Denis Matsuev, Rainer Honeck, Kammerorchester Wien-Berlin, Gabor Tarkovi - Shostakovich / Schnittke / Lutosławski (2020) [Hi-Res]

Since its foundation in 2008, the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin has enjoyed storied success. Comprised of leading members of the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker, the ensemble combines the unbridled sound beauty of both top orchestras in their agile, chamber music-like playing. The cornerstone for this ensemble was laid by Sir Simon Rattle with his wish to conduct a joint concert with both the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker for his 50th birthday: the playing was so inspiring that the desire for continuing this shared experience immediately arose. From this idea, the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin was born.

Today, under the artistic direction of Rainer Honeck (concertmaster of the Wiener Philharmoniker), the musicians meet regularly to perform chamber works outside the great philharmonic repertoire, while they are frequently joined by the most sought-after soloists of our time, such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Jonas Kaufmann, Yuja Wang, Thomas Quasthoff, Yuri Bashmet, Yefim Bronfman, Antoine Tamestit, Denis Matsuev, Rudolf Buchbinder, Daniel Müller-Schott, and Gautier Capuçon. The orchestra celebrated its US debut in 2019 with the concerts there with Anne-Sophie Mutter the crowning conclusion of a spectacular tour that saw enthusiastic audiences in 25 venues, such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Vienna Musikverein, as well as in Athens, Madrid, Lucerne, and Berlin.

Deutsche Grammophon now presents the Kammerorchester Wien – Berlin’s first recording on the Yellow Label which includes a premiere recording on DG of Schnittke’s Concerto For Piano And String Orchestra, Op. 136, alongside works by Shostakovich and Lutosławski.