Norrköping Symphony Orchestra

The Norrköping Symphony Orchestra (Swedish: Norrköpings Symfoniorkester) is a Swedish professional symphony orchestra founded in 1912, based at the concert hall De Geerhallen, in Norrköping. In 1911, Sweden's Riksdag decides on state support for orchestras. In 1912, the Norrköpings Orkesterförening was formed. The orchestra itself consists of around 30 amateur musicians. The premiere concert is given in St. Olai church on April 28, 1912, with Edvard Düring as conductor. 1913: Hörsalen Meanwhile, Johannis' church in central Norrköping is being rebuilt into a concert hall. In 1913, it was inaugurated as the Hörsalen. In the same year, the government gives state support to Norrköpings Orkesterförening. 1925: First tour Ivar Hellman is hired as chief conductor for 25 professional musicians. The repertoire consists largely of overtures, which suits the small orchestra. The very first tour was carried out in 1925, and went to Småland. Already at this time, the orchestra plays regularly in other places in the county, such as Linköping, and holds several school concerts a year. 1931: First general program In 1931, the season is presented for the first time in a general programme. Principal conductor Tord Benner modernizes the repertoire with works by composers such as Beck and Korngold. During the 1940s, the orchestra grew to 32 members. Chief conductor Heinz Freudenthal creates the "Kakhus concerts", popular concerts that are played in Järnvägsparken during the summer. In 1954, the later world-famous Herbert Blomstedt became chief conductor. 1961: First administrator Until now, all administrative work has been handled by the board, but just in time for the 50th anniversary in 1961/62, the orchestra employs an administrator. In the same season, the international career begins, when chief conductor Everett Lee takes the orchestra on its very first trip abroad, to Trondheim. In 1967, the orchestra changed its name to Norrköpings Symfoniorkester (the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra). The first tour outside of Scandinavia takes place in 1978, in Austria. Several fine conductors pass by – Kamu, Salonen, Saraste and others – and in 1986 Franz Welser-Möst takes over as chief conductor. He stays until 1991, leads unforgettable Viennese waltzes at the Epiphany Concerts - and he too goes on to become a world star. 1994: De Geer Hall In the landmark year 1994, SON goes on tour to Japan with chief conductor Junichi Hirokami. In the autumn, SON moves into its new home, De Geerhallen in the new concert building Louis De Geer. The orchestra grows from 74 to 86 musicians. SON goes on tour to China in 2002 with chief conductor Lü Jia. In the same year, SON receives a gold disc for 10,000 sold copies of the CD "Nordic Classical Favourites". 2012: Celebrating 100 years In 2012, the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra celebrates 100 years. Both Herbert Blomstedt and Franz Welser-Möst return to lead the orchestra. Principal conductor Michael Francis and soloist Anne-Sophie Mutter donate their gage from one of this year's concerts to a fund, which finances a composition competition for young composers. In 2013, the orchestra received a gift of one million kronor from the spouses Lennart and Marianne Lindqvist, via the newly established fund "Fond of Music". In 2015, the orchestra won its second Grammis, with the recording of Allan Pettersson's ninth symphony, with Christian Lindberg as conductor. A recognition for the great Allan Pettersson project that the orchestra has been running in collaboration with Lindberg and the record company BIS since 2013. The project consists of recording all of Pettersson's symphonies, and also other major orchestral works.