PHILADELPHIA VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra is a distinguished ensemble with a fast-growing international reputation for excellence. Praised for its "innovative programming" by the Philadelphia Inquirer, the orchestra’s electric performances are often described by the press with comments such as "captivating" (London Observer), "dazzling" (Palm Beach Daily News), "exciting" (San Francisco Examiner), "breathtaking" (Bermuda Royal Gazette), and "magnificent" (San Bernardino County Sun). Composed of some of the region’s foremost musicians, the group was founded in 1991 by music director and conductor Daniel Spalding. Under his baton, the orchestra performs an annual concert series in Center City Philadelphia, as well as in unusual venues throughout the region designed to reach new audiences. The orchestra’s vast repertoire encompasses Baroque to Modern. Programs often include new discoveries of less-known works, world premieres, and arrangements written especially for the Philadelphia Virtuosi, as well as standard repertoire, sometimes performed with creative visual effects such as special lighting or stage movement.

Since 1996, the Philadelphia Virtuosi has been in constant demand outside its home city and is often on the road. The orchestra has performed at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie (Weill Recital) Hall, the Bermuda Festival, on three extensive tours to South America, and in virtually every region of the United States. The orchestra is also known for its impressive series of recordings on the Connoisseur Society label, New World Records, and on Naxos. Their recording of the music of American composer George Antheil for the Naxos American Classics Series (8.559060, including the enigmatic Ballet Mecanique) was "Editor’s Choice" for Gramophone, chosen as "CD of the week" by BBC Radio 3 and the London Observer, and as one of the top 10 classical CD’s of 2001 by the Chicago Tribune.

July 2006

Albums featuring this artist are available for download from ClassicsOnline.com

Role: Orchestra
Album Title	Catalogue No	Work Category