Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (German: Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, or RSO Wien) is the orchestra of the Austrian national broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF). Founded in 1969 with the name of the ORF-Symphonieorchester (ORF Symphony Orchestra), it is the only radio orchestra in the country. It acquired its current name in 1996.
The orchestra performs in a number of venues, including the following:
- Radiokulturhaus, Vienna
- Konzerthaus, Vienna
- Theater an der Wien
- Musikverein
Unlike most other Austrian orchestras, the RSO Wien has a substantial focus on contemporary classical music.
Milan Horvat was the orchestra's first chief conductor, from 1969 to 1975. During the tenure of Bertrand de Billy as chief conductor, from 2002 to 2010, he had disputes with management over funding and the continuing status of the orchestra.[1] In January 2009, the RSO Wien announced the appointment of Cornelius Meister as its seventh chief conductor, effective with the 2010-2011 season and with an initial contract through August 2014.[2] Meister has conducted the Vienna RSO in a commercial recording of the music of Gottfried von Einem.
Chief conductors
- Milan Horvat (1969–1975)
- Leif Segerstam (1975–1982)
- Lothar Zagrosek (1982–1986)
- Pinchas Steinberg (1989–1996)
- Dennis Russell Davies (1996–2002)
- Bertrand de Billy (2002–2010)
- Cornelius Meister (2010–present)
