Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra (in Norwegian Det Norske Kammerorchester), growing from a student ensemble, has achieved international success via high-profile tours. The ensemble has worked with many prestigious soloists and guest conductors.
The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra’s roots date back to 1975 when violinist Bjarne Fiskum brought together a group of student musicians in Oslo to perform summer concerts. Realizing the need for a small orchestra in the city, conductor Terje Tønnesen formally established the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra two years later. He has served as the music director for the orchestra’s entire existence, stepping down only in the summer of 2021. From 1981 to 2001, violinist Iona Brown served as the co-artistic director; her successor in that position, beginning in 2009, was violinist Isabelle van Keulen. Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes began a stint as the principal guest conductor in 2002, and the orchestra has attracted many high-profile guest conductors and collaborators, including clarinetist Martin Fröst and cellist Steven Isserlis. The orchestra’s membership is flexible, enabling the group to undertake a wide range of players, but a core group has provided artistic continuity. The orchestra has, at various times, used the University of Oslo as a home base but has also performed in other Norwegian concert halls and has toured repeatedly in Europe, Asia, and North America.
The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra began recording shortly after its formation, backing flutist Per Øien on the album Virtuoso Flute Concerti of the Baroque on the BIS label in 1978. The group has recorded more than 25 albums that have appeared on BIS, Lawo Classics, Simax, and other labels, performing a wide range of repertory from Scandinavian music to early 20th century works to Classical and Romantic standards. In 2021, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra joined violinist Pekka Kuusisto on an album of works by Nico Muhly and Philip Glass. ~ James Manheim