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The Limburg Symphony Orchestra today
In 2008, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra celebrated 125 years of existence, making it one of the Netherlands' oldest professional symphony orchestras. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra gives more than one hundred performances a season and occupies a significant place within the province's cultural life. In addition to its symphonic offerings, the orchestra provides Opera Zuid with accompaniment, works with various choirs and runs an extensive education programme.
Ed Spanjaard has been the orchestra's principal conductor and artistic advisor since August 2001. Ed Spanjaard and the orchestra have created a name for themselves with their broad repertoire in which both famous and lesser-known works and contemporary music are given a place to shine.
The orchestra not only plays in the Province of Limburg's larger cities, it also plays the Netherlands' and Euregion's larger stages on a regular basis. In 2009, more than 90,000 visitors came to see the orchestra perform.
In recent years, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra has continued its artistic development. The orchestra has also managed to reach more of the public with a sophisticated programme of high-quality, highly varied series of concerts, interspersed with inviting, public-friendly concerts. These concerts are not just held in concert halls; some of them take place in the open air and at specific locations.
Over the past few years, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra and its principal conductor, Ed Spanjaard, have released two special and celebrated CDs: one with Fauré’s Requiem with the Dutch Chamber Choir and one with works by Wagner including the Wesendonck Lieder sung by Charlotte Margiono. The orchestra also recently released a CD with Daphnis and Chloé from Ravel. It is a recording of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra led by its principal conductor, Ed Spanjaard, in cooperation with Studium Chorale.
Henri Broeren is the orchestra's general manager. In mid-July 2009, the orchestra presented its new policy plan, which sets out its vision for development from now through to 2018. The orchestra is subsidised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Province of Limburg and the Municipality of Maastricht.
Find out more about our concerts here: http://www.lso.nl/concert.asp
Henri Broeren is the orchestra's general manager. In mid-July 2009, the orchestra presented its new policy plan, which sets out its vision for development from now through to 2018. The orchestra is subsidised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Province of Limburg and the Municipality of Maastricht.
Find out more about our concerts here: http://www.lso.nl/concert.asp
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra: by and for us all!
After the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra has one of the largest Friends associations in the Netherlands, with more than 3,000 members. The orchestra hopes to grow this circle of friends to 4,000 members. The orchestra’s sponsors are also generous in their support.The Limburg Symphony Orchestra is based in the city of Maastricht.
During the 2007-2008 season, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra celebrated nothing less than its 125th birthday. The orchestra opened its 125th season with a programme of Tchaikovsky’s music in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and finished the season with an incredible jubilee concert on 2 September 2008 with Queen Beatrix in attendance. When we look back on more than a century of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, we can state ‘The Limburg Symphony Orchestra is by and for us all’.
During the 2007-2008 season, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra celebrated nothing less than its 125th birthday. The orchestra opened its 125th season with a programme of Tchaikovsky’s music in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and finished the season with an incredible jubilee concert on 2 September 2008 with Queen Beatrix in attendance. When we look back on more than a century of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, we can state ‘The Limburg Symphony Orchestra is by and for us all’.
The history of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra was founded in the year 1883. The history of the Netherlands' oldest existent symphony orchestra starts with a performance by the Maastricht Stedelijk Orkest (Maastricht Municipal Orchestra, MSO). The concert took place on 2 September 1883 in the Maastricht Municipal Gardens under the musical direction of conductor and composer Otto Wolf.
After a period of more than 30 years, Mr Wolf gave his last concert with the MSO on 19 December 1915. The actual structure of the orchestra and the pursuit of perfection were left to his successor, a true blue Limburger, Henri Hermans. Mr Hermans ushered in an era of modernisation as he was highly multifaceted and had breadth of vision.
After a period of more than 30 years, Mr Wolf gave his last concert with the MSO on 19 December 1915. The actual structure of the orchestra and the pursuit of perfection were left to his successor, a true blue Limburger, Henri Hermans. Mr Hermans ushered in an era of modernisation as he was highly multifaceted and had breadth of vision.
As the orchestra grew, the MSO expanded its range of activities throughout the entire province over the course of the 1920s, and in the 1930s, they held regular concerts in the Province of Brabant and in Belgium. In 1930, the KRO signed an agreement with the MSO, which gave this broadcasting association the right to record and/or broadcast a certain number of concerts live each year.
The following economic difficulties, rising unemployment and the start of the Second World War meant a few lean years for the MSO. During this time, the orchestra was placed on a back burner and, due to a lack of funds, the orchestra had to let a number of 'dilettantes' or semi-professionals go. In 1943, the orchestra celebrated its 60th anniversary in the form of a jubilee concert. Its first official concert after the Netherlands had been liberated from German occupation was not held until 26 November 1944.
The following economic difficulties, rising unemployment and the start of the Second World War meant a few lean years for the MSO. During this time, the orchestra was placed on a back burner and, due to a lack of funds, the orchestra had to let a number of 'dilettantes' or semi-professionals go. In 1943, the orchestra celebrated its 60th anniversary in the form of a jubilee concert. Its first official concert after the Netherlands had been liberated from German occupation was not held until 26 November 1944.
Paul Hupperts & Andries Antonie Rieu
Conductor Paul Hupperts was appointed to the position of the orchestra's permanent conductor on 1 January 1947. Henri Hermans died on 24 February 1947. Henri Hermans himself had trained Paul Hupperts and Mr Hupperts was now faced with the difficult task of continuing his work.
Andries Antonie Rieu was appointed to the position of the MSO’s permanent conductor on 1 September 1949 and held this position for 31 years. Rieu was known for being the controversial type; not so much regarding his knowledge and skill but for how he treated his musicians. He was a man who inspired incredible loyalty from his friends, but who also had bitter enemies - something that indirectly influenced the orchestra's history. Experts describe the "Rieu Period" as "Rich in conflict, structural changes, and defeats, but also in successes and significant events in terms of musical history."
The creation of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra Foundation
At the end of the season on 10 May 1955, the municipal council decided to discontinue the MSO in order to set up a new provincial orchestra. The new orchestra would be an independent foundation and would be named "Limburgs Symphonie Orkest" (The Limburg Symphony Orchestra). This meant that from then on, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra was included in national and regional subsidy schemes.
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra's history began on 13 July 1955, when the Limburg Symphony Orchestra Foundation was brought to life. The formation of this new orchestra meant the permanently appointed orchestral musicians were honourably discharged from municipal service. Each orchestral musician was then reappointed to the new foundation, which also took over all current contracts and agreements.
On 1 January 1960, the ministry gave the Limburg Symphony Orchestra permission to increase its total complement of subsidised positions to 72. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra was the final Dutch orchestra to be granted this permission. However, its financial position was such that this kind of expansion was not a valid option.
At the start of the 1982/1983 season, no one knew for sure if the orchestra would continue. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra battled on after being pared down to 52 subsidised jobs - the worst threat had been temporarily neutralised.
The orchestra celebrated its 100th birthday on 2 September 1983, a century to the day of the first MSO concert conducted by Otto Wolf. The conductor was now Ed Spanjaard, who has led the orchestra since his instatement in 1982. He has been the principal conductor since August 2001. That which began as a purely Maastricht affair, grew over the course of a century into a jewel in Limburg’s cultural crown - a jewel of which any Limburger can be proud.
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra's history began on 13 July 1955, when the Limburg Symphony Orchestra Foundation was brought to life. The formation of this new orchestra meant the permanently appointed orchestral musicians were honourably discharged from municipal service. Each orchestral musician was then reappointed to the new foundation, which also took over all current contracts and agreements.
On 1 January 1960, the ministry gave the Limburg Symphony Orchestra permission to increase its total complement of subsidised positions to 72. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra was the final Dutch orchestra to be granted this permission. However, its financial position was such that this kind of expansion was not a valid option.
At the start of the 1982/1983 season, no one knew for sure if the orchestra would continue. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra battled on after being pared down to 52 subsidised jobs - the worst threat had been temporarily neutralised.
The orchestra celebrated its 100th birthday on 2 September 1983, a century to the day of the first MSO concert conducted by Otto Wolf. The conductor was now Ed Spanjaard, who has led the orchestra since his instatement in 1982. He has been the principal conductor since August 2001. That which began as a purely Maastricht affair, grew over the course of a century into a jewel in Limburg’s cultural crown - a jewel of which any Limburger can be proud.
Period of artistic growth
Various conductors have taken the helm from 1982 through 2000, including Salvador Mas Conde (1988/1994), Shlomo Mintz (1995/1998) and Junichi Hirokami (1998/2000). This period of time is viewed as one of artistic and organisational stability. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra gained international recognition through its artistic growth. Famous foreign conductors and soloists were now prepared more than ever to work with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra. However, its regional connections and interests have never been forgotten, not for a second.
The appointment of Ed Spanjaard as principal conductor
Ed Spanjaard was appointed to the position of principal conductor at the start of the 2000/2001 season.
The level of artistry that the Limburg Symphony Orchestra has reached has given them their own personal place in Limburg's rich cultural life. The orchestra provides a complete symphonic offering not only in Limburg but beyond provincial borders too. The Limburg Symphony Orchestra regularly holds concerts in Belgium and Germany. Moreover, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra accompanies musical dramatic productions, choirs and educational projects as regular productions.
Vision
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra
Music expresses that which we cannot put into words. It speaks to places in us that life’s daily grind pushes into the background. Music brings us closer to ourselves and others, thereby raising our quality of life. Based on this simple premise, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra wants to perform as much music from our Western culture as possible to as many people as possible. In its programme, the Limburg Symphony Orchestra plays an ever-changing slice of the symphonic music from the past three hundred years. The orchestra simultaneously invests in continuing and developing that tradition. The LSO stands firmly in the present and very much wants to commit to the developments of our time. The orchestra achieves this, for example, by having new music written, sometimes through collaborations with others, and then playing this music at a variety of locations.
The orchestra disseminates its love for music at a high level within its home region, throughout the Netherlands and internationally. And so the LSO contributes to the cultural environment's cohesion. The LSO carries out its activities with an organisation where mutual trust reigns and in which the pleasure and zeal of making music and organising can be felt and seen at every level. The pride the musicians and co-workers feel for their orchestra is expressed in a natural manner.
The orchestra feels that its vision is supported by a loyal public, a growing friends association, its subsidisers and its many sponsors, partners (in the media and elsewhere), and patrons.
The orchestra feels that its vision is supported by a loyal public, a growing friends association, its subsidisers and its many sponsors, partners (in the media and elsewhere), and patrons.
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra sounds better with Friends!
The Limburg Symphony Orchestra Friends Association was created as a private initiative in 1990. It was a gesture of support for the orchestra, which was in danger of being discontinued at the time. The Friends Association currently boasts approximately 3,300 Friends and is therefore one of the largest Friends Association of any symphony orchestra in the Netherlands.
Support for the Orchestra
The financial support provided by the Friends enables the orchestra to attract top soloists and well-known guest conductors, produce unique CD and DVD recordings and hold concerts at special locations. Money is also made available for lectures, music courses and various educational projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Over the past few years, the orchestra has realised the following projects with the Friends’ financial support.
2005 CD recording of Fauré's Requiem
2005 Flamenco concert La Vida Breve by De Falla during the World Music Competition in Kerkrade and in the Concertgebouw orchestra
2006 Mozart's Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2006 CD recording of Wagnerliederen with the Soprano Charlotte Margiono
2007 and 2008 St Matthew Passion at the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht
2007 Verdi Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2008 Jubilee concert in Limburg at various special outdoor locations
2008 Brahms Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2009 Dvorak Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2009 Purchase of an electrical piano to benefit an educational project in schools and in the theatre.
2005 Flamenco concert La Vida Breve by De Falla during the World Music Competition in Kerkrade and in the Concertgebouw orchestra
2006 Mozart's Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2006 CD recording of Wagnerliederen with the Soprano Charlotte Margiono
2007 and 2008 St Matthew Passion at the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht
2007 Verdi Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2008 Jubilee concert in Limburg at various special outdoor locations
2008 Brahms Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2009 Dvorak Requiem concert at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten
2009 Purchase of an electrical piano to benefit an educational project in schools and in the theatre.
Board of Directors
Mr A.J.H.C. Hawinkels, Chairman
Ms J. Smeets, Secretary/Membership Records
Mr P.L.M. Geraets, Treasurer
Ms I. Griede, PR and Communication
Mr P. Pans, Marketing and Fund Raising
Mr J. Joosten, Sittard-Geleen Working Group
Mr L. Imkamp, Roermond Working Group
Mr B.T. de Koningh, Venlo Working Group
Mr H. Villevoye, Honorary Member
Mr A.J.H.C. Hawinkels, Chairman
Ms J. Smeets, Secretary/Membership Records
Mr P.L.M. Geraets, Treasurer
Ms I. Griede, PR and Communication
Mr P. Pans, Marketing and Fund Raising
Mr J. Joosten, Sittard-Geleen Working Group
Mr L. Imkamp, Roermond Working Group
Mr B.T. de Koningh, Venlo Working Group
Mr H. Villevoye, Honorary Member
The board of directors can be contacted through the Friends Association's secretary:
Friends Association's secretary - Evelien Heijna
PO Box 405, 6200 AK Maastricht
Tel. 043 – 350 7013
Email vrienden@limburgssymfonieorkest.nl
CoC 40205154
Bank account 67.14.76.912
Mecenasfonds bank account 66.53.68.216
Bank account 67.14.76.912
Mecenasfonds bank account 66.53.68.216