Royal Flemish Philharmonic
The Royal Flemish Philharmonic, now named the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, has also been known by several other names. With a diverse repertory absorbed during periods of varied artistic and institutional leadership, the orchestra has attracted conductors of international caliber since the late 1990s and has recorded prolifically.
The Royal Flemish Philharmonic was founded as De Philharmonie in 1955 by musical leaders who envisioned a symphonic counterpart to the city's only major orchestra, the Flemish Opera Orchestra. The new group struggled to gain traction in its early years as its home venue, the Antwerp Royal Society for Zoology (known by its Dutch initials KDMA), was closed for renovations. It reopened under a new name, Queen Elisabeth Hall, and the orchestra has made that venue its home ever since; a new building was opened in 1985. The group also performs at other Antwerp venues as well as the Center for Fine Arts in Brussels and halls in Bruges and Ghent. Often at the behest of government bureaucrats, the orchestra changed its name several times: to De Philharmonie von Vlaanderen in 1983, to the Koninklijk Filarmonich Orkest von Vlaanderen in 1985, to the Koninklijke Filharmonie van Vlaanderen (or dePhilharmonie) in 2002, and finally to the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in 2017. The English name is generally used even in Dutch-speaking Antwerp. Major conductors have included historical-instrument specialist Philippe Herreweghe, who not only expanded his repertory into the Romantic era for the post but named as an associate Peter Rundel, noted for leading performances of 20th century music. Herreweghe was succeeded by Daniele Callegari (2002-2008), Jaap van Zweden (2008-2011), Edo de Waart (2011-2016), and the ensemble's first female conductor, Elim Chan (2019-). The orchestra has toured major European venues, including both the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Philharmonie in Munich. It has also toured Japan. Often emphasizing contemporary music in its programming since Rundel's time, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has had a resident composer since 1994. The composers who have held the post, Giya Kancheli, Robin Holloway, and Magnus Lindberg, have been world-class.
Under its various names, the orchestra has amassed a substantial catalog of recordings, including a complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies on PentaTone and a recording of Kancheli's music on ECM. As the Antwerp Symphony, it has recorded for OutHere, Phi, and BIS, as well as its former house label Royal Flemish Philharmonic; on the latter imprint, the group released a recording of Peter Benoit's Religious Tetralogy in 2019.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Dvořák: Requiem, Op. 89
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe
Masses, Passions, Requiems - Released by Phi on Mar 23, 2015
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jongen & Lazzari: Violin Concertos (Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto 18)
Philippe Graffin, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins
Classical - Released by Hyperion on Jan 4, 2015
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Igor Stravinsky : Monumentum - Mass - Symphonie de Psaumes
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PENTATONE on Apr 1, 2010
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vieuxtemps: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 etc. (Hyperion Romantic Cello Concerto 6)
Josep Caballé Domenech, Alban Gerhardt, Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Classical - Released by Hyperion on Feb 10, 2015
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 (8)
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PentaTone on Aug 7, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto 12)
Chloë Hanslip, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins
Classical - Released by Hyperion on Apr 27, 2012
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák: Stabat Mater
Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale Gent, Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Classical - Released by Phi on Mar 12, 2013
Gramophone: Recording of the Month24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Stravinsky : Threni & Requiem Canticles
Collegium Vocale Gent, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Sacred Vocal Music - Released by Phi on May 20, 2016
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Symphonies No. 1, 3 & 4
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Symphonies - Released by Phi on Nov 13, 2015
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jongen & Lazzari: Violin Concertos (Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto 18)
Philippe Graffin, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins
Classical - Released by Hyperion on Jan 4, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 and 8
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PENTATONE on Nov 1, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Symphonies 4 & 7
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PENTATONE on Apr 1, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C, "The Great"
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PentaTone on May 1, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PENTATONE on Mar 1, 2008
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven, L. Van: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 6
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Classical - Released by PENTATONE on May 1, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Piano Concertos
Martin Helmchen, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Philippe Herreweghe
Concertos - Released by PENTATONE on Sep 1, 2010
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Symphony No. 1
Michelle Breedt, Peter Auty, John Hancock, Collegium Vocale Gent, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Edo de Waart
Classical - Released by PentaTone on Sep 23, 2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vieuxtemps: Violin Concertos Nos. 4 & 5 (Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto 8)
Viviane Hagner, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins
Classical - Released by Hyperion on May 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Stenhammar: Serenade, Excelsior!, & Interlude from 'The Song'
Christian Lindberg, Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Classical - Released by BIS on Apr 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At The Edge of The World
Wim Henderickx, Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Classical - Released by Royal Flemish Philharmonic on Mar 18, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A. Samuel: Symphony No. 6 - J. Jongen: Three Symphonic Movements
Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Martyn Brabbins
Classical - Released by Royal Flemish Philharmonic on May 16, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo