Driven by the passion and inspiration of its musicians, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn (WKO) is a byword for constantly developing individual sound culture. The WKO represents in exemplary manner the spectrum of a distinguished chamber orchestra, from its ability to deliver a splendid orchestral sound, to its chamber music transparency, to the musicians’ facility for working closely together and listening to each other. Such skills in particular predestines the WKO to work closely together with many internationally outstanding soloists. The WKO is a popular guest ensemble on renowned concert stages and at festivals including the Royal Albert Hall London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Vienna Musikverein, the Berliner Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Herkulessaal Munich, Rheingau Musik Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, the Mozartfest Würzburg and the Kissinger Sommer. Concert tours take the WKO around the globe, most recently to Korea, Spain, Cambodia, Hong Kong and China. In addition to concerts, recordings have always played an important role in the orchestra’s life. Many of these recordings have been singled out to receive awards. The WKO is the lifetime achievement of its conductor Jörg Faerber. He founded the ensemble in 1960 and led it rapidly to international fame thanks to his visionarydedication. In 2002 the Armenian-born conductor Ruben Gazarian was made artistic director; he consistently expanded the WKO’s repertoire. The young American conductor Case Scaglione has been principal conductor of the WKO since the 2018/19 season. In their short time together, under Case’s leadership, WKO collaborates with distinguished soloists such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Yeol Eum Son, Alisa Weilerstein, Leila Josefowicz, Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, Simone Lamsma, Johannes Moser, Julian Steckel, Sharon Kam and Stefan Dohr.
Photo: Sonja Werner/Adrian Borda
