Originally founded: 1948 - England, as Goldsbrough Orchestra
Renamed: 1960 - as English Chamber Orchestra

The English Chamber Orchestra (= ECO), has its roots in the Goldsbrough Orchestra, founded in 1948 by Lawrence Leonard and Arnold Goldsbrough. The group took its current name in 1960, when it expanded its repertoire from outside the Baroque period for the first time.

The ECO is one of the world's most celebrated ensembles. It is London's only full-time chamber orchestra, undertaking a busy schedule of recording sessions and concert appearances at home and abroad, including its prestigious London Concert Series presented by the English Chamber Orchestra & Music Society under the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Their long association with Benjamin Britten is already part of English musical history. Other famous collaborations include those with Sir Colin Davis, Daniel Barenboim, Raymond Leppard, Mitsuko Uchida, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman. Most recently, the Orchestra appointed the young British conductor, Paul Goodwin, as principal guest conductor.

The ECO's reputation is enhanced by its recordings of over a thousand works and includes numerous award-winning albums as well as those of historical interest.

Source: Gankarjev Dom Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (July 2001)

Raymond Leppard: Short Biography | English Chamber Orchestra | Recordings

Ian Watson: Ian Watson | English Chamber Orchestra | Recordings

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Benjamin Britten

Orchestra

BWV 102, BWV 151, BWV 245 [sung in English]

Arnold Goldsbrough

Conductor

BWV 50 (as Goldsbrough Orchestra)

Philip Ledger

Orchestra

BWV 11, BWV 34

Charles Mackerras

Orchestra

The Wise Virgins, suite from the ballet (arranged music of J.S. Bach)

Simon Preston

Orchestra

BWV 243a

Barry Rose

Orchestra

Selections from BWV 147, BWV 508 [w/ soprano Kiri Te Kanawa]

Uri Segal

Orchestra

Arias from BWV 51, BWV 208

Johannes Somary

Orchestra

BWV 11, BWV 80, BWV 232, BWV 244

Paul Steinitz

Orchestra

BWV 10, BWV 47, BWV 241 (?); Selections from BWV 10, BWV 38, BWV 47, BWV 78, BWV 93, BWV 95, BWV 140, BWV 143, BWV 147, BWV 299, BWV 461, BWV 478, BWV 505

Links to other Sites

English Chamber Orchestra (Official Website)

Golden Season - English Chamber Orchestra

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