Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year Award is the only Gramophone Classical Music Award decided by public vote (vote here). The 10 orchestras nominated this year are: Bayerisches Staatsorchester (Germany), Budapest Festival Orchestra (Hungary), Czech Philharmonic (Czech Republic), The Hallé (UK), Les Siècles (France), Mahler Chamber Orchestra (Europe), Oslo Philharmonic (Norway), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (USA), Sinfonia of London (UK), Vienna Philharmonic (Austria).

This week, we focus on ...

The Hallé

For years this storied Manchester-based ensemble was linked to the name of Sir John Barbirolli (its Principal Conductor from 1943 to ’70), but after 22 glorious years, The Hallé-Sir Mark Elder partnership has also become the stuff of legend. Thanks to the establishment of its own label, The Hallé’s recent performances, and consistently high standards, have been available for all to hear. A Vaughan Williams symphony cycle, recently completed, has renewed the orchestra’s traditional relationship with the composer and delivered some truly glorious music-making, with a Ninth, as Andrew Achenbach comments, ‘that should … be sought out by all admirers of the composer’.

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