Page 972 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

Dresden Staatskapelle

Plenty of orchestras have rich and storied histories: however, the Dresden Staatskapelle
fares better than most here. Founded in 1548, it is one of the world's oldest and most

highly regarded orchestras. Its precursor ensemble was Die Kurfürstlich-Sächsische und
Königlich-Polnische Kapelle (The Electoral Saxon and Royal Polish Orchestra). The

orchestra is the musical body of the Staatsoper Dresden (Dresden State Opera).

The Dresden band has been closely associated with several major composers. In the
nineteenth century, Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner both served as its chief

conductor, or Hofkapellmeister. Then, in the 1900s, Richard Strauss served as both
conductor of and composer for the Staatskapelle, with several of his works getting

premieres in Dresden.

Later still, the Staatskapelle became known for its characterful brass sound, heard to great
effect in the Bruckner symphonies cycle recorded in the 1970s under conductor Eugen

Jochum.

Recommended recording:

Bruckner: the Symphonies Staatskapelle Dresden/Eugen Jochum Warner Classics

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Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Leipzig Gewandhaus