Established in 1991, this ensemble incorporates much more than musicians from Philadelphia: It is an amalgam of talented artists from all over the East Coast, banded together by Conductor and Musical Director Daniel Spalding, who founded the group.
Its forward-thinking repertoire and elastic roll call have allowed it the flexibility to cover a wide range of music, including Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Ballet. It didn’t take much time for this highly acclaimed group to venture beyond Philly and embark on a series of successful tours on the national, and in some cases, international stage.
Noted appearances include their 1996 debut at Lincoln Center in New York and a subsequent gig at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall in 1998.
They have made several recordings and won awards and gained acclaim for their CDs of George Antheil’s and Howard Hanson’s compositions.
George Antheil recordings
Ballet Mecanique (Revised 1953)
Naxos 8.559060 (CD: ANTHEIL: Ballet Mecanique)
Conductor – Daniel Spalding
Serenade for String Orchestra, No. 1
Naxos 8.559060 (CD: ANTHEIL: Ballet Mecanique)
Conductor – Daniel Spalding
Symphony for Five Instruments (Second Version)
Naxos 8.559060 (CD: ANTHEIL: Ballet Mecanique)
Conductor – Daniel Spalding
Concert for Chamber Orchestra
Naxos 8.559060 (CD: ANTHEIL: Ballet Mecanique)
Conductor – Daniel Spalding
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Virtuosi_Chamber_Orchestra
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1272544-Philadelphia-Virtuosi-Chamber-Orchestra
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/philadelphia-virtuosi-chamber-orchestra-mn0001683163
- CD liner notes: Naxos 8.559060 (CD: ANTHEIL: Ballet Mecanique)