The Paris Concert 1949

Thomas Zehetmair . Conductor
Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Johann Sebastian Bach:
Brandenburg Concertos 1, 2 & 3 BWV 1046-1048
Concerto for two violins in D minor BWV 1043

"After the end of the concerts, which were broadcast by Radio Paris, the enthusiasm knew no bounds. The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra was immediately engaged for forty further concerts in France, Spain and South America." (Wiesbadener Kurier, November 1949)

A new era begins with the appearance of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra under Karl Münchinger at the "Festival Jean Sébastien Bach" in Paris. The SKO is not only one of the first chamber orchestras of its kind in the world and becomes a role model for other orchestras - also thanks to the first LP recordings on DECCA. Above all, it was the first German ensemble to be invited by France, one of the former enemy powers. And it embodied a liberating sound ideal: flawless homogeneity, unprecedented lightness and joy of playing, a rejection of the false pathos of the Nazi regime. After two world wars, the jubilation in Paris marked the end of an ice age. It is balm for the soul for all those present and for all those who take part via radio and the international press. The SKO continues to pursue its mission of connecting people across national borders to this day. Celebrate the success story of 80 years with the program from Paris under chief conductor Thomas Zehetmair and with the whole orchestra!

18:00 Talk round with long-time companions about moving stories and curious experiences of the SKO; moderator: Susanne Benda
20:30 Reception with circle of friends and guests of honor

Sponsored by the Wolfgang Carl Friedrich Grosse & Renate Elly Wald Foundation