The Orchestra – kammerphilharmonie graubünden

Originally named the «Bündner Kammerorchester BKO», the orchestra was established by its former conductor, Christoph Cajöri and a group of dedicated musicians from the area. Today the kammerphilharmonie graubünden enjoys an established position in the cultural landscape of the canton of the Grisons.
The orchestra has concerts in the large concert halls and the easily accessible towns of the area, as well as in the lesser known smaller hidden valleys and communities of the mountainous Grisons. Works by local Grisonian composers are included on a regular basis in the programme. Commissions for new compositions have also been given, e.g.: the «Concert for Clarinette» by Gion Antoni Derungs (world premiere 1989); «Quadro Stagione» by Mario Giovanoli (world premiere 1993); compositions by Martin Derungs, Robert Grossmann and David Sontòn-Caflisch, written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of the painter, Giovanni Segantini, 1999.
It is the particular desire of the ensemble to provide its audiences with an exciting and colourful programme. Along side of popular and well-known works out of the classic symphonic repertoire and solo concerts, a number of unusual and unconventional concerts have been given: Vivaldi’s well-known «Quattro Stagioni» played in contrast to the «Seasonal Songs» by the Tecino female singer, La Lupa; in the project, «Grenzgänge», compositions by the two Grisonians, Fortunat Frölich and Domenic Janett merged the music of the orchestra, a Swiss folk ensemble and a free jazz group. In the summer of 1995, the Bündner Kammerorchester was given the opportunity – in the course of the anniversary festivities for the Graubündner Kantonalbank – to work together with the opera programme, «La Grande Festa» and with a salon-music programme. Around 10’000 Grisonians were able to experience the BKO live. New concert series include: «Kammerphilharmonie and the Cinema» (Charlie Chaplin films), «Bach in May», and the «1st of April» concerts.
Choir accompaniment makes up an important part of the orchestra’s work. The works are most often sacred, but in 1997, the orchestra played for the musical, «Fiddler on the Roof» («Anatevka»), in Laax. Opera productions have become a regular emphasis of the BKO. In the «Mozart summer» of 2001, the orchestra played «Don Giovanni» for the Schloss Opera Haldenstein. In the following year was the world premiere of Robert Grossmann’s adaptation of Thomas Mann’s, «The Magic Mountain» («Der Zauberberg»). In 2003, «The Magic Flute» («Zauberflöte») by Mozart was on the programme, again together with the Schloss Opera Haldenstein.
At the premiere of «The Magic Flute» on August 8th, the former «Bündner Kammerorchester» was newly christened, kammerphilharmonie graubünden. Marcus Bosch, conductor, has had a decisive influence on the qualitative excellence of this orchestra. Regular invitations have been given to play in the Tonhalle in Zurich, the World Music Festival Kerkrade (NL), the Bad Homburger Kultursommer (D), and to various music festivals within Switzerland and in the neighbouring countries. Single concerts throughout Switzerland have received enthusiastic press critique. Positive audience reaction confirms the newly attained reputation of excellence.

Translated by Lynne Mathews