It is a real thrill for me to watch and listen to mostly young people get together and perform the music that I love. Last night I watched a DVD of a dedicated group of people, all members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. They played the Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius, the Symphony number 2 by Robert Schumann, and some shorter works.
I wintnessed such joy! And such excellence of playing. The sound does not lie, and the video shows the great collaboration and excellence in dynamics as led by conductor Vladimir Ashkenazi.
The woman whom I saw perform at the Concertmaster position was Lorenza Borrani. She seemed very self assured, highly musical, and an excellent leader.
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE), established in 1981, is administratively based in London. The orchestra comprises about 60 members coming from across Europe. The players pursue parallel careers as international soloists, members of eminent chamber groups, and as tutors and professors of music. The orchestra receives substantial support from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Underwood Trust. They have no single home resident hall and no appointed resident conductor.
Here is violinist Lorenza Borrani in action:
