Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year Award is the only Gramophone Classical Music Award decided by public vote (vote here). The 10 orchestras nominated this year are: Bayerisches Staatsorchester (Germany), Budapest Festival Orchestra (Hungary), Czech Philharmonic (Czech Republic), The Hallé (UK), Les Siècles (France), Mahler Chamber Orchestra (Europe), Oslo Philharmonic (Norway), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (USA), Sinfonia of London (UK), Vienna Philharmonic (Austria).

This week, we focus on ...

Sinfonia of London

Created, rather like the Philharmonia, as a recording orchestra, John Wilson’s Sinfonia of London revives the name (and concept) of the 1950s and ’60s ‘supergroup’ that recorded with Barbirolli and Colin Davis, not to mention setting down numerous film scores. Cast with the crème de la crème of London’s orchestral players, the Sinfonia has become a byword for outstanding corporate musicianship and palpable style. Whether in Korngold, Dutilleux, Respighi, Ravel or John Ireland, the Sinfonia magnificently captures a sound world that transfers gloriously to recordings, especially when so faithfully engineered by Chandos. Writing of Ma mère l’oye, Edward Seckerson commented that ‘Wilson and his players really capture the piquancy of these exquisite tableaux, their limpidness and fragrance, be it the Prélude with its elfin horn fanfares, the Pavane for Sleeping Beauty or the delicate willow patterning of the Empress of the Pagodas.’

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