Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Gulbenkian Orchestra / Lorenzo Viotti
Performers
- Conductor
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Gulbenkian Orchestra
In 1962, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation decided to establish a permanent orchestral ensemble. Originally with only twelve musicians (strings and continuo) it was named “Orquestra de Câmara Gulbenkian”. This collective was successively enlarged and today the “Orquestra Gulbenkian” (the name it has adopted since 1971) has a permanent body of sixty instrumentalists, a number that can be expanded depending on the repertoire.
This structure allows the Gulbenkian Orchestra to interpret works from the Baroque and Classical periods, a significant part of 19th century orchestral literature and much of the music of the 20th century, including works belonging to the current repertoire of the traditional symphonic orchestras. In each season, the orchestra performs on a regular series of concerts at the Gulbenkian Grand Auditorium in Lisbon, where it has had the opportunity of working together with some of leading names of the world of music (conductors and soloists). It has also performed on numerous locations all over Portugal, in an effort to decentralize music and culture.
The orchestra has been constantly expanding its activities in the international level, performing in Europe, Asia Africa, and the Americas. In the recording field, Orquestra Gulbenkian is associated to labels as Philips, Deutsche Grammophon, Hyperion, Teldec, Erato, Adès, Nimbus, Lyrinx, Naïve and Pentatone, among others, and this activity was recognized with several international prizes.
Hannu Lintu is the Music Director of the Gulbenkian Orchestra since 2023.
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Lorenzo Viotti
Conductor
Lorenzo Viotti has established himself as one of the most compelling conductors of his generation, acclaimed for his charismatic presence, emotional depth, and remarkable versatility across both symphonic and operatic repertoire.
The 2025/26 season sees him on major stages around the world, including performances with the Vienna Philharmonic, Wiener Symphoniker, Orchestre National de France, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Filarmonica della Scala, with whom he continues a fruitful collaboration. He also appears with the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, where he served as Chief Conductor until 2025. In Asia, he returns to Japan with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra ahead of becoming its Music Director in the 2026/27 season.
A passionate opera conductor, Viotti debuts at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia with Faust, and returns to Zurich Opera for Die Fledermaus and to the Vienna State Opera for Puccini’s Il Trittico. His tenure as Chief Conductor of Dutch National Opera (2021–2025) featured critically acclaimed productions such as Peter Grimes, the Amsterdam premiere of Die Fledermaus and a three years Puccini cycle in collaboration with director Barrie Kosky.
He has previously led productions at Teatro alla Scala, the Paris Opera, Zurich Opera, and the Semperoper Dresden, while his symphonic collaborations include engagements with the Berlin Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Berlin, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Cleveland Orchestra, and many others.
Born in Lausanne into a Franco-Italian family of musicians, Viotti studied piano, singing, and percussion in Lyon before continuing his conducting studies in Vienna and Weimar. He rose to international prominence after winning several major competitions, including the Nestlé Young Conductors Award at the Salzburg Festival, the MDR Symphony Orchestra Conducting Competition, and the Cadaqués International Conducting Competition. In 2017, he was named “Newcomer of the Year” at the International Opera Awards.
Programme
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 1, in C minor, op. 68
1. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro – Meno allegro
2. Andante sostenuto
3. Un poco allegretto e grazioso
4. Adagio – Più andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più allegro
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