Mainz Chamber Orchestra
Mainz Chamber Orchestra
The Mainz Chamber Orchestra had been founded in 1955 by Prof. Dr. Günter Kehr, who was leading it until his death in 1989. About 40 to 50 concerts per year were given all over the world and 130 LPs and CDs were produced, including numerous broadcast recordings. The musical performance of Günther Kehr had a great influence and set standards for his period. Feeling deeply obliged to this tradition, every musician within the orchestra was entrusted with challenging musical tasks, leading to the assemblage of many adepted soloists. Often, the interpretation of a piece is developed by the musicians themselves under the direction of a concertmaster. The musicians are generally not full-time members of a symphony orchestra, but rather members of chamber music associations. This allows the rehearsals being focused on working on specific chamber musically oriented problems under the directions of the concertmasters. In doing so, a special kind of colleagueship accrued that shows itself in spontaneous, joyful musical interplay. About 20 CDs recorded in the last few years testify the orchestra's exceptional standard. After Günther Kehr's death violinist Volker Müller honorarily resumed the musical conductorship of the Chamber Orchestra of Mayence. Together with his wife, the flutist Renate Kehr, he preserves the artistic heritage of the orchestra and guides it towards new developments.
