Philharmonie Festiva, Gerd Schaller

Founded in 2008 by Gerd Schaller, the Philharmonie Festiva is a symphony orchestra comprised of selected exceptional musicians from a number of Germany's top orchestras. Right from the outset, the conductor and his musicians were attracted by the incentive and the challenge of creating a sound all their very own: an exciting task, because the instrumentalists bring with them a host of different ideas about sound as a result of their work in their various 'home orchestras' - and yet this is also a highly appealing undertaking, because nothing is set in stone in the Philharmonie Festiva; there is always scope for new experiences and experiments. Out of this there emerges a feeling among the musicians that they are creating something new, something mutual, a fact that makes each new project by this ensemble into a very special experience. Schaller has set out with this very special orchestra to re-discover works in the field of symphonic repertoire by cultivating a common musical signature, while also performing seldom heard or forgotten works. Schaller sees the much acclaimed Bruckner cycle, praised by audiences and critics alike, as the core focal point: together with the Philharmonie Festiva he is staging concerts featuring all versions of Bruckner's symphonies and recording them for release as CD albums.

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

• Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major “Romantic” Version 1888