Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera

In 2001 the Landeskapelle Altenburg and the Philharmonische Orchester Gera merged to form one ensemble that, under the current direction of General Music Director Laurent Wagner, feels a deep connection to the centuries-old musical tradition of both cities. The orchestral concert programs focus on the rich music tradition of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, the music the 20^th century—particularly the works of composers ostracized by the Nazis—and the classics of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. The Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera performs compelling concerts that are also attracting major attention outside of east Thuringia. Recordings with MDR KULTUR and Deutschlandfunk Kultur are cementing the orchestra’s national reputation.

Along with renowned soloists such as Bernd Glemser, Antje Weithaas, Martin Funda and Loïc Schneider, who have given guest performances in past seasons, highly talented young soloists regularly perform with the Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera. The musicians are also dedicated to the performance of chamber music, especially in the Sunday foyer concerts which have been regularly held in Gera since 1985 and the chamber concerts in Altenburg. Among the smaller musical ensembles are, in particular, the Reußische Kammerorchester, Ensemble diX, and the Thüringen Harmonie.

In 2017/18 the Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera was selected for federal funding to encourage and foster orchestral excellence in Germany; a project focused on the music of the future will be realized in the eastern regions in 2018 and 2019. And starting in the 2018/19 concert season is an especially broad and diverse professional training program for young musicians at the Dual Orchestra Academy Thüringen which has just been established by the Jenaer Philharmonie and the Theater&Philharmonie Thüringen with funding from the Free State of Thuringia.