OCL: From house music to international chamber ensemble

Self -reflection is part of this 50th birthday, says Georges Santer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg (OCL). Memories and the long line of a strong initiative do not only break from the book, which appears, among other things, for the anniversary. The long -time orchestra companion and founding father Joseph Groben and the music journalist and scene emerner Alain Steffen wrote.

In 1974 the sisters Anne and Françoise Groben and her colleague Dominique Poppe, who still plays in the orchestra, met a first house music group in Remich. It was certainly not to be expected that a chamber ensemble with engagements with engagements with engagements would become far beyond the national borders.

50 years after the foundation, after the death of the Groben sisters and the withdrawal of the long-term Joseph Groben, the father of the two exceptional musicians, the chamber ensemble has seen some new beginnings in recent years. Not every initiative was successful. But Santer is certain of the path that has currently been taken. But that should not only apply to the former diplomat.

Among other things, Santer has polished the orchestra’s statutes and initiated new conventions and financing agreements for the OCL with the city and the state. However, the noticeable will to assert can be felt not only from the decisions of the board of directors or the initiatives of the management under Sylvie Charmoy.

Professionalized internal cooperation with heart

This not only means the expanded communication in order to carry the activities more publicly, but also to strengthen your own basis. The organization is a firmer, responsibilities more clearly established. But above all, the work of trust in the musicians themselves, who come together for the up to 30 concerts in the season, can be heard at all corners and ends.

This is shown by deliberately immersing in the strongly expanded cooperations with schools and conservators and fighting for the audience or colleagues of tomorrow. Or if you integrate more into the internal processes. And if you play like in the 360-degree concert project without a conductor and approach the audience completely differently.

This better integration and strengthening of the creative people seems to have been necessary. For a long time, the chamber orchestra – once started as « Les Musiciens » – has tortured itself through harder times. After financial worries, quarrels for different leadership tips, competitive pressure with the actors in the Luxembourg market and the Corona years, confidence has been confident in time for the 50th birthday, said Santer. The warmth with each other, the pride of more international attention and team spirit has grown. That swings out between the lines of the press conference around the anniversary.

Corinna Niemeyer, who also gave itself a visible fresh face as music director for over four years, also has merit. However, she has not extended her contract. She wants to position herself musically differently, she is quoted.

Lieutenant Représintant Guillaume is the patron of the anniversary

This also means playing the birthday concert in front of the guest of honor and festival umbrella, among other things, Lieutenant-Représintant Guillaume on Thursday, May 15th, at 7.30 p.m. in the large hall of the Philharmonie with another guest conductor. In this case Carlo Rizzari. The program includes works that are supposed to reflect the orchestra’s commitment. Pablo de Sarasates « Navarra » op. 33, Robert Schumann’s cello concerto, the world premiere of the commissioned commissioned with the help of the Ministry of Culture to the Luxembourg composer Catherine Kontz, an excerpt from Mozart’s « Le Nozze di Figaro » and Prokofev’s first symphony.

The two concert champions of the OCL, the violinist Pascal Monlong and Lyonel Schmit, but also the young cellist Matis Grisó appear. He had won the Prix Anne et Françoise Groben, advertised by the orchestra in November 2024 and, in addition to this concert appearance, should also be able to dive into the orchestra as a Stagiaire with the new season and gain experience.

The recipe for the orchestra: to be wide and flexible in terms of content

All of this should reflect the orchestra’s commitment in one evening. Or as Santer emphasizes: « We want to set ourselves deliberately broadly, as a small, flexible orchestra that can offer a lot from Baroque to contemporary music, from concerts to chamber opera. We are looking for cooperation with partners in the country, especially in the region. »

This is based on a clear strategy: « We listened to what it takes in Luxembourg. There is a need in the country to accompany opera, to play the regional cultural houses and to premiered. And it is important to reduce inhibitions, to inspire young audiences and young talents for classical music. »

And after the birthday party? Among other things, the OCL wants to clarify the successor of Niemeyer in rehearsal and concert work with the new season. The orchestra should be allowed to say very well. After many siebars, six possible applicants emerged from 235 candidacies to the office of music director.

Six applicants for the music directorate are tested

Some of them should already be found among the next guest conductors. Bertie Baigent, Pavel Baleff, Mariano Chiacchiarini, Joolz Gale, Mateusz Moleda, Steve Boehm, Fabrizio Ventura and Marc Hajjar have been announced. The decision should then be made at the beginning of 2027. « But as with Corinna Niemeyer, we will rely on additional guest conductors in parallel to the naturally leading music directorate, » emphasizes Santer.

All information about the work of the OCL and ticket booking options for the birthday concert on May 15th at 7.30 p.m. in the Philharmonie can be found at www.ocl.lu