In May, the Residentie Orkest will travel to Ljubljana and Salzburg for four concerts. A great opportunity to strengthen the team spirit of our musicians, share our music and bring the orchestra to the international limelight. All under the direction of conductor Ruth Reinhardt and each evening with star pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason behind the concert grand piano.

The Residentie Orkest has a rich history of international touring. Ever since its founding in 1904, 120 years ago this season, the orchestra has made dozens of large and small musical tours. Virtually all corners of the world have been traveled: Europe, North and South America and Asia. The first concert trip abroad was in 1910 and went - by boat - to London and soon followed Paris and Brussels.

Dancing

Starting in the 1960s, the orchestra went further and further afield. For example, the United States was traveled no less than six times for weeks at a time, but Japan, China and South America were also visited. One of the first trips captured on film was a short tour to England in 1949. Then violinist Karel Ligtenberg enthusiastically recounted the trip via Schiphol Airport where four planes were needed to transport all the orchestra members and instruments. They flew to Manchester where the Hallé Orchestra was waiting for them to fly to the Netherlands. During a day off, one of the musicians sat down behind the piano at an inn to cheer up the suspicious guests. This succeeded; there was dancing!

Connection

Because of the many different programs in different line-ups, our musicians do not see each other every week. Especially a tour is therefore invaluable to keep in touch or to get to know each other better. Making music together in a different environment strengthens the bond between the musicians and helps them develop further. That group feeling contributes to the quality of the orchestra. So it cuts both ways. Sven Arne Tepl: "I am very much looking forward to the tour to Ljubljana and Salzburg where we get to perform in prestigious venues. We have a full and challenging program but we have also worked hard on that. It is good that we get to compete with orchestras of the international stage in these important musical cities."