Selection of Press Reviews from Concerts
"Dirigenten loben diesen "Botschafter der Europäischen Union" in den höchsten Tönen. Aber wie gut die Musiker auch ohne lenkende Hand auskommen, zeigten sie im dritten Konzert der Reihe "Philharmonie für Einsteiger" mit Werken der Wiener Klassik und der Nachkriegsmoderne. Man staunte über das perfekt abgestimmte, rhytmisch präzise und dynamische sehr variable Orchesterspiel."
["Conductors speak of this "Ambassador for the European Union" in the highest terms. But the musicians demonstrated how good they were without a guiding hand in this third concert of the series "Philharmonie für Einsteiger" with works from the viennese classics and post-war moderns. One was amazed by the perfectly matched tone, rythmic precision, dynamism and adaptability of the Orchestra."]
Kölner Stadtanzeiger, 8 December 2011
"Diesen klassisch ausgewogenen Klang hat nur das Chamber Orchestra of Europe. [...] Selten hört man die Sinfonia Concertante so geschlossen."
["Only the Chamber Orchestra of Europe can produce such a classically balanced sound.[...] Rarely has the Sinfonia Concertante ever been performed in such a unified way."]
Kölnische Rundschau, 6 December 2011
"Das Chamber Orchestra of Europe, zweifellos eines der künstlerisch profiliertesten Kammerorchester der Welt"
["The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, undoubtedly one of the artistically most distinguished chamber orchestras of the world"]
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 27 September 2011
“Instead, he [Bernard Haitink] was finishing a two-year, seven-part Brahms project for Lucerne, leading the extraordinarily talented Chamber Orchestra of Europe in Brahms’ Third and Fourth symphonies, along with other works. The Fourth symphony, which I attended, was the most moving interpretation of the work I have ever encountered.”
Wall Street Journal, 9 September 2011
“[...] the COE gave two exquisitely detailed performances of Brahms with pianist Emanuel Ax and Bernard Haitink. [...] the veteran conductor produced a Fourth Symphony of impeccable lucidity, with pizzicato as clear as bowed notes and a deliciously peppery tone from the bassoons.”
The Independent on Sunday, 28 August 2011
“This was a performance of both generosity and authority and the ecstatic response showed how loved these musicians are.”
The Independent, 24 August 2011
“And thank goodness for the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and conductor Bernard Haitink, who were on such beautifully lucid, strong form in the 4th Symphony.”
The Daily Telegraph, 22 August 2011
“The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, considered to be the finest chamber orchestra in the world.”
Katie Derham, presenting the BBC Proms 2011 on BBC 2, 20 August 2011
“[...] in the intervening 30 years the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) has become one of the most revered ensembles in the world, with 250 recordings to its name.”
The Times, 19 August 2011
“Since its inception in 1981, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe’s rise has been meteoric. Combining first class musicianship and a youthful spirit, the ensemble has forged an enviable reputation on the world’s many stages.”
Classic FM, part of the Great Orchestras of the World Series featuring the COE on 30 June 2011
“[...] wenn in den Holzbläsersoli Liebe, Vertrauen, Enttäuschung und Schmerz artikuliert werden: das ist schlicht phänomenal.”
[“[...] the way the woodwinds soli manage to convey such love, faith, disappointment and pain: this is simply phenomenal.”]
NEWS.at, 27 June 2011
“So zündet beim fabelhaft musizierenden Chamber Orchestra of Europe bereits die Ouvertüre der “Verkauften Braut”...”
[“The overture to the “Bartered Bride” was ignited by the fabulous Chamber Orchestra of Europe...”]
Kurier, 25 June 2011
“European Champions – The Chamber Orchestra of Europe has been a model for harmonious European relations for 30 years this year (and has produced around 60 children, as if to prove it)."
Classical Music Magazine, 18 June 2011
“Die Qualitäten der im Chamber Orchestra of Europe vereinten Musiker sind auch im dreißigsten Jahr des Ensembles außerordentlich.”
[“The qualities of the musicians gathered within the Chamber Orchestra of Europe are, even in the 30th year of this ensemble, extraordinary.”]
Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, 27 March 2011
“COE: un ensemble unique – Il illustre parfaitement ce que veut être le modèle européen: un rassemblement de musiciens des quatre coins de l’Europe pour former un ensemble unique, porteur d’un même message.”
[“COE: a unique ensemble – It is a perfect illustration of the European model: musicians from across Europe getting together to form a unique ensemble and all carrying the same message.”]
Le Bien Public, Arts et Loisirs section, 22 March 2011
“...nella formidabile Chamber Orchestra of Europe...”
[“...in the amazing Chamber Orchestra of Europe...”]
Corriere della Serra, 20 March 2011
“Le Chamber Orchestra of Europe est [...] extrêmement réactif: tout est immédiat. Ce n’est pas tant un orchestre qu’une assemblée de musiciens d’un niveau exceptionnel.”
[“The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is extremely reactive: everything happens immediately. It is not just an orchestra, it is most of all an ensemble of musicians of an exceptional level.”]
Le Figaro, 19 January 2011
“They prompt a buoyant, dancing lightness of touch from the COE that is wholly appropriate.”
BBC Music, 8 March 2010
“With its impassioned strings, whistle-clean winds and all-round intelligence, the hyper-alert Chamber Orchestra of Europe will always delight the ear…fabulous… dazzling… superb”
The Times, 24 April 2007
“The best chamber orchestra in the world”
The Daily Telegraph, 27 April 2006