The National Philharmonic Orchestra
is a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. It was founded by RCA producer Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the Reader's Digest recording project.
Before settling on this name, the orchestra began operation in 1964 using a variety of names including RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
and the London Promenade
(the latter consisting largely of London Philharmonic Orchestra personnel). It was incorporated as the National Philharmonic Orchestra in 1970. Musicians from London’s huge talent pool were contracted by Gerhardt and Sax. The orchestra ceased to be an exclusive RCA recording organization at the same time that Gerhardt replaced Sax as the concertmaster. Decca Records began using the orchestra in March 1974. This was for a Phase 4 Stereo recording of the Yellow River Piano Concerto conducted by Elgar Howarth. Columbia Records began using the orchestra in 1975.
Such conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Richard Bonynge, Charles Gerhardt and Michael Kamen made recordings with it. Bonynge recorded all three of Tchaikovsky's ballets with it for Decca, Gerhardt made a series of stereo recordings of Hollywood film music with it for RCA Victor and Kamen recorded Eric Clapton's orchestral sessions from the 24 Nights concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in 1990 and 1991 for Duck Records.
The orchestra has been featured on the soundtrack of many films (particularly those scored by Jerry Goldsmith) as well as a selection of Star Wars suites from the John Williams catalogue. Bernard Hermann regularly used the orchestra for recordings of his film work.
Kenneth Schermerhorn conducted the orchestra on the soundtrack of Baryshnikov's production The Nutcracker
, a staging of Tchaikovsky's ballet which became a television classic, after being presented live onstage. The orchestra also provided the music for the stage production.
The National Philharmonic Orchestra has since been disbanded.
Some of the film scores recorded in England and performed by The National Philharmonic Orchestra:
- The Blue Max (1966),
- Supergirl (1984),
- Alien (1979),
- The Omen (1976-81),
- Legend (1985),
- Outland (1981),
- The Secret of N.I.M.H. (1982),
- Total Recall (1990),
- The Boys from Brazil (1978),
- Not Without My Daughter (1991),
- The Exorcist (1973),
- The Wicked Lady (1983),
- The Dead Zone (1983),
- License to Kill (1989),
- Barry Lyndon (1975).
There is also a National Philharmonic based in Washington, D.C., founded and conducted by Piotr Gajewski, currently in residence at the Music Center at Strathmore (Maryland).(website: ) It was formerly known as the National Chamber Orchestra.
|
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC TICKETS
|
The
National Philharmonic Orchestra
is a
British orchestra created exclusively for
recording purposes. It was founded by
RCA producer
Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor
Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the
Reader's Digest recording project.
Before settling on this name, the orchestra began operation in 1964 using a variety of names including
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
and the
London Promenade
(the latter consisting largely of
London Philharmonic Orchestra personnel). It was incorporated as the National Philharmonic Orchestra in 1970. Musicians from London’s huge talent pool were contracted by Gerhardt and Sax. The orchestra ceased to be an exclusive RCA recording organization at the same time that Gerhardt replaced Sax as the
concertmaster.
Decca Records began using the orchestra in March 1974. This was for a
Phase 4 Stereo recording of the
Yellow River Piano Concerto conducted by
Elgar Howarth.
Columbia Records began using the orchestra in 1975.
Such
conductors as
Leopold Stokowski,
Richard Bonynge,
Charles Gerhardt and
Michael Kamen made recordings with it. Bonynge recorded all three of
Tchaikovsky's
ballets with it for
Decca, Gerhardt made a series of
stereo recordings of
Hollywood film music with it for
RCA Victor and Kamen recorded
Eric Clapton's orchestral sessions from the
24 Nights concerts at the
Royal Albert Hall in 1990 and 1991 for
Duck Records.
The orchestra has been featured on the
soundtrack of many
films (particularly those scored by
Jerry Goldsmith) as well as a selection of
Star Wars suites from the
John Williams catalogue.
Bernard Hermann regularly used the orchestra for recordings of his film work.
Kenneth Schermerhorn conducted the orchestra on the soundtrack of
Baryshnikov's production
The Nutcracker
, a staging of Tchaikovsky's ballet which became a television classic, after being presented live onstage. The orchestra also provided the music for the stage production.
The National Philharmonic Orchestra has since been disbanded.
Some of the film scores recorded in England and performed by The National Philharmonic Orchestra:
- The Blue Max (1966),
- Supergirl (1984),
- Alien (1979),
- The Omen (1976-81),
- Legend (1985),
- Outland (1981),
- The Secret of N.I.M.H. (1982),
- Total Recall (1990),
- The Boys from Brazil (1978),
- Not Without My Daughter (1991),
- The Exorcist (1973),
- The Wicked Lady (1983),
- The Dead Zone (1983),
- License to Kill (1989),
- Barry Lyndon (1975).
There is also a National Philharmonic based in
Washington, D.C., founded and conducted by
Piotr Gajewski, currently in residence at the Music Center at
Strathmore (Maryland).(website: ) It was formerly known as the
National Chamber Orchestra.