Gramophone Magazine
September 2024
Editor's Choice

Philharmonie Festiva, Gerd Schaller


Founded in 2008 by Gerd Schaller, the Philharmonie Festiva is a symphony orchestra comprised of selected exceptional musicians from a number of Germany's top orchestras. Right from the outset, the conductor and his musicians were attracted by the incentive and the challenge of creating a sound all their very own: an exciting task, because the instrumentalists bring with them a host of different ideas about sound as a result of their work in their various 'home orchestras' - and yet this is also a highly appealing undertaking, because nothing is set in stone in the Philharmonie Festiva; there is always scope for new experiences and experiments. Out of this there emerges a feeling among the musicians that they are creating something new, something mutual, a fact that makes each new project by this ensemble into a very special experience. Schaller has set out with this very special orchestra to re-discover works in the field of symphonic repertoire by cultivating a common musical signature, while also performing seldom heard or forgotten works. Schaller sees the much acclaimed Bruckner cycle, praised by audiences and critics alike, as the core focal point: together with the Philharmonie Festiva he is staging concerts featuring all versions of Bruckner's symphonies and recording them for release as CD albums.

"I’m inclined to think it’s not only the finest recording of the 1888 version now available but one of the finest recordings of any version of the Fourth Symphony." - Gramophone Magazine, September 2024