Orchestra of St Paul's

Orchestra of St Paul's
Origin	London, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Classical
Occupations	Chamber orchestra
Website	www.orchestraofstpauls.org
Members
Musical Director Ben Palmer

The Orchestra of St Paul's (OSP) is a professional chamber orchestra resident at the famous Actors' Church in Covent Garden. In addition to a concert series in Covent Garden, the Orchestra of St Paul's gives regular performances all around the UK and makes annual visits to the Southbank Centre and St John's, Smith Square. OSP appears regularly at UK festivals such as the English Music Festival.

OSP is unique among modern instrument chamber orchestras in playing music of the baroque, classical and even romantic periods entirely without vibrato. This pure tone is complemented by the orchestra’s employment of authentic articulation, phrasing and style. With the exception of natural trumpets in appropriate repertoire the orchestra does not use period instruments; however, this historically informed focus is absolutely central to the group’s approach. The flexible line-up of the Orchestra of St Paul's adapts to suit each project, from the standard classical chamber orchestra to an ensemble of between four and fourteen players; exceptionally OSP expands to a full symphony orchestra.

The group has featured music by composers including Beethoven (including a symphony cycle between 2007–11), William Boyce, Elgar, Haydn, Mahler, Martinů, Poulenc, Rameau, Stravinsky and Wagner, as well as the UK première of the original version of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5. OSP has collaborated with David Owen Norris, Roderick Williams, Steven Osborne (pianist), Richard Baker (broadcaster) and newsreader and radio presenter Katie Derham. OSP made its Southbank Centre debut at Purcell Room in September 2008. The orchestra's musical director is Ben Palmer and its patron is Sir Roger Norrington.

References

• Critical Reaction Review of Purcell Room concert, October 2010
• MusicWeb International Review of Purcell Room concert, October 2010

External links

• Orchestra of St Paul's
• Actors' Church
• Ben Palmer, conductor