Denmark’s state broadcaster DR announced yesterday that budget cuts would see its chamber orchestra close in January. DR’s Danish National Chamber Orchestra or ‘Underholdningsorkestret’ – previously known as the Danish Radio Sinfonietta – will cease playing in January though it would appear DR’s symphony orchestra will remain unaffected.

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The Danish National Chamber Orchestra has made a series of well-received recordings under its chief conductor, Adam Fischer, notably of the complete extant Mozart symphonies (completed earlier this year) and of early Mozart operas, a number of which have been awarded the Editor’s Choice accolade by Gramophone. But most of the ensemble’s schedule was filled supporting television shows and pop/live music events; while many of its functions could be fulfilled by any studio orchestra, it mounted some ground-breaking projects in recent years including acclaimed collaborations with Danish bands Efterklang and Den Sorte Skole.

A campaign to save the Danish National Chamber Orchestra has been launched on Facebook under the Danish name ‘Bevar DR Underholdningsorkesteret’.

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