The Banatul Philharmonic (Romanian: Filarmonica Banatul) is a musical institution in Timișoara, Romania. Established in 1871, it now comprises a symphony orchestra, professional chorus and various chamber groups. The Banatul Philharmonic operates in the projection hall of the former Capitol cinema, built by the mayor's office in 1929, which was nationalized in 1956, so that in 2007 it would be taken over by the municipality of Timișoara, by a special law.[1]
History
1871–1947
Before having a proper music society, like other cities in the country, in Timișoara there was the choral association Temeswarer Männergesangverein, founded in 1845. It seems that it was the first music society in the city, but did not survive in the context of 1848–1849 events. It was re-established in 1858, and its activity is recorded as meritorious, contributing in various ways to the musical life of the city. The repertoire of this chorale included works of great popularity, belonging mainly to German romantic music.[2]
At one point, the chorus and orchestra disbanded. Therefore, the musical landscape of the city increasingly felt the need to resume similar initiatives. As a result of this desideratum, eleven music-loving enthusiasts met on 21 October 1871 in Auguste Pummer's house, deciding to establish a men's choral society called "Timișoara Philharmonic Society" (German: Temeswarer Philharmonische Verein). The minutes of the first meeting were written at the constituent meeting and a committee consisting of Auguste Pummer, Heinrich Weidt and Franz Wilhelm Speer was elected. On this occasion, the work Die Träne was sung, which later became the motto of the chorus.[3] The inaugural concert took place on the stage of the Communal Theater on 8 December 1871 and was performed with the help of the Timișoara Opera Orchestra and some blowers from the 29th Infantry Regiment.[4] The concert activity that followed was mainly focused (in the beginning) on a cappella and chamber music.[5]
In 1947 the orchestra was renamed the Banatul State Philharmonic, and eventually simply the Banatul Philharmonic.[5][6] The first symphonic concert took place on 8 June 1947 with Timișoara-born French conductor Charles Bruck and French pianist Monique de La Bruchollerie. The opening of the first season took place on 26 October 1947.[7]
^Metz, Franz (2005). Der Temeswarer Philharmonische Verein. Eine Chronik südosteuropäischer Musikgeschichte 1850–1950. Munich: Edition Musik Südost. ISBN978-3-939041-00-9.
^ abcdefCosma, Viorel (2001). "Timișoara". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN1-56159-239-0.
^Tomi, Ioan (2007). Filarmonica Banatul Timișoara, 60 de ani. 1947–2007. Monografie. Timișoara: Excelsior Art.