Metropole Orkest
The Metropole Orkest (or Metropole Orchestra) is a multiple Grammy winning jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands, and is the largest full-time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz, big band and symphony orchestra. Comprising 52–97 musicians, it is versatile across many musical forms, and is equipped with a "double rhythm section“ – one for pop and rock, and one for jazz based music.
Metropole Orkest | |
---|---|
Jazz orchestra | |
Founded | 1945 |
Location | Hilversum, The Netherlands |
Principal conductor | Jules Buckley |
Website | Website Metropole Orkest |
History
![](../I/m/Repetities._Orkest_met_Mary_Hopkin_en_Engelse_dirigent_Johnny_Arthey%2C_Bestanddeelnr_923-3652.jpg)
The Metropole Orkest was founded in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden at the urging of officials from Netherlands Public Broadcasting, which manages and subsidizes the orchestra. Since then, the Metropole has become a symbol of Dutch culture around the world. The name of the group was suggested by one of the musicians. Dolf van der Linden led the ensemble for 35 years until he stepped down in 1980.[1] He was replaced by Rogier van Otterloo, who led the group until his sudden death in 1988. Dick Bakker held the baton until 2005 when Vince Mendoza took over.[2] He gave the orchestra a more international character. In August 2013 Jules Buckley took over the position of chief conductor from Vince Mendoza.
The Metropole Orkest is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the yearly Holland Festival along with many TV and radio programs broadcast to millions. The ever-growing Dutch film and television industry relies heavily on the Metropole Orkest for its film scores. From 2005 to 2013 the Metropole was under the baton of four-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza and performed frequently on the concert stage, at festivals and on recordings of both Dutch and international artists.[3]
In European Radio broadcasting, its closest counterparts are the BBC Concert Orchestra, and in particular the now defunct BBC Radio Orchestra which had the same instrumentation. The ensembles often performed with the same guest conductors and soloists, using the same bespoke arrangements.
The Metropole Orkest is known for its performances of world music and classic jazz works. It has worked with many prominent artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Jarreau, New York Voices, Tori Amos, Bono, Hardwell, Elvis Costello, Within Temptation, Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Todd Rundgren, Jacob Collier, Cory Wong, Cory Henry and Basement Jaxx.[4]
The Dutch government was considering withdrawing funding from the famous orchestra and Dutch cultural icon. At the last minute, in December 2012, politicians secured funding for the orchestra until 2017.[5]
Starting January 31, 2017, an online survey was held to select a group for a joint project. 6 months later, Epica was elected from 650 suggestions, winning the most of 60,000 votes.[6] Without revealing the title of the existing Epica song that was to be recorded, a joint studio session was scheduled to take place in Hilversum on December 13, 2017.[7]
In the build-up to a Dutch parliamentary debate on the culture budgets, scheduled for 30 May 2018, the Metropole Orkest announced that by 2018 the subsidy budget cuts in the preceding years had caused a 50% reduction in the amount of work the orchestra could offer its musicians. Many of its musicians were no longer able to make a living from just their work at the orchestra, and faced problems combining the irregular work hours as a musician with part-time jobs needed to supplement their income. The orchestra objected to the situation as described, responding that it feared that the orchestra would diminish in quality or ultimately be forced to shut down completely.[8]
Orchestral composition
– 1st Violin | – Bass | – Oboe |
– 2nd Violin | – Harp | – Horn |
– Viola | – Clarinet | – Saxophone |
– Cello | – Piano | – Trumpet |
– Double Bass | – Synthesizer | – Trombone |
– Flute | – Drums | – Percussion |
– Guitar | – Bassoon | – Tuba |
– Harpsichord | – Sousaphone | – Cornet |
Chief conductors
- Dolf van der Linden 1945–1980
- Rogier van Otterloo 1980–1988
- Dick Bakker 1991–2005
- Vince Mendoza 2005–2013
- Jules Buckley 2013–present
Selected discography
Year | Album | Peak positions | Certifications | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUT [9] |
BEL (Vl) [10] |
BEL (Wa) [11] |
FIN [12] |
FRA [13] |
GER [14] |
NED [15] |
SWI [16] | |||
1998 | The Latin Side
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2001 | Live Met Het Metropole Orkest
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | |
2004 | MetroPaul: Live In Het Concertgebouw
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | |
2006 | My Flame Burns Blue
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 68 | — | |
2006 | The Look Of Love: Burt Bacharach Songbook
|
— | 27 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | NVPI: 2× Platinum[17] |
2007 | Sound Theories
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2007 | Who'll Speak for Love: Burt Bacharach Songbook II
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | NVPI: 2× Platinum[18] |
2008 | The Big Band Theory
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
2008 | Black Symphony
|
36 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 77 | 17 | 3 | 25 | |
2009 | Ivan Lins & The Metropole Orchestra
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Winner of 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in category of Best Brazilian Album. |
2009 | Tears Go By
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | |
2009 | In Een Ander Licht
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | |
2010 | Crush
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2010 | 54
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | In the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, nominated for Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, and Best Instrumental Arrangement went to Vince Mendoza for arranging "Carlos", a track in this album. |
2010 | Alive Till I'm Dead
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | BPI: Gold |
2010 | Moke + Metropole Orkest
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | |
2010 | A Tribute To Billie Holiday
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | |
2011 | Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2011 | Live with The Metropole Orchestra
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | |
2012 | The Wine of Silence
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | — | |
2012 | Better Get Hit In Your Soul: A Tribute To the Music of Charles Mingus
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2012 | Gold Dust
|
— | 49 | — | — | 42 | 84 | 12 | 45 | |
2013 | Sweet Soul Music
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | |
2013 | Lean on Me
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | |
2013 | Perfect Vision – The Esquivel Sound
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Nominated for Edison Award for World Music. |
2013 | Amsterdam Meets New Tango
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2014 | Live In Holland
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2014 | At Abbey Road Studios
|
— | 184 | 155 | — | — | — | 26 | — | Nominated for BBC Sound of 2013. Also in 2013 Brit Awards, nominated for Critics' Choice Award. |
2015 | Karmaflow: The Rock Opera Videogame – The Original Soundtrack
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
2015 | Sylva
|
— | 118 | 161 | — | 131 | — | 20 | — | In the 58th Annual Grammy Awards of 2016, this album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. |
2015 | Clear Day
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | In Juno Awards of 2016, this album won the Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. |
2016 | Compleet,Volmaakt, Het Einde[20]
|
— | 104 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | |
2017 | MO x Caro Emerald By Grandmono
|
52 | ||||||||
2018 | The Monk: Live at Bimhuis[21]
|
— | ||||||||
2018 | Scripted Orkestra[22]
|
— | Nominated for Best Clasical Album in 2019 A2IM Libera Awards.[23] | |||||||
2018 | If You Really Want
|
— | Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[24] | |||||||
2018 | What Heat
|
Nominated for Best World Music Album in the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[25][26] | ||||||||
2018 | Djesse Vol. 1[27]
|
Track of "All Night Long" won the Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals in the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[28][29] | ||||||||
2019 | Melkweg
|
Awards
Year | Award | Production |
---|---|---|
2009 | 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards | Best MPB Album: Ivan Lins & The Metropole Orchestra, with Ivan Lins |
2016 | 58th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Sylva with Snarky Puppy |
2020 | 62nd Annual Grammy Awards | Best arrangement, instruments and vocals: "All night long" with Jacob Collier and Take 6 |
In the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards of 2011, Best Instrumental Arrangement went to Vince Mendoza for arranging Carlos, a track from the album 54 which the Metropole had recorded with John Scofield.
In 1996, the Metropole Orchestra performed the score of Antonia, a film which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. They all also featured in "All Night Long" by Jacob Collier which won an award for the "Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals" at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
References
- Musiker, Reuben & Musiker, Naomi (1998). Conductors and Composers of Popular Orchestral Music: A Biographical and Discographical Sourcebook. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 263–265. ISBN 0-313-30260-X.
- "The Metropole Orkest". En.metropoleorkest.nl. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- home » Metropole Orkest Archived 2009-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. www.mo.nl/en. Retrieved on 2013-08-07.
- Basement Jaxx: Basement Jaxx Vs Metropole Orkest, CD review. Telegraph (2011-07-07). Retrieved on 2013-08-07.
- Metropole Orkest krijgt subsidie tot 2017 – muziek – VK. Volkskrant.nl. Retrieved on 2013-08-07.
- "Winner 'Metropole Orkest met…' announced! – Metropole Orkest". Metropole Orkest. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- "Metropole Orkest met… Epica – Metropole Orkest". Metropole Orkest (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- "Huidige situatie Metropole Orkest – Metropole Orkest". Metropole Orkest (in Dutch). 19 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- Steffen Hung. "AustrianCharts.com: Metropole Orkest page (Ö3 Austria Top 40)". Austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- "Ultratop.be/nl/: Metropole Orkest page (Ultratop 50)". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- "Metropole Orkest page (Ultratop 40". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- Steffen Hung. "Metropole Orkest page (The Official Finnish Charts". FinnishCharts.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- Steffen Hung. "Metropole Orkest page (SNEP French Singles Chart". LesCharts.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- Steffen Hung. "Metropole Orkest page (German Media Control German Charts". Germancharts.com. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- Steffen Hung. "DutchCharts.com: Metropole Orkest page (Dutch Top 40)". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- Steffen Hung. "Hitparad.ch: Metropole Orkest page". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- EMImusic.nl Archived 2009-04-07 at the Wayback Machine Trijntje Oosterhuis page, "20-11-2006 – Trijntje ontvangt Platina Award tijdens The Look of Love première" Retrieved: 23 November 2006
- NVPI.nl Archived 2012-03-12 at WebCite Dutch certification database Accessed 4 November 2006
- "Better Get Hit In Your Soul: A Tribute To the Music of Charles Minguss". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
- Compleet, volmaakt het einde – Gordon – Muziekweb (in Dutch), retrieved 2018-12-25
- "挾間美帆/メトロポール・オーケストラ・ビッグバンド「ザ・モンク:ライヴ・アット・ビムハウス」 | UCCJ-2152 | 4988031262528 | Shopping". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-12-25.
- Scripted orkestra – Henrik Schwarz – Muziekweb (in Dutch), retrieved 2018-12-25
- "A2IM Reveals 2019 Libera Awards Nominees: Mitski, Bad Bunny, Snail Mail & More". Billboard. 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
- "Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- "2019 Grammy Winners & Nominees". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- Hegedus, Eric (2020-01-26). "Grammy winners 2020: Complete list with nominees". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
- "Luister nu naar Djesse vol. 1". Metropole Orkest (in Dutch). 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
- "Jacob Collier". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- Messman, Lauren (January 26, 2020). "Grammy Winners: Who Won So Far". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2020.