The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen has been named Gramophone Orchestra of the Year at this year’s prestigious awards ceremony in London. In the only award to be voted by the public, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen claimed by far the majority of votes, outstripping fellow nominees, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestre de Paris.

“This magnificent orchestra has been in the artistic care of Paavo Järvi since 2004” wrote Gramophone. “So what better time than to celebrate its excellence, and a palpably inspiring musical partnership, as they approach their 20th anniversary. With Haydn symphonies under Järvi (which ‘brim with life’) demonstrating the vibrant creativity of this long relationship, Beethoven and Stravinsky violin concertos with Vilde Frang (‘attentive to every small detail’), and Weinberg under Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, this orchestra’s range is remarkably broad and its ability to deliver makes it one of Germany’s finest – and thankfully they’re wonderfully well represented on record.”

Paavo Järvi said “The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen is really one of a kind as it has a truly entreprenereal spirit and the fact that this award is voted by our audiences shows how much recognition and respect the orchestra has gained with an impressive worldwide fanbase. Receiving the award on the eve of our 20th anniversary together makes this award even more special – a recognition of years of intense work together, performing and recording the great Germanic composers Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and now Haydn.”