The Kurpfälzisches Chamber Orchestra was founded in Mannheim in 1952 with the aim of rediscovering and promoting the Mannheim School (1743–1778). Today, it is regarded as an exceptionally versatile ensemble with a broad repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the modern era, with a particular focus on the early Classical and Classical periods. In the tradition of the Mannheim Court Orchestra during the time of Elector Carl Theodor, the Rittersaal in Mannheim Palace remains the orchestra’s main venue to this day.

Under Carl Theodor, Mannheim developed into one of Europe’s most important centres of music in the 18th century. Composers such as Johann Stamitz, Franz Xaver Richter, Ignaz Holzbauer and Christian Cannabich shaped a new orchestral culture there, the influence of which is still felt today. With the court’s relocation to Munich in 1778, this glorious era gradually faded into obscurity – until the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester breathed new life into it. Following in the footsteps of its founding conductor Eugen Bodart – a composer and former General Music Director of the National Theatre in Mannheim – it was above all the composer and violinist Wolfgang Hofmann who shaped the orchestra’s artistic profile. Under his long-standing artistic direction, the Kurpfälzisches Chamber Orchestra established itself as an integral part of the national and international music scene. In its tireless endeavour to bring the rich treasure trove of works from the Mannheim School back into the public eye, the ensemble has given numerous concert performances, made radio and recording appearances, and produced editions of the works – enabling many significant pieces to find their way back into concert programmes worldwide.

With its long-standing series of ‘Mannheim Palace Concerts’ in the Knights’ Hall of Mannheim Palace and the ‘Hambach Palace Concerts’ in the Ballroom of Hambach Palace, the Kurpfälzisches Chamber Orchestra is firmly rooted in the region’s musical life. It also makes regular guest appearances throughout Germany and far beyond, including in renowned concert halls such as the Invalidendom in Paris, the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Philharmonie Luxembourg and the Seoul Arts Centre, as well as at international festivals. With 80 to 100 concert performances a year, the orchestra keeps the rich musical heritage of the Mannheim School alive. Collaboration with internationally acclaimed soloists, as well as the promotion of up-and-coming musical talent, characterise the ensemble’s artistic identity.

The Kurpfälzisches Chamber Orchestra is also constantly developing new concert formats aimed at fostering dynamic innovation in the promotion of classical music. Special school projects bring the entire orchestra
directly into schools. The ‘Dream Concerts in the Castle’ are extremely popular and successful; they have now achieved cult status and allow the audience to experience music from an unusual perspective – namely whilst lying down.

Since the 2018–2019 season, Paul Meyer has been at the helm of the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester as principal conductor. Under his artistic direction, the ensemble combines a commitment to the Mannheim tradition with an openness to new repertoire and international collaborations, particularly within the French music scene.

Paul Meyer is one of the world’s most outstanding clarinettists and performs regularly with leading orchestras in Europe and the USA, the Far East and Australia. He is the dedicatee of over 20 world premieres, including concertos by Penderecki, Berio, Corigliano, Thierry Escaich, Qigang Chen and Michael Jarrell, which Paul Meyer premiered in Salzburg, Amsterdam and Vienna and which have since become part of the standard repertoire.

Alongside his career as a soloist, Paul Meyer has been active internationally as a conductor since 1988. He is the founder of the Orchestre de Chambre d’Alsace, served as John Carewe’s assistant at the Northern Junior Philharmonic in England, and was appointed ‘Associate Chief Conductor’ of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra by Myung Whun Chung in 2007, shaping the orchestra’s international profile primarily through the French repertoire and works by Roussel, Dukas and Saint-Saëns. Paul Meyer is a co-founder of the orchestra’s academy for young emerging artists. From 2009 to 2012, Paul Meyer was Principal Conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and has since worked with renowned orchestras such as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice, the Orchestre National de Bordeaux, the Hamburger Sinfoniker, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Danish Symphony Orchestra and the China Philharmonic Orchestra.

His artistic output to date has been documented on more than 50 CD recordings for leading labels, including DGG, Sony, RCA, EMI and Virgin; for these, he has been awarded numerous prizes, such as the Fono-Forum, Diapason d’Or, Choc du Monde de la Musique, Gramophone and Grammy Awards. Particularly noteworthy are his recordings as a conductor with the Camerata Padova (piano concertos by Mozart and Haydn with JM Luisada), with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège (works by Darius Milhaud), the Brussels Philharmonic (works by Corigliano and Carter), with the Staatskapelle Weimar (Elgar and Walton cello concertos), as well as horn concertos from various periods with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and the highly successful CD ‘Bolero de Meyer’ with the Tokyo Kosei Orchestra. His series of play-conduct recordings with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne has won numerous awards.

Among the chamber orchestras Paul Meyer has conducted to date are the following: the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Stockholm Chamber Orchestra, the Prague Philharmonia, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia, the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and the Munich Chamber Orchestra.

In 2012, the French state awarded Paul Meyer the highest cultural honour, the ‘Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’, in recognition of his musical achievements to date.

Since the 2019–2020 season, Paul Meyer has succeeded Johannes Schlaefli as principal conductor of the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester.