Het Brabants Orkest
| Company type | Symphony orchestra |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Merged with Limburgs Symfonie Orkest to form South Netherlands Philharmonic in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Eindhoven , Netherlands |
Area served | North Brabant, Netherlands |
Key people | Hein Jordans (chief conductor 1949–1979), Lucas Vis (1979–1983), André Vandernoot, Arpad Joó (until 1994), Marc Soustrot (1996–2006), Alan Buribayev (2008–2012) |
| Products | Symphony orchestra performances |
Het Brabants Orkest (also referred to as The Europa Orchestra) was a symphony orchestra situated in the Dutch province of North Brabant. Its primary performance location was the Muziekgebouw Frits Philips in Eindhoven, with additional appearances held at the Theater aan de Parade in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Concertzaal in Tilburg, and the Chassé Theatre located in Breda.
The orchestra originated in 1947 through the initiative of the Stichting Vrienden van het Orkest, which aimed to establish a full-time symphony ensemble. Officially founded in 1949, it began with a roster of 40 musicians. Hein Jordans was appointed as the inaugural chief conductor, a position he maintained from 1949 until 1979. Following him, Lucas Vis led from 1979 to 1983, succeeded by André Vandernoot and later Arpad Joó. After Joó's termination in 1994, Marc Soustrot was named chief conductor amidst controversy surrounding the simultaneous selection of Jaap van Zweden as principal guest conductor. This disagreement was eventually settled, allowing Soustrot to direct from 1996 through 2006. Subsequently, Alan Buribayev held the chief conductor role between 2008 and 2012.
Het Brabants Orkest participated in various cultural events such as the Internationaal Vocalisten Concours, concerts organized by Stichting Stabat Mater, "Carnaval Concerts", the Festival Cult & Tumult in Veldhoven, and "Festival Traces" in Tilburg. Additionally, it provided orchestral accompaniment for productions by Opera Zuid.
Due to reductions in governmental funding, Het Brabants Orkest merged with the Limburgs Symfonie Orkest in April 2013, resulting in the creation of the South Netherlands Philharmonic.
Chief conductors
- Hein Jordans (1949–1979)
- Lucas Vis (1979–1983)
- André Vandernoot
- Arpad Joó (?–1994)
- Marc Soustrot (1996–2006)
- Alan Buribayev (2008–2012)