# Metropole Orkest

The Metropole Orkest (transl. Metropole Orchestra) is a 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 combines jazz, big band and classical symphony orchestra styles. Comprising between 52 and 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.

## History

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. The name of the group was suggested by van der Linden, one of the musicians, who led the ensemble for 35 years until he stepped down in 1980. He was replaced by Rogier van Otterloo, who led the group until his sudden death in 1988. Dick Bakker then held the baton until 2005, when Vince Mendoza took over. He gave the orchestra a more international character. In August 2013 Jules Buckley took over the position of chief conductor from Mendoza.
The Metropole Orkest is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the annual Holland Festival along with many TV and radio programs. The 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.
In European radio broadcasting, its closest counterparts are the BBC Concert Orchestra, and in particular the now defunct BBC Radio Orchestra which had similar 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, Brian Eno, Hardwell, Elvis Costello, Within Temptation, Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Todd Rundgren, Jacob Collier, Markus Stockhausen, Louis Cole, Triptykon, Cory Wong, Cory Henry, Basement Jaxx and Robbie Williams.
The Dutch government was considering withdrawing funding from the orchestra but, at the last minute, in December 2012, politicians secured funding for the orchestra until 2017.
Starting on 31 January 2017, an online survey was held to select a group for a joint project. Six months later, Epica was elected from 650 suggestions, winning the most of 60,000 votes. 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 13 December 2017.
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.

## Chief conductors

* Dolf van der Linden 1945–1980
* Rogier van Otterloo 1980–1988
* Dick Bakker 1991–2005
* Vince Mendoza 2005–2013
* Jules Buckley 2013–2020, 2023–present

## Honorary conductors

* Vince Mendoza 2013 – present
* Jules Buckley 2020 – 2023

## Permanent guest conductor

* Miho Hazama 2020 – present

## Orchestral composition (typical)

| 7 First violins | 3 Flutes |
| 6 Second violins | 4 Saxophones/clarinets |
| 5 Violas | 4 Double reeds |
| 4 Cellos | 4 Trumpets |
| 2 Bass viols | 4 Horns |
| Bass guitar/Bass viol | 3 Trombones |
| Guitar | Bass trombone |
| Piano | Tuba/euphonium |
| Harp | Electronic keyboards |
| 3 Percussionists | Mallet keyboards |
| Drum kit | Tympani |

## Selected discography

| Year | Album | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Peak positions | Certifications |
| Year | Album | AUT | BEL (Vl) | BEL (Wa) | FIN | FRA | GER | NED | SWI | Certifications |
| 1998 | The Latin Side Credited to: Clare Fischer met het Metropole Orkest Released: September 1998 Record label: Koch Jazz | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2001 | Live Met Het Metropole Orkest Credited to: Acda en De Munnik met het Metropole Orkest Released: July 2001 Record label: Sony Music Local | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | |
| 2004 | MetroPaul: Live In Het Concertgebouw Credited to: Paul de Leeuw and The Metropole Orkest Released: May 1, 2004 Record label: Universal Music B.V. | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | — | |
| 2006 | My Flame Burns Blue Credited to: Elvis Costello with The Metropole Orkest Released: February 28, 2006 Record label: Deutsche Grammophon | — | — | — | — | — | — | 68 | — | |
| 2006 | The Look of Love: Burt Bacharach Songbook Credited to: Trijntje Oosterhuis & Metropole Orchestra Released: November 20, 2006 Record label: Blue Note, EMI | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | NVPI: 2× Platinum |
| 2007 | Sound Theories Vol. I & II Credited to: Steve Vai with The Metropole Orkest Released: June 26, 2007 Record label: Epic / Red Ink | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2007 | Who'll Speak for Love: Burt Bacharach Songbook II Credited to: Trijntje Oosterhuis & Metropole Orchestra Released: December 8, 2007 Record label: EMI | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | NVPI: 2× Platinum |
| 2008 | The Big Band Theory Credited to: Barry Hay Metropole Big Band Released: September 8, 2008 Record label: Blue Note | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | |
| 2008 | Black Symphony Credited to: Within Temptation & The Metropole Orkest Recorded live on February 7, 2008 Released: September 22, 2008 Record label: Roadrunner, GUN Records | 36 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 77 | 17 | 3 | 25 | |
| 2009 | Ivan Lins & The Metropole Orchestra Credited to: Ivan Lins with The Metropole Orkest Released: August 2009 Record label: Discmedi | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Won Best Brazilian Album at the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. |
| 2009 | Tears Go By Credited to: Anita Meyer with Metropole Orkest Released: October 23, 2009 Record label: T2 Entertainment | — | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | |
| 2009 | In Een Ander Licht Credited to: Stef Bos En Het Metropole Orkest O.L.V. Jules Buckley Released: November 8, 2009 Record label: Niemandsland | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | |
| 2010 | Crush Credited to: Ivan Paduart & The Metropole Orkest Feat. Bob Malach (ten sax) & Fay Claassen (voc.) Recorded live in Brussels in 2008 Released: March 15, 2010 Record label: Mons Records MR 874495 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2010 | 54 Credited to: Metropole Orkest, conducted by Vince Mendoza featuring John Scofield Released: May 10, 2010 Record label: Emarcy | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | A nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement went to Vince Mendoza for arranging "Carlos", a track on this album, at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. |
| 2010 | Alive Till I'm Dead Credited to: Professor Green Orchestral arrangements by :Jules Buckley performed by: Metropole Orkest Released: June 25, 2010 Record label: Virgin Records | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | BPI: Gold |
| 2010 | Moke + Metropole Orkest Credited to: Moke + Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley Released: October 24, 2010 Record label: Pias Holland | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | |
| 2010 | A Tribute to Billie Holiday Credited to: Ruth Jacott en het Metropole Orkest Released: November 16, 2010 Record label: V&V Content | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | |
| 2011 | Basement Jaxx vs. Metropole Orkest Credited to: Basement Jaxx & The Metropole Orkest Released: July 11, 2011 Record label: Atlantic Jaxx Recordings Ltd. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011 | Live with The Metropole Orchestra Credited to: Alain Clark with The Metropole Orkest Released: December 12, 2011 Record label: 8ball Music | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | |
| 2012 | The Wine of Silence Credited to: Robert Fripp, Andrew Keeling and David Singleton, performed by The Metropole Orkest, conducted by Jan Stulen [nl] Recorded: June 28, 2003 Released: April 30, 2012 Record label: Discipline Global Mobile | — | — | — | — | — | — | 98 | — | |
| 2012 | Better Get Hit in Your Soul: A Tribute to the Music of Charles Mingus Credited to: Metropole Orkest, conducted by John Clayton, featuring Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, and Conrad Herwig Recorded: April 27, 2009 Released: July 10, 2012 (CD, DVD-Video) Record label: BHM Productions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2012 | Gold Dust Credited to: Jonathan Jeremiah with The Metropole Orkest) Released: October 22, 2012 Record label: Island Records | — | 49 | — | — | 42 | 84 | 12 | 45 | |
| 2013 | Markus Stockhausen and The Metropole Orkest Credited to: Markus Stockhausen and The Metropole Orkest Recorded: June 25, 2011 Released: March 1, 2013 Record label: Intuition | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2013 | Sweet Soul Music Credited to: Edsilia Rombley with The Metropole Orkest Released: April 12, 2013 Record label: D.E.M.P. | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | |
| 2013 | Lean on Me Credited to: Sabrina Starke Musicians: Vince Mendoza with The Metrople Orchestra Released: May 2, 2013 Record label: 8ball Music | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | |
| 2013 | Perfect Vision – The Esquivel Sound Credited to: The Metropole Orkest Recorded: 2012 Released: June 10, 2013 Record label: Basta Audio-Visuals | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Nominated for Edison Award for World Music |
| 2013 | Amsterdam Meets New Tango Credited to: Pablo Ziegler and The Metropole Orkest Recorded: April 18, 2009 Released: June 11, 2013 Record label: Zoho Music | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2014 | Live in Holland Credited to: Asha Bhosle and Metropole Orchestra Recorded: May 9, 2013 Released: April 11, 2014 Record label: Amstel | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2014 | At Abbey Road Studios Credited to: Laura Mvula with Metropole Orkest Released: June 2014 (digital download) Released: August 2014 (CD, vinyl) Record label: RCA | — | 184 | 155 | — | — | — | 26 | — | Nominated for BBC Sound of 2013. Also nominated for the Critics' Choice Award at the 2013 Brit Awards. |
| 2015 | Karmaflow: The Rock Opera Videogame – The Original Soundtrack Credited to: The Metropole Orkest Released: April 30, 2015 (CD, digital download) Record Label: BaseCamp Games | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2015 | Sylva Credited to: Snarky Puppy & The Metropole Orkest Recorded: April 19–20, 2014 Released: May 26, 2015 (CD) Record Label: Impulse! | — | 118 | 161 | — | 131 | — | 20 | — | Won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards (2016). |
| 2015 | Clear Day Credited to: Emilie-Claire Barlow with The Metropole Orkest Released: October 23, 2015 (CD) Record Label: Empress Music Group | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Won the Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2016. |
| 2016 | Compleet, Volmaakt, Het Einde Credited to: Gordon, The Metropole Orkest Released: November 2016 (CD, digital download) Record Label: Berk Music | — | 104 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | |
| 2017 | MO x Caro Emerald by Grandmono Credited to: Metropole Orkest x Caro Emerald Released: December 2017 (CD) Record Label: Grandmono | | | | | | | 52 | | |
| 2018 | The Monk: Live at Bimhuis Credited to Miho Hazama, The Metropole Orkest Big Band Recorded live at Bimhuis, Amsterdam in October 2017 Released: February 14, 2018 (CD) Record Label: Universal Music/Verve, Sunnyside | | | | | | | — | | |
| 2018 | Scripted Orkestra Credited to: Henrik Schwarz & Metropole Orkest Released: May 25, 2018 (CD, LP) Record Label: 7k! | | | | | | | — | | Nominated for Best Classical Album at the 2019 A2IM Libera Awards. |
| 2018 | If You Really Want Credited to: Raul Midón with The Metropole Orkest Recorded: June 30 – July 4, 2014 Released: September 14, 2018 (CD) Record Label: Artistry Music | | | | | | | — | | Nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. |
| 2018 | What Heat Credited to: Bokanté + The Metropole Orkest, conducted by Jules Buckley Recorded :January 6–8, 2018 Released: September 28, 2018 (CD, digital download, LP) Record Label: Real World | | | | | | | | | Nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. |
| 2018 | Djesse Vol. 1 Credited to: Jacob Collier with Metropole Orchestra Released: December 7, 2018 (digital download, streaming) Record Label: Hajanga, Decca, Geffen | | | | | | | | | "All Night Long" won Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. |
| 2019 | Melkweg Credited to: Jameszoo Quintet and Metropole Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley Released: May 17, 2019 (digital download) Record Label: Brainfeeder | | | | | | | | | |
| 2020 | Brian Eno with Metropole Orkest Credited to: Brian Eno with Metropole Orkest Recorded: June 20, 1999 Released: December 4, 2020 Record label: Unicorn (unofficial release) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2020 | Live with the Metropole Orkest Credited to: Sohn, Metropole Orkest Released: June 5, 2020 (LP, digital download) Record Label: 4AD | | | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | Ledisi Sings Nina Credited to: Ledisi Released: July 23, 2021 (digital download, streaming, vinyl) Record Label: Listen Back Entertainment | | | | | | | | | |
| 2022 | XXV Credited to: Robbie Williams Released: September 9, 2022 (CD, cassette, digital download, streaming, vinyl) Record Label: Columbia | | | | | | | | | |

## 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.