In 2002 musicians of the Graz Symphony Orchestra formed “recreation – GROSSES ORCHESTER GRAZ”. The first subscription concerts were given in the 2002/03 season and were enthusiastically welcomed by the audience. Since then the orchestra has performed at the styriarte Festival in Graz, at the Musikverein in Vienna, at the Old Opera in Frankfurt, the Styrian Autumn Festival, the Jazz Summer Graz Festival etc. The members of the orchestra either studied at the university of music in Graz or teach at one of the music education institutions in that city and whole Styria. With their different nationalities they also create a fusion of many south-east European cultures. “recreation” has worked with outstanding conductors such as Andrés Orozco-Estrada (principal conductor from 2005 until 2009), and Jordi Savall. From 2012 to 2017 Michael Hofstetter was appointed Principal Conductor of the recreation orchestra for five seasons.