Cleveland Orchestra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Cleveland Orchestra | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Genre(s) | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Symphony orchestra |
| Years active | 1918-present |
| Associated acts | Cleveland Orchestra Chorus Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus(COYC) Cleveland Orchestra Childrens Chorus (COCC) |
| Website | www.clevelandorch.com |
| Members | |
| Music Director Franz Welser-Möst Music Director Laureate Christoph von Dohnányi Assistant Conductors Jayce Ogren Tito Muñoz Director of Choruses Robert Porco Assistant Director of Choruses Betsy Burleigh |
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| Former members | |
| Founder Nikolai Sokoloff |
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The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five".[1] Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall. The music director is Franz Welser-Möst.
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[edit] History
The orchestra was founded in 1918 by Adella Prentiss Hughes, with Nikolai Sokoloff as its principal conductor. From early in its existence, it toured throughout the eastern United States, made radio broadcasts, and recorded many albums. Subsequent principal conductors, with the title of Music Director, were Artur Rodziński (1933-1943), Erich Leinsdorf (1943-1944), George Szell (1946-1970), Pierre Boulez (Musical Advisor 1970-1972), Lorin Maazel (1972-1982), and Christoph von Dohnányi (1984-2002). Franz Welser-Möst has been Music Director since 2002 and is contracted to remain through the 2017-2018 season.[2] [3]
George Szell's long reign as Music Director is largely responsible for the orchestra's rise to eminence. He reformed the orchestra in the 1950s, firing a dozen musicians in the process with a dozen more leaving of their own volition.[4] Szell is also credited with giving the orchestra its distinct, European sound.[4] He pushed an ambitious recording schedule with the orchestra, bringing its music to millions worldwide. Szell's influence has continued, even decades after his death.
Cleveland is the smallest city amongst the traditional "Big Five" orchestras; the others are based in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. However, musicians in Cleveland are often treated as local celebrities, and, much like sports heroes elsewhere, fans seek autographs after performances and greet musicians on the street. Clevelanders are proud that their city boasts an orchestra rated on par with or above those in much larger cities.[5][4] They have even been known to "have airport rallies when the orchestra comes home from tour [and] chant, 'We're the best! We're the best!' and carry placards reading Bravo!'"[4]
In addition to a vast catalog of recordings created with the ensemble's music directors, the orchestra has made many recordings with guest conductors Vladimir Ashkenazy, Oliver Knussen, Kurt Sanderling, Yoel Levi, Riccardo Chailly, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Louis Lane (the orchestra's longtime Associate Conductor).
[edit] Locations
During the summer months, the orchestra presents their annual Blossom Festival at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio while during the winter months they play at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Until 2005, the Blossom Festival had its own music director. The last person to serve in that capacity was Jahja Ling. After he stepped down from that position, the orchestra eliminated the post, and now has current music director Franz Welser-Möst in charge of the classical music concerts at the Blossom Festival.[6]
The orchestra also has long-term performing relationships in Lucerne, Vienna, New York City, and Miami, and has conducted multi-concert tours on the West Coast off and on since the 1960s.[7]
[edit] Music directors
- 1918-1933 Nikolai Sokoloff
- 1933-1943 Artur Rodziński
- 1943-1944 Erich Leinsdorf
- 1946-1970 George Szell
- 1970-1972 Pierre Boulez (Musical advisor)
- 1972-1982 Lorin Maazel
- 1984-2002 Christoph von Dohnányi
- 2002-present Franz Welser-Möst
[edit] See also
- Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra
- Cleveland Women's Orchestra
- Cleveland Chamber Symphony
- CityMusic Cleveland
- Red (an orchestra)
- The Contemporary Youth Orchestra
[edit] References
- ^ Michael Walsh (1983-04-25). "Which U.S. Orchestras are Best?". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923579,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ Donald Rosenberg and Zachary Lewis (2008-06-06). "Cleveland Orchestra extends Welser-Most's contract until 2018, plans staged operas". Cleveland Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2008/06/cleveland_orchestra_extends_we.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ James R. Oestreich (2008-06-07). "Cleveland Orchestra Extends Music Director’s Contract". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/arts/music/07cond.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-07.
- ^ a b c d "The Glorious Instrument". Time. 22 February 1963. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,828034,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-15.
- ^ Michael Walsh (1994-01-01). "The Finest Orchestra? (Surprise!) Cleveland". Time. http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,979946,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-15.
- ^ Valerie Scher (2005-09-04). "Ling bids farewell to fest: 'It is time for me to move on'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050904/news_1a04scher.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-15.
- ^ The Cleveland Orchestra and Miami Performing Arts Center announce 10-year agreement for annual residency appearances. Press release. 2005-05-09. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/html/PressRoom/pressreleases.asp?ID=100. Retrieved on 2007-07-15.
[edit] Further reading
- Rosenberg, Donald (2000). The Cleveland Orchestra Story. Cleveland: Gray & Company. ISBN 1886228248.
[edit] External links
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