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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THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA TICKETS
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The Cleveland Orchestra: An American In Paris Tickets 1/9 | Jan 09, 2025 Thu, 7:30 PM | | The Cleveland Orchestra: An American In Paris Tickets 1/11 | Jan 11, 2025 Sat, 8:00 PM | | The Cleveland Orchestra: An American In Paris Tickets 1/12 | Jan 12, 2025 Sun, 3:00 PM | | The Cleveland Orchestra: Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms Tickets 1/16 | Jan 16, 2025 Thu, 7:30 PM | | The Cleveland Orchestra: Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms Tickets 1/17 | Jan 17, 2025 Fri, 7:30 PM | |
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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 Rodzinski (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.
Szell is also credited with giving the orchestra its distinct, European sound.
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.
[4] [5] In the 1960s fans were 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!'"
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).
Locations
Severance Hall is the Cleveland Orchestra's home. It was built for the orchestra in 1931. The orchestra performs the majority of its concerts at Severance and also uses the hall for rehearsals and to house their administrative offices.
During the summer months, the orchestra presents their annual
Blossom Festival at the
Blossom Music Center in
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. 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]
Music directors
- 1918-1933 Nikolai Sokoloff
- 1933-1943 Artur Rodzinski
- 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
See also
- Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra
- Cleveland Women's Orchestra
- Cleveland Chamber Symphony
- CityMusic Cleveland
- Red (an orchestra)
- The Contemporary Youth Orchestra
References
- Which U.S. Orchestras are Best?
- Cleveland Orchestra extends Welser-Most's contract until 2018, plans staged operas
- Cleveland Orchestra Extends Music Director’s Contract
- The Finest Orchestra? (Surprise!) Cleveland
- The Glorious Instrument
- Ling bids farewell to fest: 'It is time for me to move on'
- The Cleveland Orchestra and Miami Performing Arts Center announce 10-year agreement for annual residency appearances