September is Classical Music Month and in honor of this occasion I have put together a list of major east coast orchestras and symphonies of the United States. It takes a lot of work, money and volunteers to found and maintain a major symphony and these cities are to be commended on the decades of live and recorded classical music they have provided. Now get out there and support your local symphony!
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Massachusetts
Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has had several famous conductors including Arthur Nikisch and Pierre Monteux. The Boston Symphony has also recorded some famous movie soundtracks including the John Williams composed scores for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. The 2008-2009 concert series includes works by the composers Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Brahms, Previn, Stravinsky, Mahler, Kirchner, Schumann, Beethoven, Messiaen, Boulez, Berlioz, Brahms and Strauss. Featured musical artists include Maija Kovalevska, Christine Shafer, Michael Volle, Andre Previn, Gil Shaham, Maurizio Pollini, Steven Ansell, Leonid Kavakos, Norah Amsellem and Christian Gerhaher. Check out the BSO here.
New York Philharmonic, New York City, New York
Founded in 1842, this is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. Directed by Lorin Maazel (in his final season as director) the 2008-2009 concert season includes works by Bruckner, Berlioz, Ibert, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Dvorak, Mahler, Bach, Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven. Featured musical artists include Sir James Galway, Yefim Bronfman, Stanley Drucker, Lisa Kim, Kuan-Cheng Lu, Rebecca Young, Eileen Moon and Joyce Yang. Highlight concerts this season include several All Mendelssohn (Feb 4-7, 2009) concerts in honor of his 200th birthday and All Handel (March 26-28, 2009) concerts in honor of the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death. The New York Philharmonic has received 19 Grammy Awards for Best Classical Album, Best orchestral Performance, Best Album for Children and many others. Check out the NYP here.
The Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1900 this major metropolitan orchestra has had only seven directors in its 100+ year history. And to prove that Philly is a city made up of friendly neighborhoods, the Philadelphia Orchestra will host a free City Hall Neighborhood concert on September 23 and another free concert for college students on September 25. What an excellent way to promote classical music! The 2008-2009 concert season will feature the works by composers Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Ravel, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Berlioz, Beethoven, Mahler and Mozart. Featured artists include Martha Argerich, Ruxandra Donose, Claudio Abbado, Roberto Abbado, Mary Dunleavy and Rodrick Dixon. Check out the Philadelphia Orchestra here.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore, Maryland
Founded in 1916 the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has the distinction of currently having the first woman to head a major symphony orchestra, Maestra Marin Alsop. The 2008-2009 season of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra includes works by composers Wagner, Holst, Bernstein, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert, Rossini, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Sibelius, Schumann and Beethoven. Featured musical artists to perform include Yo Yo Ma, Evelyn Glennie, Kelly O’Connor, Michael Cavanaugh, Madeline Adkins, Igor Yuzefovich and Dariusz Skoraczeski. Check out the BSO here.
National Symphony Orchestra, Washington D.C.
Founded in 1930, this orchestra performs at the famed John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The National Orchestra’s 2008-2009 season includes musical works by Glink, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Ravel, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Mahler, Haydn, Wagner, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Dvorak, Bach, Handel and Prokofiev. Featured musical guests include Arlo Guthrie (yup, that’s what I said), Itzhak Perlman, Linda Eder, Helene Grimaud, Brigit Remmert, Steven Isserlis, Elizabeth Connell, Juha Uusitalo and Jennifer Koh. Check out the National Symphony Orchestra here.
