Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra |
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The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is a major American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.
Intro
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world's most important orchestras. Acclaimed for its uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence, the Baltimore Symphony has attracted a devoted national and international following while maintaining deep bonds throughout Maryland through innovative education and community outreach initiatives.
The BSO made musical history in September 2007, when Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s 12th music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra. With her highly praised artistic vision, her dynamic musicianship and her commitment to accessibility in classical music, Maestra Alsop’s directorship has ushered in a new era for the BSO and its audiences.
The BSO flourishes under the dedicated leadership of Board Chairman Michael Bronfein and President & CEO Paul Meecham. Joining Maestra Alsop on the BSO conductor roster are Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, noted for his creative pops programming, and BSO Music Director Emeritus Yuri Temirkanov, who led the BSO from 1999 to 2006 and is regarded on every continent as one of the most talented conductors of his generation.
History
Founded in 1916, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is the only major American orchestra originally established as a branch of the municipal government. Reorganized as a private institution in 1942, it maintains close relationships with the governments and communities of the city and surrounding counties, as well as with the state of Maryland.
The BSO's modern history dates from 1965, when Baltimore arts patron Joseph Meyerhoff became president of the symphony orchestra, a position he held for 18 years. Meyerhoff appointed Romanian-born conductor Sergiu Comissiona as music director; together, the visionary philanthropist and the charismatic conductor ensured the creation of an artistic institution, which has become the undisputed leader of the arts community throughout the state of Maryland.
The BSO’s leadership includes Board Chairman Michael Bronfein and President & CEO Paul Meecham. Also on the BSO conductor roster are Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, noted for his creative pops programming, and BSO Music Director Emeritus Yuri Temirkanov, who led the BSO from 1999 to 2006 and is regarded as one of the most talented conductors of his generation.
Education, Outreach and Partnerships
For more than 80 years, the BSO has maintained an educational presence throughout Maryland, supporting the local community not only through concerts, recordings and radio programs, but also through its commitment to "giving back" with its education, outreach and mentorship programs.
In May 2008, the BSO unveiled a major education initiative, ''OrchKids'', an after-school program designed to effect social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City’s low-income neighborhoods. In collaboration with many community partners, the BSO’s OrchKids program will provide music education, instruments and mentorship to Baltimore’s neediest youngsters. The first year will commence at Harriet Tubman Elementary School (HTES) in September 2008 with approximately 25 first graders.
The BSO performs approximately 30 education concerts and open rehearsals each year for more than 60,000 area students in pre-school through 12th grade. Major initiatives include BSO on the Go, a program which brings small groups of BSO musicians into schools for free and interactive music education workshops, and "Side by Side" concerts, which allow student musicians to rehearse and perform a full-length concert alongside BSO musicians. The BSO at Strathmore is actively involved in giving back to Montgomery County and the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The BSO also serves adult music lovers through audience education programs such as pre-concert lectures and post-concert discussions.
Within the classical field, since fall 2007, the BSO has partnered with the Peabody Institute and the League of American Orchestras to sponsor the BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellowship, a two-year, master's-level program which gives an aspiring young conductor the opportunity to study at Peabody and with Marin Alsop and the BSO.
In 2004, the BSO forged a joint venture with the Soulful Symphony, one of the nation's only African-American orchestras. Founded in 2000 by composer and artistic director Darin Atwater, Soulful Symphony is an exploration of diverse musical expressions: classical, jazz, gospel and popular forms capturing a universal language that gives all cultures common ground.
Broadcasts
XM Satellite Radio: Hosted by XM Classics 110 Program Director Martin Goldsmith, each program features a full-length BSO concert conducted by Marin Alsop, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Alsop and guest artists.
iTunes Clueless About Classical: Hosted by Marin Alsop, these podcasts take novice listeners behind-the-scenes with the BSO, exploring repertoire, composers, musical concepts and orchestra life.
NPR’s "Weekend Edition" with Scott Simon: Maestra Alsop is a regular guest with her segment "Marin Alsop on Music."
NPR's Performance Today: Concerts broadcast across the U.S.
American Public Media's SymphonyCast: Concerts broadcast across the U.S.
Tours
With the appointment of David Zinman as music director in 1985, the BSO's reputation spread internationally. In 1987, the Orchestra conducted a critically acclaimed concert tour of Europe and the Soviet Union. The BSO was the first American orchestra in 11 years to tour the Soviet Union after cultural relations were resumed at the end of the Afghanistan war.
The Baltimore Symphony first visited East Asia in 1994, where they were proclaimed "the best of all the overseas orchestras" which performed in Japan during that year, in a field that included the Berlin, Vienna and New York philharmonics. A second tour took place in 1997 with legendary violinist Isaac Stern as soloist. A 20-member trade delegation led by Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend accompanied the Orchestra to enhance exchange opportunities in the areas of business and economic development, higher education and trade. Subsequent tours were led by Yuri Temirkanov, to Europe in 2001, to Japan in 2002 and again to Europe in 2005.
Recordings
The Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has achieved critical success for its prolific discography on such major labels as Argo/London, Telarc and Sony Classical, and with renowned artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Hélène Grimaud, and violinists Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn.
2008: Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" and Symphonic Variations, BSO and Marin Alsop, Naxos label
2007: John Corigliano's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, "The Red Violin." Music Director Designate Marin Alsop, BSO, Violinist Joshua Bell, Sony/BMG Classical label
2007: Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Marin Alsop, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, BSO, iTunes online distribution live-concert recording.
2000: Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Daniel Hege, BSO, Morgan State University Choir
1999: Leonard Bernstein's Serenade and Beethoven's Violin Concerto, David Zinman, BSO, Violinist Hilary Hahn, Sony Classical+
1997: Leonard Bernstein’s symphonic dance works, David Zinman, BSO, London
1997: George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel’s piano concertos, BSO, pianist Hélène Grimaud, Erato Disques
1997: Samuel Barber and William Walton’s violin concertos, David Zinman, BSO, violinist Joshua Bell, London+
1994: The New York Album, David Zinman, BSO, cellist Yo-Yo Ma*
1987: Barber and Britten, cello concertos David Zinman, BSO, cellistYo-Yo Ma, Sony Classical*
- -Grammy award-winning
+-Grammy nominated
Concert Halls
The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall has been the home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since its opening on September 16, 1982. Named for the late Baltimore philanthropist and former BSO president, Joseph Meyerhoff, the 2,443-seat hall has been hailed for its pristine acoustics and versatility. As one of the city's premier cultural venues, the Meyerhoff has played host to international classical stars such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Emanuel Ax, and popular performers including singer-songwriter Harry Connick, Jr., bluegrass singer Allison Krauss and comedian Jerry Seinfeld.
The Orchestra's second home is the 1,976-seat Music Center at Strathmore, located in North Bethesda, Maryland. With the opening of the Music Center at Strathmore in February 2005, the Baltimore Symphony became the nation's first orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas. As the founding partner and resident orchestra of the Music Center, the BSO presents 35 performances in the concert hall annually.
Music Directors
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External links
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra official site
- Marin Alsop official site
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians site
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra discography at Sony BMG Masterworks
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra discography at NAXOS
- Art of the States: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra