Brooklyn Philharmonic
The Brooklyn Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City. It is the resident orchestra of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), and also gives performances at the Brooklyn Museum and other venues. The Philharmonic usually presents between 4 and 8 full-orchestra concerts per year in its "Mainstage" series, as well as chamber music and educational concerts, and special events. The Brooklyn Philharmonic is considered a "freelance" orchestra, in that its musicians are not employed full-time with the orchestra, and are paid on a per-service basis. While it is not considered a "major" American orchestra, over the years it has enjoyed a reputation for championing new music, and for ambitious, innovative programming.
History
Siegfried Landau founded the orchestra in 1954 under the name of the "Brooklyn Philharmonia". From its outset, Landau gave the orchestra a focus on contemporary or infrequently performed classical music. Landau resigned in 1971 after the orchestra had reduced its season and programming opportunities for Landau.[1] In 1982, the orchestra changed its name to the Brooklyn Philharmonic. The orchestra's second music director, Lukas Foss, was noted for his "Meet the Moderns" series of concerts. Dennis Russell Davies, principal conductor of the orchestra and concurrent music director of BAM, championed festival-themed weekend programs.[2]
The orchestra has also encountered periodic financial and audience subscription difficulties. In 1991 and 1992, the orchestra lost about 1700 subscribers out of a total of 3000, after BAM president Harvey Lichtenstein and Davies announced a focus exclusively on 20th century music for the orchestra.[3] Furthermore, the orchestra faced an accumulated USD $400,000 deficit in the late 1990's. Joseph Horowitz became the orchestra's artistic advisor, and executive director, over the time of 1992 to 1997, overlapping with the tenure of Davies and concern about the relationship between BAM and the orchestra.[2]
Robert Spano, the orchestra's fourth music director, took the post in 1996, without having heard the orchestra prior to his appointment. He is credited with improving the overall sound of the orchestra and continuing the focus on unusual programming.[4] [2] [3] The fifth and current music director, as of 2005, Michael Christie, has worked to restore thematic programming to the orchestra's schedule.[5] In September 2007, the orchestra announced the extension of Christie's initial 3-year contract through the 2009-2010 season, with an evergreen clause to allow for yearly renewal.[6]
In 2005, the orchestra was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[7] Prior to 2006, the orchestra's accumulated debt was around USD $700,000, but fund-raising by 2006 had reduced the debt to $300,000 and also brought in $200,000 in cash reserves.[8]
Music Directors
- Siegfried Landau (1954 - 1971)
- Lukas Foss (1971 - 1988)
- Dennis Russell Davies (Principal Conductor, 1991 - 1996)
- Robert Spano (1996 - 2004)
- Michael Christie (2005 - present)
References
- ^ Dennis Hevesi (21 February 2007). "Siegfried Landau, Conductor, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ a b c Allan Kozinn (6 December 1998). "High Notes and Red Ink; The Brooklyn Philharmonic Is Scaling Musical Heights. But Will It Stumble on the Bottom Line?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ a b Anne Midgette (5 March 2002). "When Acclaim Isn't Enough". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ James Barron (30 March 1999). "A Fight for Life at the Other Philharmonic". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Allan Kozinn (4 February 2008). "Drama in Stories Written in Sounds". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ "Music Director Michael Christie Announces New Initiatives as Part of His Contract Extension" (PDF) (Press release). Brooklyn Philharmonic. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ Sam Roberts (6 July 2005). "City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Daniel J. Wakin (12 August 2005). "Brooklyn Philharmonic Names a New Music Director". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-28.