The Philadelphia Orchestra
Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orch¬estras in the world through a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, best-selling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. With only six music directors piloting The Philadelphia Orch¬estra through its first century, the ensemble has maintained an unparalleled cohesiveness and unity in artistic leadership.
Photo by Michael T. Regan/The Philadelphia Orchestra Association |
This rich tradition is carried on by Christoph Eschenbach, who began his tenure as the Orchestra’s seventh music director in September 2003. His acclaimed first season saw the launch of the Orchestra’s first-ever multi-year cycle of Mahler’s complete symphonies and ended with a tour of the music capitals of Europe. The 2004-05 season celebrated the works of the great masters, and included a four-week festival entitled Late Great Works, featuring late works by Mozart, Strauss, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and Berio. The season closed with a three-week tour of Asia. The Orchestra’s 2005-06 season features all nine Beethoven symphonies, conducted by Mr. Eschenbach and paired with music of our time, including several world premieres.
Photo by Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Orchestra Association |
In May 2005, Mr. Eschenbach and The Philadelphia Orchestra announced a three-year recording partnership with Ondine Records, the Orchestra’s first recording contract in 10 years. Taken from live concerts, the first recording under the agreement was released in fall 2005. Other recent highlights include the Orchestra’s 2002-03 season, which celebrated Wolfgang Sawallisch’s 10 highly acclaimed years at the Orchestra’s helm. During his tenure, the Orchestra moved into its new home at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in December 2001, and celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
Photo by Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Orchestra Association |
The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of more than one million music lovers worldwide through its performances (more than 300 concerts and other pre¬sentations each year), publications, recordings, and broadcasts. A winter subscription season is presented in Phila¬delphia each year from September to May, including ex¬panded education and community part¬ner¬ship programs. The Orchestra also appears annually at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Its schedule each summer includes an outdoor season in Phila¬del¬phia with concerts in local neighborhoods and at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, followed by a three-week residency each August at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York. The Orchestra recently announced a three-year agreement for an annual week-long summer residency at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival beginning in July 2007.
For tickets and concert information, call 215-893-1999 or
visit http://www.philorch.org |