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62-798: The Curtis Institute of Music was founded in 1924, following the formation of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1900 and the Philadelphia Opera Company in 1908 and amidst industrial decline and political corruption in Philadelphia . The institute's founder, Mary Louise Curtis Bok , a philanthropist, administrator, and major proponent of the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia , named the new school after her father, publishing magnate Cyrus Curtis . The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania chartered

124-537: A 78rpm set of his 3rd Symphony , a work that Stokowski had premiered on November 6, 1936. In particular, he and Ormandy were also close associates and Rachmaninoff was supposed to have said that in his American years he composed with the sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra in his head. The many recordings of the music of Rachmaninoff by Ormandy were noted as being closest to the composer's desire. Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances , Op. 45, his last work,

186-590: A Curtis-affiliated individual. Non-Curtis collections of published and unpublished materials, as well as published materials by anyone (Curtis-related or not), can be found in Special Collections. Official Curtis recordings are part of the library collection. The Dover Quartet is the Penelope P. Watkins Ensemble in Residence at Curtis. Their faculty residency integrates teaching and mentorship, and

248-582: A November 2023 New York Times opinion piece as "not a signal of approval of China’s policies but rather, "our journeys to China signify a belief in the possibility of change through dialogue." In November 2023, as part of the U.S. State Department 's Global Music Diplomacy Initiative and ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden 's meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco , 14 musicians traveled to China for

310-426: A conspiracy to oust him. Leopold Stokowski became music director in 1912 and brought the orchestra to national prominence. Under his guidance, the orchestra gained a reputation for virtuosity, and developed what is known as the "Philadelphia Sound." Stokowski left the orchestra in 1941, and did not return as a guest conductor for nearly 20 years. In 1936, Eugene Ormandy joined the organization, and jointly held

372-430: A downward spiral.' The players rejected 1–2 percent per year increases offered by management. The base pay rate was noted as less than what other similar orchestras are offering. The strike was settled after three days when musicians approved a new contract on October 2, 2016. The new agreement is scheduled to raise the base salary to $ 137,800 and to increase the size of the orchestra to 97 over three years. In March 2018,

434-892: A four-year period of cultural disengagement between the American and the Chinese people caused by the COVID-19 pandemic . The Orchestra's first recordings were made for the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, New Jersey , in 1917, when Leopold Stokowski conducted performances of two of Brahms 's Hungarian Dances . The historic first electrical recordings were also made at Victor's Trinity Church Studio in Camden, in April 1925; Saint-Saëns ' Danse macabre

496-411: A means to another end. In an official statement, Bok wrote about the goals and expectations of the institution: “It is my aim that earnest students shall acquire a thorough musical education not learning only to sing or play, but also the history of music, the laws of its making, languages, ear training and musical appreciation. They shall learn to think and to express their thoughts against a background of

558-562: A number of recordings with the orchestra of music of Robert Schumann , Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner , among other composers, for the EMI label. However, the orchestra lost its recording contract with EMI during this time, which led to a musicians' strike for 64 days in 1996. Near the end of Sawallisch's tenure, the orchestra released a self-produced set of recordings of the Schumann symphonies with Sawallisch conducting. In 2003, Sawallisch

620-429: A number of significant media firsts. It was the first symphony orchestra to make electrical recordings (in 1925). It was the first orchestra to make a commercially sponsored radio broadcast (on NBC in 1929) and the first to appear on a television broadcast (on CBS in 1948). The Philadelphia was the first American orchestra to make a digital recording of the complete Beethoven symphonies on compact disc (in 1988), and

682-429: A quiet culture, with the stimulus of personal contact with artist teachers who represent the highest and finest in their art. The aim is for quality of the work rather than quick, showy results.” When the institute opened, it included two distinct divisions: a preparatory division for 400 students and a conservatory for 200 students. Tuition was five hundred dollars, and the school opened with 357 students. Mary Bok became

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744-519: A series of performances amid a low point in US-China relations , recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Orchestra's cultural exchanges with China, winning praise from both Biden and Xi for its use of music diplomacy in improving bilateral relations. U.S. Ambassador to China R. Nicholas Burns described the visit as "a very important" and "perfectly timed event," noting that it "turned the page" on

806-476: A series of recordings for RCA Victor with the orchestra in 1941 and 1942; the master discs for these records were supposedly damaged during processing, resulting in unusually high surface noise and distortion and they were not approved for release at the time. In 1963, after extensive electronic editing, RCA Victor issued one of the recordings on LP, the Schubert Symphony in C Major . In 1977, all of

868-414: A training ground for orchestral musicians to fill the ranks of the Philadelphia Orchestra , although composers , organists , pianists , guitarists , and singers are offered courses of study as well. With the exception of composers, conductors, pianists, organists, and guitarists, admission is granted only to the number of students to fill a single orchestra and opera company. Accordingly, enrollment

930-551: A variety of online retailers, including iTunes , Amazon.com , Rhapsody , and eMusic . In other media, musicians from the orchestra were featured in a documentary film by Daniel Anker, Music from the Inside Out , which received theatrical release and television airings. The orchestra received its first Grammy Award in 2022, for their recording of the first and third symphonies of Florence Price . Randall Thompson Randall Thompson (April 21, 1899 – July 9, 1984)

992-560: Is David Kim . Past concertmasters have included Norman Carol and Erez Ofer. Past Associate Conductors of the orchestra have included William Smith, Luis Biava, and Rossen Milanov. In 2014, Stéphane Denève was appointed principal guest conductor, Cristian Măcelaru as conductor-in-residence, and Lio Kuokman as assistant conductor. In 2016, Kensho Watanabe succeeded Kuokman as assistant conductor. Erina Yashima has served as assistant conductor since 2019. Denève served as principal guest conductor from 2014 through 2020. As of June 2016,

1054-490: Is his anthem, Alleluia , commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood . He also wrote the operas Solomon and Balkis and The Nativity According to St. Luke . Americana , a song cycle , is written in a 20th-century musical art style known as "News Items"—compositions that parody newspaper layout and content, or whose lyrics are lifted from media of

1116-512: Is in the range of 150 to 175 students. According to statistics compiled by the U.S. News & World Report , the institute has the lowest acceptance rate of any college or university (4 percent), making it among the most selective institutions of higher education in the United States. Nina Simone claimed her application for a scholarship was rejected because of her race, despite her excellent credentials and audition performance. Simone

1178-798: Is the Mann Center for the Performing Arts . It also has summer residencies at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center , and since July 2007 at the Bravo! Vail Valley Festival in Vail, Colorado . The orchestra also performs an annual series of concerts at Carnegie Hall . From its earliest days the orchestra has been active in the recording studio, making extensive numbers of recordings, primarily for RCA Victor and Columbia Records . Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been serving as

1240-579: Is to: provide Curtis students, faculty, and staff with the best possible collection of printed music, books, periodicals, recordings, and electronic resources needed to fulfill the school's mission; promote the Rock Resource Center's holdings through forward thinking and open patron service; and preserve and make Curtis’s past accessible to the greater Curtis community. The Curtis Archives comprises largely unpublished materials whose value derives from its collection by, ownership of, or relation to,

1302-660: Is used for weekly student recitals, faculty and alumni concerts, master classes, and recording sessions. It also houses a 5-manual, 116-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ. The Rock Resource Center of the Curtis Institute of Music contains more than 100,000 music scores, books, and recordings for study and performance. Comprising the John de Lancie Library and the Curtis Archives, the Rock Resource Center’s mission

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1364-588: The University of Virginia , and at Harvard University . He is particularly noted for his choral works. He was an honorary member of the Rho Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity at Appalachian State University . Thompson composed three symphonies and numerous vocal works including Americana , The Testament of Freedom , Frostiana , and The Peaceable Kingdom , inspired by Edward Hicks 's painting. His most popular and recognizable choral work

1426-480: The war years . This focus caused a shift away from orchestra , opera , and chamber music and a reduction of the instrumental faculty. Due to the war, enrollment decreased from 223 in 1937 to 100 in 1942. In 1944, the Curtis Alumni Association established a concert office to assist graduates in their professions. In 2020, following credible allegations of abuse at the hands of past faculty,

1488-470: The 2010–2011 season, and 5 weeks of scheduled appearances in the 2011–2012 season. Eventually, in 2012, he was appointed music director, succeeding Dutoit, who subsequently was named conductor laureate of the orchestra. Nézet-Séguin's initial contract as music director was for 5 seasons, with 7 weeks of scheduled concerts in the 2012–2012 season, 15 weeks in the next 2 seasons, and 16 weeks in the subsequent 2 seasons of his Philadelphia contract. In January 2015,

1550-517: The 2021–2022 season, with a contract of 3 years. In February 2023, the orchestra announced a further extension of Nézet-Séguin's contract, through the 2029–2030 season, along with a change in his title to music and artistic director. In January 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Marin Alsop as its next principal guest conductor, effective with the 2024–2025 season, with an initial contract of 3 seasons. The Philadelphia Orchestra boasts

1612-615: The Curtis Institute on April 18, 1924, which opened in October 1925 on three mansions on 1727 and 1720 Locust Street and 235 South 18th Street. Both the Curtis Institute and the Settlement Music School shared a building at Queen Street in South Philadelphia for the first year. Bok established the institute to train talented musicians for professional careers and to teach music for its own sake and not as

1674-461: The Ondine label. However, in October 2006, Eschenbach and the orchestra announced the conclusion of his tenure as music director in 2008, for a total of five years, the shortest tenure as music director in the history of the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with Pohlig. After Eschenbach's departure, the Philadelphia Orchestra was without a music director for four years. In February 2007, Charles Dutoit

1736-478: The Philadelphia Orchestra announced a three-year recording partnership with the Finnish label Ondine , the Orchestra's first recording contract in 10 years. The resumption of a regular recording program was one of Christoph Eschenbach 's stated priorities as music director. Eight recordings were released after November 2005 to largely positive reviews. On September 21, 2006, the Philadelphia Orchestra became

1798-545: The Polish pianist Artur Rubinstein made his American debut with the orchestra. Additionally in 1906, the orchestra traveled to the White House to perform in an exclusive concert. In February 1907, Leandro Campanari took over and served as interim conductor for a short time during Scheel's illness and after his death. A flutist in the orchestra, August Rodemann, stood in before Campanari's arrival. He started sabotaging

1860-482: The U.S. premiere of The Bells and accompanied the composer in his 3rd Piano Concerto . In 1924 they collaborated on an acoustically recorded 78rpm set of the 2nd Piano Concerto , re-recording it electrically in 1929. On March 18, 1927, Stokowski conducted the world premieres of the Three Russian Folk Songs , of which he was the dedicatee, and the 4th Piano Concerto , again with the composer at

1922-406: The United States or Europe. The new funds further allowed all students to study at Curtis at no cost. Since 1928, the institute has not charged tuition; it provides full scholarships to all admitted students. Instead, students pay comprehensive fees and other additional fees to cover the cost of maintaining buildings, health insurance, meal plans, a library fee, and a graduation fee. As of fall 2023,

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1984-466: The choice of the next Music Director. In December 2008, at the invitation of Dutoit, Yannick Nézet-Séguin made his first guest-conducting appearance with the orchestra. He returned for a second series of concerts in December 2009. In June 2010, Nézet-Séguin was appointed Music Director Designate, with a scheduled duration under that title from 2010 to 2012, with 2 weeks of scheduled appearances in

2046-507: The comprehensive fee for Curtis is $ 3,500, and the health insurance fee, which can be waived if a parental health insurance plan provides adequate protection, of $ 2,500. With the new endowment, the school purchased several Steinway pianos and enough instruments for an orchestra so that students would not have to pay for instruments. The school faced financial difficulties in the 1930s, decreased enrollment, and had to remove some departments and reduce salaries. Josef Hoffman resigned in 1938 and

2108-649: The conservatory’s first president, a position she would hold until 1969. Johann Grolle served as the first school director for one year, William E. Walter became director in 1925 and Josef Hofmann , head of the piano department, became director in 1927. The institute added a library in 1925 with over 5,000 volumes. Other notable original faculty included conductor Leopold Stokowski , violinist Carl Flesch , pianists David Saperton and Isabelle Vengerova , singers Marcella Sembrich and Andreas Dippel , cellist Michel Penha , and flutist William Kincaid . Under Josef Hofmann as director, Curtis made several new changes to advance

2170-449: The country and broadcast the orchestra on the radio. The school held its first commencement a decade after opening, awarding Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. Starting in the late 1920s, Curtis made significant changes to fully support students financially. In 1928, Mrs. Louis Bok expanded the school's first endowment of $ 500,000 to $ 12.5 million. The school started providing summer residency programs for advanced students in

2232-589: The day. The lyrics are lifted from the "Americana" section of H. L. Mencken 's American Mercury magazine, which would reprint quotes and stories from U.S. publications. The song cycle's texts come from such publications as the Seattle, Washington, Post-Intelligencer , the Little Rock, Arkansas, Gazette , and a leaflet issued by the National Women's Christian Temperance Union. Leonard Bernstein

2294-439: The first major United States orchestra to sell downloads of its performances directly from the orchestra's website. While other American orchestras had downloads of their music on the internet, the Philadelphia Orchestra said it was the first to offer the downloads without a distributor. In 2010, the orchestra abandoned this practice and formed a partnership with IODA , a digital distribution company with downloads available through

2356-399: The first major orchestra to give a live cybercast of a concert on the internet (in 1997). In 2006, the orchestra was the first to offer downloads of music from its own website without a distributor. In other firsts, in 1999, under Wolfgang Sawallisch , it became the first American orchestra to visit Vietnam . In 2006, the orchestra appointed Carol Jantsch principal tuba as of 2006–2007,

2418-511: The keyboard. Another world premiere took place on November 7, 1934, when Stokowski conducted the composer in the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini , with the two musicians making its first recording shortly afterwards. Rachmaninoff himself also took on the role of conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra, recording Isle of the Dead and Vocalise with them in 1929, followed ten years later by

2480-510: The musicians, Nézet-Séguin volunteered in August 2011 to add a week in his 2011–2012 season appearances. On July 30, 2012, the orchestra announced that it had officially emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, effective that day. On September 30, 2016, the orchestra's players went out on strike , one hour before its scheduled Opening Night Gala concert. The musicians issued a statement: 'We can no longer remain silent while we continue in

2542-717: The next 23 years. In 1968, Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra returned to RCA Victor and made their first digital recording, Bartók 's Concerto for Orchestra , for the label in 1979. The Orchestra has also recorded for EMI and Teldec . From 1935 to 1976 The Philadelphia Orchestra performed as The Robin Hood Dell Orchestra for a summer concert series held at Robin Hood Dell, an outdoor stage in Fairmount Park . Close to 50 recordings were released under The Robin Hood Dell Orchestra name. In May 2005,

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2604-403: The orchestra announced the appointment of Matías Tarnopolsky as its next president and chief executive officer, in succession to Allison Vulgamore, who held the posts from 2010 through December 2017. In December 2020, the orchestra announced the appointment of Nathalie Stutzmann as its next principal guest conductor, the first female conductor ever named to this Philadelphia post, effective with

2666-494: The orchestra announced the extension of Nézet-Séguin's contract to the 2021–22 season. In June 2016, the orchestra announced a further extension of Nézet-Séguin's contract through the 2025–2026 season. In December 2017, the orchestra announced the discontinuation of its relationship with Dutoit and the revocation of his title as its conductor laureate, with immediate effect, in the wake of allegations against him of sexual assault. The Philadelphia Orchestra's current concertmaster

2728-579: The orchestra does not have its own chorus. The orchestra formerly worked with the Philadelphia Singers as its resident chorus until the Philadelphia Singers disbanded in May 2015. On April 16, 2011, the Philadelphia Orchestra's board of directors voted to file for Chapter 11 reorganization due to the organization's large operational deficit. This was the first time that a major U.S. orchestra had filed for bankruptcy . Amid mounting dissent from

2790-670: The orchestra is based at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts , where it performs its subscription concerts, numbering over 130 annually, at Marian Anderson Hall (formerly Verizon Hall). From its founding until 2001, the Philadelphia Orchestra gave its concerts at the Academy of Music . The orchestra continues to own the Academy, and returns there one week per year for the Academy of Music's annual gala concert and concerts for school children. The Philadelphia Orchestra's summer home

2852-401: The orchestra's first ever female principal tuba player and the first in a full-time American orchestra. The Orchestra was known for its special relationship with the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff due primarily to Stokowski's championship. In his first season, on January 3, 1913, Stokowski conducted Isle of the Dead . Later, in an all-Rachmaninoff programme on February 3, 1920, Stokowski gave

2914-425: The orchestra's music director since 2012. Matías Tarnopolsky was appointed president and CEO in August 2018. The orchestra was founded in 1900 by Fritz Scheel , who also acted as its first conductor . The orchestra had its beginnings with a small group of musicians led by the pianist F. Cresson Schell (1857–1942). In 1904, Richard Strauss guest conducted the orchestra in a program of his compositions, and in 1906

2976-420: The performances and Campanari was obliged to remove himself from a bad situation. In 1907, Karl Pohlig became music director and served until 1912. New music he programmed was unpopular with audiences, and revelations that he had an extra-marital affair with his secretary caused outrage. The orchestra cancelled his contract and gave him a year's salary ($ 12,000) in severance to avoid a suit from Pohlig alleging

3038-453: The post of principal conductor with Stokowski until 1938 when he became its sole music director. He remained as music director until 1980, after which he became Conductor Laureate. Ormandy conducted many of the orchestra's best-known recordings and took the orchestra on its historic 1973 tour of the People's Republic of China , making it the first Western orchestra to visit the country. The tour

3100-527: The recordings were finally issued in a 5 LP boxed set; they were later digitally remastered and reissued twice on compact disc by RCA Victor in 1992 and again in 2006. During the 1942–44 AFM Recording Ban , the orchestra's contract with RCA Victor expired; following the settlement of the strike in November, 1944, the orchestra joined Columbia Records , recording some of the dances from Borodin 's Prince Igor . The Philadelphians remained with Columbia for

3162-413: The resident ensemble will recruit promising young string quartets to nurture a new generation of professional chamber ensembles. 39°56′56″N 75°10′14″W  /  39.9488°N 75.1706°W  / 39.9488; -75.1706 Philadelphia Orchestra The Philadelphia Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra , based in Philadelphia . One of the " Big Five " American orchestras,

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3224-453: The school ended its practice of keeping students enrolled "at the discretion of their major instrument teacher". In accepting the findings of an independent investigation of abuse allegations that found the practice was a "real threat" and a student "could be dismissed for any reason at any time", Curtis pledged several other steps to ensure students' well-being, including providing them with access to counseling. The institute formerly served as

3286-471: The school's standards and publicize the school. Hofmann reduced enrollment to ensure that students would receive individualized attention. Curtis initiated weekly radio broadcasts through CBS in 1929. The Curtis String Quartet was established in 1928 and lasted until 1981. From 1931 to 1941, Fritz Reiner served as the conductor of the Curtis Orchestra, who toured with the orchestra throughout

3348-532: Was an American composer, particularly noted for his choral works. Thompson attended The Lawrenceville School , where his father was an English teacher. He then attended Harvard University , became assistant professor of music and choir director at Wellesley College , and received a doctorate in music from the University of Rochester 's Eastman School of Music . He went on to teach at the Curtis Institute of Music (serving as its Director 1941/1942), at

3410-407: Was appointed chief conductor and artistic adviser for four seasons, starting in the fall of 2008 and running through the 2011–2012 season. This move was made to provide an "artistic bridge" while the orchestra searched for its eighth music director. According to news articles from August 2007, the orchestra had now devised a search process in which each musician in the orchestra would have a say in

3472-502: Was highly successful and it has since returned for thirteen additional successful tours. Riccardo Muti became principal guest conductor of the orchestra in the 1970s, and assumed the role as Music Director from Ormandy in 1980, serving through 1992. His recordings with the orchestra included the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven , Johannes Brahms , and Alexander Scriabin , for the EMI and Philips labels. Wolfgang Sawallisch succeeded Muti as Music Director from 1993 to 2003. He made

3534-493: Was named Conductor Laureate, and held the title until his death in 2013. In 2003, Christoph Eschenbach succeeded Sawallisch as music director. This appointment was controversial because Eschenbach had not conducted the orchestra in over four years and there was a perceived lack of personal chemistry between him and the musicians prior to the appointment. At least one early report tried to downplay this concern. The orchestra returned to commercial recordings with Eschenbach, on

3596-423: Was one of 75 pianists to audition in 1951; only three were accepted. A short while before her death, Simone was awarded an honorary diploma by Curtis. Gould Rehearsal Hall A 2,850-square-foot, acoustically designed rehearsal hall accommodates a full orchestra, with state-of-the-art video and audio capabilities. Field Concert Hall is a 240-seat auditorium with facilities for both video and audio recording. The venue

3658-551: Was one of Thompson's students both at Harvard and at Curtis, according to his own testimony in a speech he gave at Curtis Institute's 75th Anniversary Banquet. Thompson's other notable students include Samuel Adler , Leo Kraft , Juan Orrego-Salas , John Davison , Thomas Beveridge , Charles Edward Hamm , George Lynn , William P. Perry , Christopher King , Joel Cohen , Frederic Rzewski , Richard Edward Wilson , John Walter Hill, and David Borden . In honor of Thompson's vast influence on male choral music, on May 2, 1964, he became

3720-581: Was premiered by Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to whom it is dedicated, on January 3, 1941. The Orchestra has played an important role in U.S.-China relations. It made diplomatic history in 1973 when it became the first American orchestra to tour the People's Republic of China , performing in Beijing 's Great Hall of the People and Shanghai . It has since returned 12 times, a decision that Orchestra president and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky described in

3782-454: Was succeeded by Randall Thompson , who became director in 1939 and held the post for two years. Thompson introduced mandatory weekly lectures providing an overview of music history. Violinist Efrem Zimbalist , who had become the head of the violin department in 1930 at Curtis, replaced Thompson as director in 1941. Under Zimbalist, the institute focused more on training soloists and cutting down on costs, which became especially necessary during

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3844-513: Was the first to be recorded. Later, in 1926, Victor began recording the Orchestra in the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Stokowski led the ensemble in experimental long-playing, high-fidelity, and even stereophonic sessions in the early 1930s for RCA Victor and Bell Laboratories . During 1939–40, Stokowski and the orchestra recorded the soundtrack for Walt Disney 's Fantasia in multi-track stereophonic sound . Arturo Toscanini made

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