Austin Symphony Orchestra

The Austin Symphony Orchestra is the oldest performing group in Austin, Texas, USA. It was founded in 1911.

Austin Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Founded1911 (1911)
LocationAustin, Texas, United States
Concert hallLong Center for the Performing Arts
Principal conductorPeter Bay
Music directorPeter Bay
Websitewww.austinsymphony.org

History

The inaugural concert was held on April 25, 1911.[1] Initially, the orchestra consisted of 28 unpaid members and an unpaid conductor.[2] It now has over 90 members, but is still not a full-time orchestra.[1] It was not until 1948 that a paid music director was appointed — Ezra Rachlin being the first appointee – and a regular concert series was presented.[1] He remained in the post for 21 years, until 1969.[3]

Rachlin organised a drive-in concert, the world's first, in 1948. The first children's concert was held in 1951.[2]

The Centennial Gala Performance took place on April 28, 2011, with the violinist Itzhak Perlman as soloist,[4] as well as a performance of Alexandre Luigini's Ballet égyptien, which had been played at the first performance a century earlier.[2]

Organization

The current, and eighth, music director is Peter Bay, who has been in the post since 1997.[1][5] Past directors include Maurice Peress (1970–73), Akira Endo and Sung Kwak.[6]

The symphony plays its regular season concerts in Dell Hall at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Austin.[7]

References

  1. Austin 360.com
  2. Texas Home and Living, 18 March 2011 Archived October 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ezrarachlin.com
  4. "The Austin Symphony". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  5. The Austin Symphony
  6. Gershunoff Artists Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. Dinges, Gary (November 17, 2015). "New outdoor concert series planned for Long Center". Austin American Statesman. Archived from the original on June 8, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2015.


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