The Austin Symphony Orchestra is the oldest performing group in Austin, Texas, USA. It was founded in 1911.
| Austin Symphony Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 | |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Location | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Concert hall | Long Center for the Performing Arts |
| Principal conductor | Peter Bay |
| Music director | Peter Bay |
| Website | www |
History
editThe inaugural concert of the Austin Symphony Orchestra was held on April 25, 1911.[1] Initially, the orchestra consisted of 28 unpaid members and an unpaid conductor.[2] The orchestra 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b c d Austin 360.com
- ^ a b c Texas Home and Living, 18 March 2011 Archived October 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ezrarachlin.com
- ^ "The Austin Symphony". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
- ^ The Austin Symphony
- ^ Gershunoff Artists Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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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