Seattle Symphony
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Seattle Symphony is an American orchestra based in Seattle, Washington. Gerard Schwarz has served as its music director since 1985.
The orchestra's first performance was given on December 29, 1903, with Harry West conducting. Known from its founding as the Seattle Symphony, it was renamed in 1911 as the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1919, the orchestra was reorganized with new bylaws under the name Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Even so, for most of its 100-year history, and especially today, the ensemble is known by the two-word name "Seattle Symphony."
Over 300,000 people each year attend performances of this Grammy-award-winning orchestra in Benaroya Hall, located in downtown Seattle. Its season runs from September through July.
Under Schwarz's leadership, the orchestra has become particularly known for performing works of 20th century composers, especially of neglected American composers. Together, Schwarz and the orchestra have recorded a sizable number of pieces, including the major orchestral works of Howard Hanson.
In addition to its own concerts, the Seattle Symphony serves as the pit orchestra for most productions of the Seattle Opera, including that company's annual Wagner presentations each summer.
[edit] Music Directors
- Gerard Schwarz (1983–)
- Rainer Miedél (1976–1983)
- Milton Katims (1954–1976)
- Manuel Rosenthal (1950–1951)
- Eugene Linden (1948–1950)
- Carl Bricken (1944–1948)
- Thomas Beecham (1941–1944)
- Nikolai Sokoloff (1938–1941)
- Basil Cameron (1932–1938)
- Karl Krueger (1926–1932)
- Mary Davenport-Engberg (1921–1924)
- John Spargur (1911–1921)
- Henry Hadley(1909–;1911)
- Michael Kegrize (1907–1909)
- Harry West (1903–1907)
