Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the "Big Five" symphony orchestras in the United States and usually considered among the finest in the world. Since 2001, its annual series of concerts have been performed in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, just down the street from the Academy of Music where in had played for a century since its founding.

Related Topics:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Big Five - Symphony orchestra - United States - Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - Academy of Music

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was founded in 1900 by Fritz Scheel, who also acted as its first conductor. In 1907, Karl Pohlig took over the post, but it was Leopold Stokowski, who became principal conductor in 1912, who made it famous. Under him, the orchestra gained a reputation for great virtuosity.

Related Topics:
Fritz Scheel - Conductor - Karl Pohlig - Leopold Stokowski

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was under Stokowski's direction that the orchestra was featured in the 1940 Disney film Fantasia.

Related Topics:
1940 - Disney - Fantasia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1936, Eugene Ormandy joined the organisation, and jointly held the post of Principal Conductor with Stokowski until 1938, when he took over the role full time. He remained with the orchestra for forty years, and many of the orchestra's best known recordings were made under his baton.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ormandy was succeeded by Riccardo Muti (principal conductor 1981-92) and Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2002). The orchestra's current music director is Christoph Eschenbach.

Related Topics:
Riccardo Muti - Wolfgang Sawallisch - Christoph Eschenbach

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~