Misplaced Pages

Russian Symphony Orchestra Society: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 14:35, 29 January 2013 editPigsonthewing (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Event coordinators, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, IP block exemptions, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers, Template editors266,337 edits Template:← Previous edit Revision as of 02:44, 30 January 2013 edit undoNikkimaria (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users232,531 edits cleanupNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Russian Symphony Orchestra Society
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| background = classical_ensemble
| alias = Russian Symphony Orchestra
| origin = {{Start date|1903}}, ], ]
| years_active = <!-- YYYY?YYYY (or ?present) -->
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}

] ]

The '''Russian Symphony Orchestra Society''' (also known simply as the '''Russian Symphony Orchestra''') was founded in 1903 in ]<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: Plans Outlined for the Coming Worcester Festival&mdash;Russian Symphony Society Incorporated&mdash;Notes Concerning Coming Events of Importance", ''New York Times'', 1903-09-20, p. 21.</ref><ref name=Slatkin>Leonard Slatkin, ''Conducting Business: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Maestro'' (2012), Amadeus Press, p. 32. ISBN 1574672045. Accessed 2013-01-24.</ref> by ], and functioned for fifteen years.<ref name=Slatkin/> The '''Russian Symphony Orchestra Society''' (also known simply as the '''Russian Symphony Orchestra''') was founded in 1903 in ]<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: Plans Outlined for the Coming Worcester Festival&mdash;Russian Symphony Society Incorporated&mdash;Notes Concerning Coming Events of Importance", ''New York Times'', 1903-09-20, p. 21.</ref><ref name=Slatkin>Leonard Slatkin, ''Conducting Business: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Maestro'' (2012), Amadeus Press, p. 32. ISBN 1574672045. Accessed 2013-01-24.</ref> by ], and functioned for fifteen years.<ref name=Slatkin/>


Line 23: Line 6:
They performed the New York premieres of numerous pieces by ], ] and ], including Stravinsky's first symphony (the '']'') and '']''.<ref name=Levant /> They performed the New York premieres of numerous pieces by ], ] and ], including Stravinsky's first symphony (the '']'') and '']''.<ref name=Levant />


The orchestra's debut public performance was at ] Hall, January 7, 1904 and, according to ], featured works by ], ], ], and the American premiere of Rachmaninoff's '']''.<ref name=Slatkin /> However, the ''New York Times'' of January 3, 1904 lists the program as consisting of the Overture from Glinka's '']'', a baritone aria from ]'s '']'', an ''intermezzo'' from ], a Russian dance by ] and the symphonic suite '']'' by ];<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: &hellip;Russian Symphony Concerts&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-03, p. 17.</ref> The ''Times'' of January 24 that same year mentions their second concert as including Wieniawski's ''Souvenir de Moscou''<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-24, p. 17.</ref> and reviewing a later concert in the series mentions a performance of "'The Cliff' by Rachmaninoff," presumably the same piece as ''The Rock''.<ref>"Some Stageland Jottings: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-29, p. 9.</ref> The orchestra's debut public performance was at ] Hall on January 7, 1904, and, according to ], featured works by ], ], ], and the American premiere of Rachmaninoff's '']''.<ref name=Slatkin /> However, the ''New York Times'' of January 3, 1904 lists the program as consisting of the Overture from Glinka's '']'', a baritone aria from ]'s '']'', an ''intermezzo'' from ], a Russian dance by ] and the symphonic suite '']'' by ];<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: &hellip;Russian Symphony Concerts&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-03, p. 17.</ref> The ''Times'' of January 24 that same year mentions their second concert as including Wieniawski's ''Souvenir de Moscou''<ref>"Of Music and Musicians: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-24, p. 17.</ref> and reviewing a later concert in the series mentions a performance of "'The Cliff' by Rachmaninoff," presumably the same piece as ''The Rock''.<ref>"Some Stageland Jottings: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-01-29, p. 9.</ref>


For the 1904&ndash;1905 season, the orchestra, now expanded to 85 musicians,<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra, ''New York Times'', 1904-11-20, p. 9.</ref> performed six concerts at ], featuring a works by a broad range of Russian composers,<ref name="1905-11-05" /><ref>"Echoes from the World of Music: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-10-16, p. SMA6.</ref> including a violin concerto by ].<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1904-10-30, p. 8.</ref> The ''Times'' summarized the season as "resplendent with novelties,"<ref name="1905-04-02">"The Russian Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-04-02, p. 9.</ref> and praised their "enthusiasm"<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1904-12-25, p. 7.</ref> and the "absorbing interest" of their selected material,<ref name="1905-04-02" /> but was critical of the technical quality of their performances, particularly in comparison with their initial series of concerts at Cooper Union.<ref name="1905-04-02" /><ref>"The Russian Symphony", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-22, p. 5.</ref> That season, they were the first to use a ] in concert performance in the United States.<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-04, p. X4.</ref> Among many Russian pieces given their American premieres that season was Rimsky-Korsakov's '']'';<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-15, p. SMA4.</ref> the fourth concert of the season consisted entirely of works that had never before been presented in New York: ]'s first symphony, ]'s suite "Silhouettes", and excerpts from ]'s opera '']''.<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-02-19, p. X3.</ref> For the 1904&ndash;1905 season, the orchestra, now expanded to 85 musicians,<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra, ''New York Times'', 1904-11-20, p. 9.</ref> performed six concerts at ], featuring a works by a broad range of Russian composers,<ref name="1905-11-05" /><ref>"Echoes from the World of Music: &hellip;Russian Symphony Orchestra&hellip;", ''New York Times'', 1904-10-16, p. SMA6.</ref> including a violin concerto by ].<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1904-10-30, p. 8.</ref> The ''Times'' summarized the season as "resplendent with novelties,"<ref name="1905-04-02">"The Russian Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-04-02, p. 9.</ref> and praised their "enthusiasm"<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1904-12-25, p. 7.</ref> and the "absorbing interest" of their selected material,<ref name="1905-04-02" /> but was critical of the technical quality of their performances, particularly in comparison with their initial series of concerts at Cooper Union.<ref name="1905-04-02" /><ref>"The Russian Symphony", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-22, p. 5.</ref> That season, they were the first to use a ] in concert performance in the United States.<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-04, p. X4.</ref> Among many Russian pieces given their American premieres that season was Rimsky-Korsakov's '']'';<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-01-15, p. SMA4.</ref> the fourth concert of the season consisted entirely of works that had never before been presented in New York: ]'s first symphony, ]'s suite "Silhouettes", and excerpts from ]'s opera '']''.<ref>"Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-02-19, p. X3.</ref>
Line 29: Line 12:
The next year, their six Saturday night concerts at Carnegie Hall were supplemented by three "popular price" concerts there on Sunday afternoons.<ref name="1905-10-05">"A Season of Great Musical Activity&hellip; Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-10-05, p. X1.</ref> The orchestra formed a relationship with ]<ref>"Russian Symphony Concerts", ''New York Times'', 1905-07-29, p. 7.</ref> Rachmininoff was engaged as a guest conductor and piano soloist for concerts of his music performed on April 7&ndash;8, 1906, and Safonov's former pupil, pianist ], was brought over to make his American debut;<ref name="1905-10-05" /> both were in their early thirties at the time, as was composer ], whose ''Rhapsodie Hébraïque'' was also performed that season at Safonov's suggestion.<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1905-12-17, p. X1.</ref> Pianist ] also participated in the season as a soloist, playing Rachmaninoff's ].<ref>"Musical Notes: New York's Musical Public Increasing Rapidly", ''New York Times'', 1905-10-29, p. X1&ndash;X2.</ref><ref name="1905-10-05">"The Russian Symphony", ''New York Times'', 1905-11-12, p. X1.</ref> Now expanded to 90 musicians, the orchestra was becoming an increasingly professional affair with, as the ''Times'' put it, "soloists of the first rank."<ref name="1905-11-05">"Russian Symphony Orchestra, ''New York Times'', 1905-11-05, p. X1.</ref> The next year, their six Saturday night concerts at Carnegie Hall were supplemented by three "popular price" concerts there on Sunday afternoons.<ref name="1905-10-05">"A Season of Great Musical Activity&hellip; Russian Symphony Orchestra", ''New York Times'', 1905-10-05, p. X1.</ref> The orchestra formed a relationship with ]<ref>"Russian Symphony Concerts", ''New York Times'', 1905-07-29, p. 7.</ref> Rachmininoff was engaged as a guest conductor and piano soloist for concerts of his music performed on April 7&ndash;8, 1906, and Safonov's former pupil, pianist ], was brought over to make his American debut;<ref name="1905-10-05" /> both were in their early thirties at the time, as was composer ], whose ''Rhapsodie Hébraïque'' was also performed that season at Safonov's suggestion.<ref>"Musical Notes", ''New York Times'', 1905-12-17, p. X1.</ref> Pianist ] also participated in the season as a soloist, playing Rachmaninoff's ].<ref>"Musical Notes: New York's Musical Public Increasing Rapidly", ''New York Times'', 1905-10-29, p. X1&ndash;X2.</ref><ref name="1905-10-05">"The Russian Symphony", ''New York Times'', 1905-11-12, p. X1.</ref> Now expanded to 90 musicians, the orchestra was becoming an increasingly professional affair with, as the ''Times'' put it, "soloists of the first rank."<ref name="1905-11-05">"Russian Symphony Orchestra, ''New York Times'', 1905-11-05, p. X1.</ref>


The orchestra toured extensively,<ref name=Levant /> and their tours could involve large numbers of performances. For example, a newspaper from ] shows the orchestra performing four separate concerts (at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) on a single Wednesday in September 1911. The programs were each entirely different, and the music ranged from ] through ], ] and ] to ] and Scriabin.<ref>, ''The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1911-09-06, p. 16.</ref> The orchestra toured extensively,<ref name=Levant /> and their tours could involve large numbers of performances. For example, a newspaper from ] shows the orchestra performing four separate concerts (at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) on a single Wednesday in September 1911. The programs were each entirely different, and the music ranged from ] through ], ] and ] to ] and Scriabin.<ref>, ''The Gazette Times'' (Pittsburgh), 1911-09-06, p. 16.</ref>


==Notes== ==Notes==

Revision as of 02:44, 30 January 2013

An ad for the first performance of the Russian Symphony Orchestra Society

The Russian Symphony Orchestra Society (also known simply as the Russian Symphony Orchestra) was founded in 1903 in New York City by Modest Altschuler, and functioned for fifteen years.

Oscar Levant described the orchestra as having constituted "a school for concertmasters"; among its members were Frederic Fradkin (concertmaster of the Boston Symphony), Maximilian Pilzer (concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic), Ilya Skolnik (concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony), and Louis Edlin (concertmaster of the National Orchestral Association). Film music conductors Nikolai Sokoloff and Nat Finston were also Russian Symphony Orchestra alumni, as was trumpeter Harry Glantz.

They performed the New York premieres of numerous pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky and Alexander Scriabin, including Stravinsky's first symphony (the Symphony in E-flat) and The Firebird.

The orchestra's debut public performance was at Cooper Union Hall on January 7, 1904, and, according to Leonard Slatkin, featured works by Mikhail Glinka, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Henryk Wieniawski, and the American premiere of Rachmaninoff's The Rock. However, the New York Times of January 3, 1904 lists the program as consisting of the Overture from Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila, a baritone aria from Borodin's Prince Igor, an intermezzo from Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, a Russian dance by Eduard Nápravník and the symphonic suite Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov; The Times of January 24 that same year mentions their second concert as including Wieniawski's Souvenir de Moscou and reviewing a later concert in the series mentions a performance of "'The Cliff' by Rachmaninoff," presumably the same piece as The Rock.

For the 1904–1905 season, the orchestra, now expanded to 85 musicians, performed six concerts at Carnegie Hall, featuring a works by a broad range of Russian composers, including a violin concerto by Julius Conus. The Times summarized the season as "resplendent with novelties," and praised their "enthusiasm" and the "absorbing interest" of their selected material, but was critical of the technical quality of their performances, particularly in comparison with their initial series of concerts at Cooper Union. That season, they were the first to use a celesta in concert performance in the United States. Among many Russian pieces given their American premieres that season was Rimsky-Korsakov's The Tale of Tsar Saltan; the fourth concert of the season consisted entirely of works that had never before been presented in New York: Vasily Kalinnikov's first symphony, Anton Arensky's suite "Silhouettes", and excerpts from Modest Mussorgsky's opera Khovanshchina.

The next year, their six Saturday night concerts at Carnegie Hall were supplemented by three "popular price" concerts there on Sunday afternoons. The orchestra formed a relationship with Vasily Safonov Rachmininoff was engaged as a guest conductor and piano soloist for concerts of his music performed on April 7–8, 1906, and Safonov's former pupil, pianist Joseph Lhévinne, was brought over to make his American debut; both were in their early thirties at the time, as was composer Vasily Zolotarev, whose Rhapsodie Hébraïque was also performed that season at Safonov's suggestion. Pianist Raoul Pugno also participated in the season as a soloist, playing Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto. Now expanded to 90 musicians, the orchestra was becoming an increasingly professional affair with, as the Times put it, "soloists of the first rank."

The orchestra toured extensively, and their tours could involve large numbers of performances. For example, a newspaper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania shows the orchestra performing four separate concerts (at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) on a single Wednesday in September 1911. The programs were each entirely different, and the music ranged from Beethoven through Richard Wagner, Verdi and Puccini to Sibelius and Scriabin.

Notes

  1. "Of Music and Musicians: Plans Outlined for the Coming Worcester Festival—Russian Symphony Society Incorporated—Notes Concerning Coming Events of Importance", New York Times, 1903-09-20, p. 21.
  2. ^ Leonard Slatkin, Conducting Business: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Maestro (2012), Amadeus Press, p. 32. ISBN 1574672045. Accessed on Google Books 2013-01-24.
  3. ^ Oscar Levant, A Smattering of Ignorance (1940), Doubleday, p. 27-28.
  4. "Of Music and Musicians: …Russian Symphony Concerts…", New York Times, 1904-01-03, p. 17.
  5. "Of Music and Musicians: …Russian Symphony Orchestra…", New York Times, 1904-01-24, p. 17.
  6. "Some Stageland Jottings: …Russian Symphony Orchestra…", New York Times, 1904-01-29, p. 9.
  7. "Russian Symphony Orchestra, New York Times, 1904-11-20, p. 9.
  8. ^ "Russian Symphony Orchestra, New York Times, 1905-11-05, p. X1.
  9. "Echoes from the World of Music: …Russian Symphony Orchestra…", New York Times, 1904-10-16, p. SMA6.
  10. "Musical Notes", New York Times, 1904-10-30, p. 8.
  11. ^ "The Russian Orchestra", New York Times, 1905-04-02, p. 9.
  12. "Musical Notes", New York Times, 1904-12-25, p. 7.
  13. "The Russian Symphony", New York Times, 1905-01-22, p. 5.
  14. "Russian Symphony Orchestra", New York Times, 1905-01-04, p. X4.
  15. "Russian Symphony Orchestra", New York Times, 1905-01-15, p. SMA4.
  16. "Russian Symphony Orchestra", New York Times, 1905-02-19, p. X3.
  17. ^ "A Season of Great Musical Activity… Russian Symphony Orchestra", New York Times, 1905-10-05, p. X1. Cite error: The named reference "1905-10-05" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  18. "Russian Symphony Concerts", New York Times, 1905-07-29, p. 7.
  19. "Musical Notes", New York Times, 1905-12-17, p. X1.
  20. "Musical Notes: New York's Musical Public Increasing Rapidly", New York Times, 1905-10-29, p. X1–X2.
  21. Symphony Programs Cause Enthusiasm, The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1911-09-06, p. 16.
Categories: