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St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
782px-Powell Symphony Hall.jpg
Powell Hall home of the St. Louis Symphony
Former name
  • St. Louis Choral-Symphony
  • Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Founded 1880; 145 years ago (1880)
Concert hall Powell Hall
Principal conductor Stéphane Denève

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is a famous American symphony orchestra located in St. Louis, Missouri. It was started in 1880 by Joseph Otten as the St. Louis Choral Society. This makes it one of the oldest professional symphony orchestras in the United States.

The orchestra's main concert hall is Powell Hall, which is in the middle of St. Louis.

The Orchestra's Journey: A Look Back

Early Days and New Names

The St. Louis Choral Society first performed in the St. Louis Mercantile Library. In 1881, an orchestra of 31 musicians joined the 80-member chorus. By 1893, the group officially became the St. Louis Choral-Symphony.

They performed at the 1904 World's Fair with a large chorus and orchestra. Later, between 1907 and 1921, under the leadership of Max Zach, the group changed its name to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Moving to Powell Hall and Touring the World

Before finding its home at Powell Hall, the SLSO played for many years at the Kiel Opera House. The orchestra has performed often at Carnegie Hall in New York. They have also traveled to Europe and Japan for concerts.

The St. Louis Symphony has made many recordings over the years. They have won seven Grammy Awards and received 58 nominations for their music. Since 1978, the St. Louis Symphony has also been the main orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Growing Famous and Facing Challenges

The orchestra became much more famous when Leonard Slatkin was its music director from 1979 to 1996. During this time, they made many recordings and toured widely.

Around 2000, the orchestra faced some financial difficulties. Many people worked hard to raise money and help the orchestra. Musicians even agreed to some changes to help the group.

New Leaders and Important Moments

After Hans Vonk left as music director in 2002, Itzhak Perlman helped guide the orchestra for a couple of years. In 2003, David Robertson was chosen as the next music director, starting in 2005.

In 2005, there was a period of disagreement between the musicians and the orchestra's management. After about two months of talks, they reached an agreement. Everyone worked together to keep the music playing.

David Robertson led the SLSO from 2005 to 2018. During his time, the orchestra began broadcasting its concerts live on St. Louis Public Radio. They also performed at The Proms in London for the first time in 2012.

New Ideas and Future Plans

In 2008, Fred Bronstein became the orchestra's president. He brought in new ideas to attract more people to concerts. This included popular concert series like "Live at Powell Hall." These efforts helped ticket sales grow and brought many new fans to the symphony.

In 2015, Marie-Hélène Bernard became the new president and CEO. In 2017, Stéphane Denève was named the next music director, starting in the 2019-2020 season. His contract was extended through the 2025-2026 season.

In March 2022, the orchestra announced plans to update Powell Hall. The renovations began in 2023. While the hall is being updated, the orchestra performs at other venues like the Touhill Performing Arts Center and the Stifel Theatre. The renovated building will be called the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, but the concert hall will still be known as Powell Hall.

Awards and Recognition

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has won nine Grammy Awards and received 60 nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This shows how much their musical talent is recognized!

Year Category Works Conductor Additional Nominees Result
1978 Best Classical Performance - Choral Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky Leonard Slatkin Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 1 Nominated
1979 Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Rachmaninoff: Symphony Nos. 2 & 3 Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Classical Producer of the Year Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3 Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Choral Beethoven: "Choral Fantasy," "Elegiac Song," "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage" Jerzy Semkow Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1980 Classical Producer of the Year Bizet: Carmen Suites 1 and 2; Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites 1 and 2 Leonard Slatkin Robert Woods Won
1981 Best Classical Performance - Choral Prokofiev: Music from the films, Ivan the Terrible Leonard Slatkin Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1982 Best Classical Performance - Orchestra Debussy: La Mer, Prelude a l'apres midi d'un Faune, Danses Sacre et Profane Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Album
Classical Producer of the Year Robert Woods Won
Best Classical Performance - Choral Rachmaninoff: The Bells, "Three Russian Songs" Thomas Peck, Chorus director Nominated
1983 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Del Tredici: In Memory of a Summer Day (Child Alice, Part 1) Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort
Classical Producer of the Year Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz Won
1984 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 Leonard Slatkin Won
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Paul Goodman
Best Classical Album Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Jay David Saks
1985 Best Classical Album Prokofiev: Cinderella Suite Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Paul Goodman
Classical Producer of the Year Prokofiev: Cinderella Suite; Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Jay David Saks Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Paul Goodman, Thomas MacCluskey Nominated
1986 Best Classical Album Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Marc Aubort
Classical Producer of the Year Marc Aubort, Joanna Nickrenz
Classical Producer of the Year Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Jay David Saks Nominated
1987 Best Classical Album Hanson: Symphony No. 2, "Romantic"; Barber: Violin Concerto Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Orchestral Recording Hanson: Symphony No. 2, "Romantic"
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Barber: Violin Concerto Elmar Oliveira, violin
Best Contemporary Composition Schwantner: A Sudden Rainbow Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Brahms: Serenade No. 1; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 Jay David Saks Nominated
1988 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Copland: Appalachian Spring Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Joanna Nickrenz
Best Contemporary Composition Bolcom: Symphony No. 4 Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano Nominated
1989 Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Schuman: Violin Concerto; Bernstein: Serenade Leonard Slatkin Robert McDuffie, violin Nominated
Classical Producer of the Year Patti Laursen
1990 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8 Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical William Hoekstra
1991 Best Classical Album Barber: Symphony No. 1 and Piano Concerto Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra John Browning, piano Won
Best Engineered Recording - Classical William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Orchestral Performance Copland: Symphony No. 3 Nominated
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra Bartok: Violin/Viola Concertos Pinchas Zuckerman, violin Nominated
1992 Best Classical Orchestral Recording Schuman: Symphony No. 10, New England Triptych, American Festival Overture, Variations on America (orch. Ives) Leonard Slatkin Nominated
1993 Best Orchestral Performance Ives: Symphony No. 3 Leoanrd Slatkin Nominated
Best Contemporary Composition Erb: Concerto for Brass and Orchestra Nominated
1994 Best Engineered Recording - Classical Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin and Concerto for Orchestra Leonard Slatkin William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Copland: Music for Films William Hoekstra Won
1995 Best Engineered Recording - Classical Anderson: The Typewriter: Leroy Anderson Favorites Leonard Slaktin William Hoekstra Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Orff: Carmina Burana William Hoekstra Nominated
1996 Best Classical Album Copland: Dance Symphony, Short Symphony, Organ Symphony Leonard Slatkin Nominated
Best Engineered Recording - Classical Lawrence Rock, Williams Hoekstra
Classical Producer of the Year Joanna Nickrenz Won
2015 Best Orchestral Performance Adams: City Noir and Saxophone Concerto David Robertson Tim McAllister, saxophone Won
Best Engineered Album - Classical Richard King Nominated
2016 Best Classical Instrumental Solo Adams: Scheherazade.2 David Robertson Leila Josefowicz, violin Nominated

St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra

Leonard Slatkin started the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1970. This group helps young musicians develop their skills. The orchestra's assistant conductor also leads the Youth Orchestra.

Many talented conductors have led the Youth Orchestra over the years. Stephanie Childress was the assistant conductor and music director for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons. As of July 2024, Samuel Hollister was named the new assistant conductor and music director for the 2024-2025 season.

Chorus Ensembles

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has two main singing groups: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the IN UNISON Chorus.

St. Louis Symphony Chorus

The St. Louis Symphony Chorus was founded in 1977. It performs in major concerts throughout each season. This chorus often sings in choral symphonies, which are large musical pieces for orchestra and choir. Thomas Peck was its first director. Amy Kaiser led the chorus from 1995 to 2022. In July 2024, Erin Freeman became the new director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus.

IN UNISON Chorus

The IN UNISON Chorus was started in 1994 by Robert Ray. This chorus performs many different styles of music. It especially focuses on music from African-American and African cultures, like gospel music. The IN UNISON Chorus works with several churches in the St. Louis area. Kevin McBeth currently directs this group. The chorus celebrated its 25th anniversary in the 2018-2019 season.

Holiday Festival Chorus

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra also has a Holiday Festival Chorus. This group is made up of high school singers from the St. Louis area. They perform at holiday concerts each season, bringing festive music to the community.

Music Directors

  • Joseph Otten (1880–1894)
  • Alfred Ernst (1894–1907)
  • Max Zach (1907–1921)
  • Rudolph Ganz (1921–1927)
  • Vladimir Golschmann (1931–1958)
  • Edouard van Remoortel (1958–1962)
  • Eleazar de Carvalho (1963–1968)
  • Walter Susskind (1968–1975)
  • Jerzy Semkow (1975–1979)
  • Leonard Slatkin (1979–1996)
  • Hans Vonk (1996–2002)
  • David Robertson (2005–2018)
  • Stéphane Denève (2019–present)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Orquesta Sinfónica de San Luis para niños

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