The Cleveland Orchestra is considered one of, if not the best symphony orchestra in the country. In fact, it is critically acclaimed as one of the best in the entire world, and is ranked with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic. Whenever our orchestra goes on European tours it is met with rave reviews.
The orchestra was established in 1918. It was under the long leadership of conductor George Szell from 1946 until 1970 that the orchestra gained prominence. Szell is credited with giving the orchestra its "European sound".
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The orchestra performs at beautiful Severance Hall in the University Circle area of Cleveland. Severance Hall was completed in 1931, and is named after John Severance, a local industrialist whose donations made the construction possible. In 1958 an acoustical shell was built around the stage. While it dramatically improved the sound in the concert hall, its modern style clashed with the rest of the interior, and it covered the pipe organ, making it non-functional. In 1998 a complete renovation of the interior was undertaken. The acoustical shell was removed and replaced with one that fit the elegant décor of the hall, and that revealed the pipe organ once again. The organ was restored. (A few years ago I attended a breathtaking performance of the "Organ Symphony" of Saint-Saens.)
The main lobby of Severance Hall
The wife of John Severance died before the hall was completed. It is said that the brocade-like decoration on the ceiling was based on the fabric of her wedding gown.
In the summer the orchestra performs at the Blossom Music Center, which is located 33 miles to the south of Cleveland in the woodlands of the Cuyahoga National Park. The center was opened in 1968. The pavilion seats 5,700 people, and the sloping lawn accommodates 13,000.
Thanks for the tour. As you pointed out not only is the orchestra 'world class' but so is Severance Hall. I recall the death of George Szell in 1970 as I was a student at Ohio State at that time. While an undergrad at John Carroll my best fiend was attending Case Western Reserve and we would meet and listen to the orchestra practice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I too remember when George Szell passed away... I had just graduated from high school. I also remember my first time in Severance Hall... a field trip to hear the orchestra when I was in 6th grade.
DeleteIndeed every day is a good day to learn something. Thanks to your post, not only did I learn that the Cleveland Orchestra is ranked among the best in the world, but I also had a chance to admire the Severance Hall by way of the pictures. It was very fortunate that the renovation of the hall made it possible to unveil the pipe organ again. But you know what I liked best? The picture of an open air summer concert! I imagined myself lying on the grass, my eyes closed and my ears wide-open not to miss a single note of the concert. Not many people in Mexico attend concerts of classical music, it seems that the halls are very imposing. But what about a concert in the park?
ReplyDeleteHola, Tino. Thanks for your comment. We are very fortunate here in Cleveland (which is not one of the largest cities in the U.S.) to have this world class institution. I have to admit that I have never purchased outdoor tickets for Blossom Music Center. With our unpredictable weather in Ohio, I am afraid that it would rain.
DeleteYou should go on YouTube sometime, search for the Cleveland Orchestra, and watch and listen to our great orchestra.
¡Saludos!
I would add that the Cleveland Orchestra has made many a wonderful recording, and there are many many CDs and LPs of amazing performances from it that should be available in any decent record store.
DeleteAfter the concert I stopped in the gift shop and bought a recording by the orchestra of Mahler's 1st symphony. I'm taking it with me to Spain as a present for my cousin Werner. (He is a classical music fan. When I went to Madrid to meet him for the first time, he got us tickets for a concert at the Royal Opera House. We had seats right next to the Royal Box. If Queen Sophia had been in attendance, I could have waved and said, "Hi, Sophie!" LOL)
DeleteI graduated from the 'old' South High, off Broadway & E74th st. in 1960. Our graduation ceremony was held at Severance Hall. It is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. Yes, it is a fabulous building... and even better since the renovation.
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of listening to the Cleveland Orchestra on the radio growing up. And I have more than one recording of concerts led by George Szell too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful background and pictures. I will definitely have to get to Cleveland one of these days to see the museum and listen to the Orchestra.
Saludos,
Kim G
Tehuacán, Puebla
Where the church bells ring twenty or thirty times at erratic intervals.
Thanks for your comment, Kim. We are so fortunate to have such a cultural treasure here in Cleveland. Let me know when you make it to Cleveland!
Delete¡Saludos!
P.S. I love the new header photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've played around with different pictures for the header photo... but I think that this one, of the ruins of Teotenango, is the most appropriate for my blog.
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