Country

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Canada

Genre

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Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) is a world-renowned classical music ensemble based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1934, the OSM has become one of the most respected and celebrated orchestras in North America, known for its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming. The OSM was founded by a group of music enthusiasts led by conductor Wilfrid Pelletier, who served as the orchestra's first music director. The ensemble's inaugural concert took place on November 14, 1934, at the Théâtre Saint-Denis in Montreal, and featured works by Beethoven, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky. Over the years, the OSM has been led by a number of distinguished conductors, including Zubin Mehta, Charles Dutoit, and Kent Nagano. Nagano, who served as music director from 2006 to 2020, is credited with expanding the orchestra's repertoire and bringing a new level of international recognition to the ensemble. The OSM is made up of approximately 100 musicians, many of whom are internationally renowned soloists and chamber musicians in their own right. The ensemble's principal players include concertmaster Andrew Wan, principal cellist Brian Manker, and principal oboist Theodore Baskin. Throughout its history, the OSM has been recognized for its exceptional performances and innovative programming. In 1967, the orchestra performed at the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Montreal, playing a program that included works by Canadian composers as well as pieces by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. In 1982, the OSM embarked on a tour of the Soviet Union, becoming the first North American orchestra to perform in the country since the Cold War began. The tour was a great success, with the ensemble receiving standing ovations and critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike. In 1993, the OSM won a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance for its recording of Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, conducted by Charles Dutoit. The ensemble has also been recognized with numerous other awards and honors, including the Grand Prix du Disque de l'Académie Charles Cros, the Prix Opus, and the National Arts Centre Award. In recent years, the OSM has continued to push the boundaries of classical music, collaborating with artists from a wide range of genres and backgrounds. In 2019, the ensemble performed a concert with the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, playing a program that included some of the band's most iconic songs. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSM has continued to innovate and adapt, offering virtual concerts and live-streamed performances to audiences around the world. The ensemble remains committed to its mission of bringing the beauty and power of classical music to as many people as possible, and continues to inspire and delight audiences with its exceptional musicianship and innovative programming.

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