Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

The Orchestra of St. Luke's is a classical music ensemble based in New York City. Founded in 1974, the ensemble has become one of the most respected and acclaimed orchestras in the United States. The Orchestra of St. Luke's was founded by a group of musicians who were interested in exploring the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. The ensemble was named after St. Luke's Church in Greenwich Village, where the musicians first began rehearsing. The founding members of the orchestra included a number of prominent musicians, including flutist Paula Robison, cellist Fred Sherry, and violinist Arnold Steinhardt. Over the years, the Orchestra of St. Luke's has grown in size and scope, and has become known for its innovative programming and collaborations with other artists. The ensemble has performed with a wide range of musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, and Wynton Marsalis. One of the highlights of the Orchestra of St. Luke's career was its performance at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The ensemble was chosen to perform at the opening ceremony, and played a piece by American composer Aaron Copland. The performance was widely praised for its energy and enthusiasm, and helped to raise the profile of the orchestra. In addition to its performances, the Orchestra of St. Luke's has also been recognized for its recordings. The ensemble has won several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album in 1995 for its recording of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Orchestra of St. Luke's is led by a number of prominent conductors, including Sir Roger Norrington, Pablo Heras-Casado, and Bernard Labadie. The ensemble also has a number of principal players, including violinist Krista Bennion Feeney, cellist Myron Lutzke, and oboist James Austin Smith. In recent years, the Orchestra of St. Luke's has continued to expand its repertoire and collaborations. The ensemble has worked with a number of contemporary composers, including John Adams and Nico Muhly, and has also performed with a number of popular musicians, including singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Despite its many accomplishments, the Orchestra of St. Luke's remains committed to its original mission of exploring the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. The ensemble continues to perform works by composers such as Bach, Handel, and Mozart, and has become known for its historically informed performances. Overall, the Orchestra of St. Luke's has established itself as one of the most important and innovative classical music ensembles in the United States. With its commitment to exploring new repertoire and collaborations, the ensemble is sure to continue to be a major force in the world of classical music for years to come.

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