Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Symphony

 

The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1808. It is one of the oldest orchestras in the United States and has a rich history of musical excellence. The orchestra was originally founded as the Pierian Sodality, a student organization at Harvard University that was dedicated to the study and performance of music. The group was named after the Pierian Spring, a mythological fountain in Greece that was said to inspire creativity and the arts. Over the years, the Pierian Sodality grew in size and reputation, and in 1919 it officially became the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. The ensemble is now composed of both Harvard and Radcliffe students, and it continues to be a student-run organization. The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra has had many notable members over the years, including composer Leonard Bernstein, who served as the orchestra's conductor in the 1940s. Other notable alumni include conductor John Adams, composer John Harbison, and violinist Joshua Bell. The orchestra has also had many notable performances over the years. In 1963, the orchestra performed at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, and in 1971 it performed at the inauguration of President Richard Nixon. The orchestra has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to its performances, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra has also won many awards over the years. In 2015, the orchestra won the American Prize in Orchestral Performance, and in 2016 it won the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. One of the highlights of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra's history was its performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2, also known as the "Resurrection Symphony," in 2014. The performance was conducted by Federico Cortese, the orchestra's music director at the time, and featured soprano soloist Mary Wilson and mezzo-soprano soloist Janna Baty. The performance was widely praised for its emotional intensity and musical excellence. The Boston Globe called it "a triumph," and the Harvard Crimson described it as "a stunning display of the orchestra's talent and dedication." Another notable performance by the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra was its 2017 performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, also known as the "Choral Symphony." The performance was conducted by Cortese and featured the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, a choir composed of Harvard and Radcliffe students. The performance was notable for its inclusion of a sign language interpreter, who translated the lyrics of the symphony's final movement for deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members. The performance was widely praised for its inclusivity and accessibility. The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra continues to be a vibrant and active part of the Harvard and Radcliffe communities. It performs regularly throughout the academic year, and its members are dedicated to the study and performance of classical music. With its rich history and commitment to musical excellence, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra is sure to continue to inspire and delight audiences for many years to come.

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