Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was a professional orchestra based in Syracuse, New York. It was founded in 1961 by a group of local musicians and music lovers who wanted to bring high-quality classical music to the Central New York region. The SSO quickly gained a reputation for excellence and became one of the most respected orchestras in the country. The SSO's first music director was Karl Kritz, a Viennese conductor who had worked with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. Kritz led the orchestra for 13 seasons, during which time the SSO grew in size and stature. In 1974, the SSO moved into its permanent home, the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater in the John H. Mulroy Civic Center. Over the years, the SSO attracted many talented musicians, including concertmaster Peter Rovit, principal cellist David LeDoux, and principal clarinetist Allan Kolsky. The orchestra also collaborated with many renowned soloists, such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. One of the SSO's most notable achievements was its recording of the complete symphonies of Beethoven, which was released on the Vox label in the 1970s. The recordings received critical acclaim and helped to establish the SSO as a major orchestra on the national stage. In addition to its regular concert series, the SSO also performed at many special events and festivals. One of its most memorable performances was at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, where the orchestra played the national anthems of all the participating countries. The SSO also received many awards and honors over the years. In 1983, it was named the "Orchestra of the Year" by the New York State Council on the Arts. In 1991, it received a Grammy nomination for its recording of the music of Samuel Barber. And in 2001, it was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts' "American Masterpieces" grant. Despite its many successes, the SSO faced financial difficulties in the early 2000s. In 2011, it filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. However, its legacy lives on through the many recordings and performances that it left behind, as well as the many musicians and music lovers who were inspired by its dedication to excellence.

More....