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Ensemble

 

Concert Arts Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1948 by conductor and pianist, Felix Slatkin. The ensemble was established in Los Angeles, California, and quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and innovative programming. Felix Slatkin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1915. He began his musical career as a violinist, studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He later became interested in conducting and studied with the renowned conductor, Pierre Monteux. Slatkin moved to Los Angeles in the 1940s and began working as a studio musician, playing on film scores and recordings. In 1948, Slatkin founded Concert Arts Orchestra with the goal of creating a world-class ensemble that would showcase the best of classical music. The ensemble was made up of some of the finest musicians in Los Angeles, including members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood studio orchestras. One of the highlights of Concert Arts Orchestra's early years was their performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1950. The performance was a huge success and cemented the ensemble's reputation as one of the best in the country. The ensemble also performed regularly at the Hollywood Bowl, one of the most prestigious outdoor concert venues in the world. In addition to their performances in Los Angeles, Concert Arts Orchestra also toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. They performed in major cities such as New York, Chicago, London, and Paris, and received critical acclaim for their performances. One of the most notable members of Concert Arts Orchestra was Felix Slatkin's wife, Eleanor Slatkin. Eleanor was a cellist and played in the ensemble for many years. She was also a respected music educator and taught at the University of Southern California. Concert Arts Orchestra was known for their innovative programming, which often included works by contemporary composers alongside more traditional classical repertoire. They also collaborated with many famous soloists, including violinist Jascha Heifetz and pianist Arthur Rubinstein. In 1959, Concert Arts Orchestra won a Grammy Award for their recording of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The recording featured the Los Angeles Philharmonic and was conducted by Felix Slatkin. The recording was praised for its dynamic energy and precision. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Concert Arts Orchestra continued to perform and record extensively. They released numerous albums on the Capitol Records label, including recordings of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. In 1971, Felix Slatkin passed away at the age of 55. His son, Leonard Slatkin, who had also become a respected conductor, took over as the conductor of Concert Arts Orchestra. Under Leonard's leadership, the ensemble continued to perform and record, and they released several albums on the RCA Victor label. In 1987, Concert Arts Orchestra disbanded, but their legacy lives on through their recordings and the many musicians who were a part of the ensemble. They were known for their exceptional musicianship, innovative programming, and commitment to bringing classical music to audiences around the world.

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