If you are a classical music lover, you might be wondering which symphony orchestras in the United States are worth listening to. There are many factors that can influence your choice, such as the repertoire, the conductor, the venue, and the quality of the musicians.
Top 10 Symphony Orchestras in the United States
In this article, we will present our list of the top 10 symphony orchestras in the United States, based on their reputation, history, awards, and reviews. We will also provide some information about their upcoming concerts and how to get tickets.
1. Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the oldest and most prestigious orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1891, it has been led by some of the most renowned conductors in history, such as Fritz Reiner, Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, and Riccardo Muti. The CSO has won 62 Grammy Awards, more than any other orchestra in the world. It performs at the Symphony Center in downtown Chicago, a historic building that was renovated in 1997 to improve its acoustics and amenities. The CSO also tours regularly around the world and has a strong presence on social media and streaming platforms.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the CSO include:
- Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Muti and the Chicago Symphony Chorus (December 16-18, 2021)
- Mozart’s Requiem with Muti and soloists (January 13-15, 2022)
- Mahler’s Third Symphony with Muti and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato (February 3-5, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://cso.org/
2. Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is another venerable institution in the American classical music scene. Founded in 1881, it has been led by some of the most influential conductors of the 20th century, such as Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, Erich Leinsdorf, Seiji Ozawa, and James Levine. The BSO has won 26 Grammy Awards and has a long tradition of commissioning and premiering new works by American composers. It performs at the Symphony Hall in Boston, a landmark building that is widely regarded as one of the best concert halls in the world for its acoustics and beauty. The BSO also runs the Tanglewood Music Festival in the summer, where it offers outdoor concerts and educational programs.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the BSO include:
- Brahms’ A German Requiem with Andris Nelsons and soloists (December 2-4, 2021)
- Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Nelsons and violinist Leonidas Kavakos (January 6-8, 2022)
- Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 with Nelsons (January 20-22, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.bso.org/
3. New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, founded in 1842. It has been led by some of the most famous conductors in history, such as Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Alan Gilbert, and Jaap van Zweden. The New York Philharmonic has won 16 Grammy Awards and has a rich legacy of innovation and outreach. It performs at the David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, a modern venue that is currently undergoing a major renovation to enhance its sound and design. The New York Philharmonic also tours extensively around the world and offers various digital initiatives and educational programs.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the New York Philharmonic include:
- Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with van Zweden and pianist Yefim Bronfman (December 9-11, 2021)
- Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with van Zweden and pianist Emanuel Ax (January 6-8, 2022)
- Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring with van Zweden (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://nyphil.org/
4. Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) is one of the most innovative and progressive orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1919, it has been led by some of the most visionary conductors of the 21st century, such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, and John Adams. The LA Phil has won 23 Grammy Awards and has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. It performs at two iconic venues: the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a stunning architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry, and the Hollywood Bowl, a legendary outdoor amphitheater. The LA Phil also offers a wide range of artistic and educational programs for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the LA Phil include:
- Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Dudamel and soloists (December 16-19, 2021)
- John Adams’ Harmonielehre with Dudamel (January 7-9, 2022)
- Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with Dudamel and soloists (January 14-16, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.laphil.com/
5. Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the most respected and admired orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1900, it has been led by some of the most distinguished conductors of the past century, such as Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Christoph Eschenbach, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The Philadelphia Orchestra has won 11 Grammy Awards and has a reputation for its lush and distinctive sound. It performs at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art venue that opened in 2001. The Philadelphia Orchestra also collaborates with various cultural and community partners and engages in social impact initiatives.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra include:
- Handel’s Messiah with Nézet-Séguin and soloists (December 9-12, 2021)
- Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Nézet-Séguin and pianist Daniil Trifonov (January 6-8, 2022)
- Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 with Nézet-Séguin (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.philorch.org/
6. Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the most acclaimed and admired orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1918, it has been led by some of the most eminent conductors of the modern era, such as George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Christoph von Dohnányi, Franz Welser-Möst, and Giancarlo Guerrero. The Cleveland Orchestra has won seven Grammy Awards and has a reputation for its excellence and precision. It performs at the Severance Hall, a beautiful and elegant venue that was built in 1931. The Cleveland Orchestra also operates the Blossom Music Festival in the summer, where it offers outdoor concerts and family-friendly events.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the Cleveland Orchestra include:
- Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 with Welser-Möst and pianist Mitsuko Uchida (December 9-11, 2021)
- Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 with Welser-Möst (January 6-8, 2022)
- Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 with Welser-Möst (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/
7. San Francisco Symphony
The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) is one of the most innovative and adventurous orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1911, it has been led by some of the most creative conductors of the contemporary era, such as Pierre Monteux, Seiji Ozawa, Michael Tilson Thomas, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and John Adams. The SFS has won 15 Grammy Awards and has a strong commitment to new music and multimedia projects. It performs at the Davies Symphony Hall, a modern and spacious venue that was opened in 1980. The SFS also offers a variety of artistic and educational programs for diverse audiences.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the SFS include:
- Handel’s Messiah with Salonen and soloists (December 16-18, 2021)
- Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with Salonen and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes (January 6-8, 2022)
- Stravinsky’s Petrushka with Salonen (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.sfsymphony.org/
8. Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony is one of the most dynamic and diverse orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1913, it has been led by some of the most talented conductors of the present day, such as Leopold Stokowski, André Previn, Christoph Eschenbach, Hans Graf, and Andrés Orozco-Estrada. The Houston Symphony has won four Grammy Awards and has a strong commitment to community engagement and education. It performs at the Jones Hall, a sleek and stylish venue that was opened in 1966. The Houston Symphony also hosts the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the summer, where it offers outdoor concerts and festivals.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the Houston Symphony include:
- Very Merry Pops with Steven Reineke and vocalist Megan Hilty (December 10-12, 2021)
- Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 with Orozco-Estrada and pianist Inon Barnatan (January 7-9, 2022)
- Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 with Orozco-Estrada (January 14-16, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://houstonsymphony.org/
9. Seattle Symphony
The Seattle Symphony is one of the most innovative and progressive orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1903, it has been led by some of the most visionary conductors of the current era, such as Gerard Schwarz, Ludovic Morlot, Thomas Dausgaard, and John Adams. The Seattle Symphony has won four Grammy Awards and has a strong commitment to new music and digital initiatives. It performs at the Benaroya Hall, a stunning and sophisticated venue that was opened in 1998. The Seattle Symphony also offers a wide range of artistic and educational programs for various audiences.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the Seattle Symphony include:
- Handel’s Messiah with Dausgaard and soloists (December 17-19, 2021)
- Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Dausgaard and pianist Jonathan Biss (January 6-8, 2022)
- Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 with Dausgaard (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/
10. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is one of the most vibrant and versatile orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1945, it has been led by some of the most distinguished conductors of the recent era, such as Robert Shaw, Yoel Levi, Robert Spano, and Donald Runnicles. The ASO has won 27 Grammy Awards and has a reputation for its choral and vocal excellence. It performs at the Woodruff Arts Center, a cultural hub that was opened in 1968. The ASO also operates the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in the summer, where it offers outdoor concerts and events.
Some of the upcoming concerts of the ASO include:
- A Very Merry Holiday Pops with Jerry Hou and vocalist Capathia Jenkins (December 16-18, 2021)
- Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 with Spano and pianist Jeremy Denk (January 6-8, 2022)
- Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances with Spano (January 13-15, 2022)
You can find more information and buy tickets on their website: https://www.atlantasymphony.org/
Conclusion
These are our picks for the top 10 symphony orchestras in the United States. Of course, there are many other great orchestras that deserve recognition and appreciation, such as the Minnesota Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and many more. We encourage you to explore and enjoy the rich and diverse musical offerings that these orchestras provide.
If you liked this article, please share it with your friends and family who love classical music. And if you have any questions or comments about our list or any of these orchestras, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about symphony orchestras in the United States:
Q: What is a symphony orchestra?
A: A symphony orchestra is a large ensemble of musicians who play various instruments from four main families: strings (such as violins, violas, cellos, and basses), woodwinds (such as flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons), brass (such as trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas), and percussion (such as timpani, snare drum, cymbals, and xylophone). A symphony orchestra usually has between 70 and 100 musicians, depending on the size of the venue and the repertoire. A symphony orchestra is led by a conductor, who uses a baton and gestures to direct the musicians and shape the musical expression.
Q: What is the difference between a symphony and a philharmonic orchestra?
A: There is no difference in terms of the size, composition, or quality of the orchestra. The terms symphony and philharmonic are interchangeable and are used to distinguish different orchestras in the same city or region. For example, in New York City, there are two major orchestras: the New York Philharmonic and the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra. The word philharmonic comes from the Greek words philos (loving) and harmonia (harmony), meaning “lovers of harmony”.
Q: What is the difference between a chamber orchestra and a symphony orchestra?
A: A chamber orchestra is a smaller ensemble of musicians who play mostly classical music from the 18th and 19th centuries. A chamber orchestra usually has between 15 and 40 musicians, depending on the repertoire. A chamber orchestra may or may not have a conductor, and sometimes the leader of the first violin section acts as the director. A chamber orchestra performs in smaller venues than a symphony orchestra, such as churches, halls, or salons.
Q: How can I find out more about symphony orchestras in the United States?
A: There are many ways to learn more about symphony orchestras in the United States. You can visit their websites, follow them on social media, watch their videos on YouTube, listen to their recordings on Spotify or other streaming platforms, read their newsletters or blogs, or subscribe to their podcasts. You can also attend their concerts live or online, join their membership or donor programs, volunteer for their events or activities, or sign up for their educational or outreach programs.
Q: How can I support symphony orchestras in the United States?
A: Symphony orchestras in the United States rely on various sources of income to sustain their artistic and organizational missions. These include ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships, merchandise sales, endowments, and investments. You can support symphony orchestras in the United States by buying tickets to their concerts, making donations to their funds or campaigns, becoming a sponsor or a patron, buying their merchandise or recordings, leaving a legacy gift or a bequest, or investing in their endowments. You can also support symphony orchestras by spreading the word about their work, giving feedback on their performances or services, or advocating for their causes.
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