| It's the year 2010 and we can now access an | | | | Symphony is currently under the direction of |
| astounding variety of music performance through | | | | Peter Oundjian. It has been in operation for over |
| the internet. Audio and video streams abound in | | | | 80 years and it is housed in the brilliant Roy |
| classical music. The internet offers opportunities to | | | | Thompson Hall. To find the nearest symphony to |
| experience performance on demand, in stereo, | | | | where you live simply type in the city and |
| from some of the most prestigious venues | | | | orchestra into Google. Chances are they have a |
| anywhere. These performances feature | | | | website. |
| conductors, performers and arrangements by | | | | The musicians of the great orchestras are among |
| artists not long ago appreciated by only those | | | | the most talented anywhere. Tim Hugh is the |
| able to afford to go to a live performance. | | | | principal cellist of the London Symphony. Paul |
| So we're going to take a look at what's out there. | | | | Silverthorne is the principal Violist. They have both |
| We're going to navigate some of the on-line | | | | taken part in many LSO recordings and. as with |
| content and point you to some of the orchestras, | | | | many others, they play independently in addition |
| their musicians, and of course, their best | | | | to their work with the symphony. Their bios are |
| performances, recordings and concerts. | | | | available on the LSO website. Guy Braunstein, a |
| Our searches are going to assume we are | | | | student of Pinchas Zukerman, is the first violinist |
| seeking an introduction to the genre. We'd like to | | | | of the Berlin Philharmonic. Andreus Blau has been |
| know what a few of the best symphony | | | | the principal flute player with the symphony since |
| orchestras are. Is there an orchestra in your | | | | 1969 and has played under such great conductors |
| area? Perhaps you can get involved as a | | | | as Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, Yehudi |
| volunteer or become acquainted through their | | | | Menuhin and David Oistrakh. He has had many |
| website. Is there a site or two which might have | | | | students of whom many have gone on to play |
| a background on the orchestra, its performances, | | | | with other orchestras. |
| performers? Do they have any mp3's or | | | | Associated with most of the great symphony |
| streaming audio available on-line? Are there | | | | orchestras are tremendous concert halls. Many of |
| streaming videos available? Are there radio | | | | these halls can be experienced through virtual |
| stations broadcasting performances in the | | | | tours on-line and indirectly by catching a |
| category you're interested in? The answer to | | | | symphony concert on Youtube. The Berlin |
| most of these questions is yes. So let's get | | | | Philharmonie is an example. The building went up in |
| started and see what we find. | | | | the early 1960's and has become an example of |
| The first thing we'll do is a keyword search in | | | | acoustic and architectural design for other halls |
| Google for top symphony orchestras. In case | | | | around the world. As I mentioned earlier, the |
| you've wondered, a philharmonic orchestra is the | | | | Toronto Symphony is housed in Roy Thompson |
| same as a symphony. The term philharmonic | | | | Hall, designed by architect Arthur Ericsson. This |
| includes all of the people and activities involved in | | | | glass building underwent extensive renovations in |
| supporting the orchestra. According to a recent | | | | 2002 to enhance its acoustics by adding an inner |
| survey by music critics, The Berlin, Royal | | | | level of wooden cladding. By all reports the |
| Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. Vienna and | | | | reconstruction was very successful. |
| London Symphonies are amongst the elite in the | | | | The internet is teeming with opportunities for you |
| world. Next, let's enter each symphony into | | | | to listen to streaming audio, full stereo classical |
| Google and see what we come up with in terms | | | | music through radio stations. You will find a link to |
| of history and background on these famous | | | | a site with over 150 such stations at my link, |
| orchestras. For more information and links to | | | | Symphonia1 at the bottom of the page. In |
| these orchestras, check out my site link at the | | | | addition to radio stations, mp3's can be found for |
| bottom of the page. | | | | download, both for a fee and at no charge. Again, |
| The Swedign Royal Concertgebouw of | | | | see my site for details. |
| Amsterdam (Royal Symphony) has several sites | | | | In the streaming video category, scores of high |
| pertaining to its makeup, history and heritage. The | | | | resolution, full stereo performances are now |
| orchestra was started in 1888 and has become | | | | available online. Performances are found in some |
| famous as a leading orchestra. It has established | | | | of the great concert halls and so you can go for |
| relationships with several of the world's best | | | | a virtual visit any time you like. My approach to |
| composers including Mahler, Stravinsky, | | | | searching for performances has been to simply |
| Schoenberg and Rachmoninov. The Berlin | | | | enter the name of a piece, composer or |
| Symphony has a very thorough website. On it | | | | orchestra. You will find a variety of great |
| you will find bios on all 128 musicians, insights in to | | | | performances are available for any of the |
| the workings of its many smaller chamber groups | | | | symphonies I have mentioned and dozens more |
| and ensembles and how the orchestra participants | | | | for orchestras from around the world. Links to |
| mentor young musicians along the way. You will | | | | several performances are available by visiting my |
| also find an on-line magazine featuring podcasts | | | | link at the bottom of the page. |
| and interesting articles. The Vienna Symphony is | | | | Finally, we would be amiss to leave out music |
| closely associated with the history of Western | | | | education. Let's not forget that music is for |
| music. Vienna is the home of Mozart and | | | | everyone at any age. There are teachers in your |
| Beethoven. The orchestra was founded over 160 | | | | area who would love to sign you up to learn to |
| years ago. Their website carries information on all | | | | play an instrument. The internet provides so |
| aspects of the symphony. Like all great | | | | many resources and so much support for learning |
| orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra | | | | to play. You can listen or watch pieces played and |
| features some of the most talented musicians | | | | use them as resources for you practicing. You |
| playing today. Shortly, we will discuss a few of | | | | can join chat groups with players interested in |
| the musicians you'll find bios of, available at each | | | | your instrument. You can download sheet music |
| of the sites. The London Symphony is over 100 | | | | and a variety of educational materials. |
| years old. It is owned by its musicians and it was | | | | The world of classical music performance has |
| one of the first orchestras to make gramophone | | | | never been so accessible. If you're new to the |
| recordings. | | | | genre, here's a place to get acquainted. If not, I |
| I live in Peterborough, North of Toronto. We have | | | | hope I have pointed you in the direction of some |
| a very accomplished orchestra here in | | | | new resources. In any case, the musicians, |
| Peterborough for a city of it's size, under the | | | | recordings, and performances of classical music |
| direction of Michael Newnham. The Toronto | | | | are out there for you to explore. |