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History
The Albany Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 by
Professor John F. Carabella. Mr. Carabella was born in Rome in
1885, and was a favorite pupil of Pietro Mascagni, composer of Cavalleria Rusticana. He came
to America in 1915 to become organist and choirmaster at St. Bernard's
Church in Cohoes.
What
could have possessed Mr. Carabella, 77 years ago, early in the
Great Depression, to found the "People's Orchestra of Albany" with
24 brave musical souls? What a seemingly inauspicious time to found
an orchestra. And yet, what better source of comfort and hope during
bleak times than the life-affirming music he and his orchestra
played?
The Orchestra has evolved artistically
under the innovative leadership of music directors Carabella, Rudolf
Thomas, Ole Windingstad, Edgar Curtis, Julius Hegyi, Geoffrey Simon,
and David Alan Miller. David Alan Miller, former Associate Conductor
of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was appointed Music Director and
Conductor in June 1992. Since affiliating with the Albany Symphony,
he has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost
conductors whose vision and artistry have propelled the Albany
Symphony into a new era.
The Albany Symphony Orchestra is one of this region’s
oldest and most revered music and cultural organizations, having
won numerous national awards for its adventurous programming of
contemporary music and innovative educational efforts involving
area schools for 77 years. We are the oldest and only professional
symphony orchestra based in the Capital Region, serving more than
150,000 persons within a 75-mile radius covering more than seven
counties and parts of three states.
The Albany Symphony Orchestra
fulfills its mission by performing, commissioning, and recording
the work of established and emerging American composers while respecting
and bringing new vision to time-honored classical music. This marriage
of new and old attracts a variety of music lovers, from seasoned
devotees to curious listeners discovering symphonic music for the
first time.
The ASO continues to lead all other orchestras in the
promotion, performance and recording of adventurous American repertoire
for an audience of committed and open-minded listeners. |
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Music Directors
Past and Present
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John Carabella 1930-1938
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Rudolph Thomas 1939-1944
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Ole Windingstad 1945-1947
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Edgar Curtis 1948-1964
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Julius Hegyi 1965-1988
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Geoffrey Simon 1987-1991
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George Lloyd 1990-1991
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| David Alan Miller 1992-Present |
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