Harry Gorodetzer
Encyclopedia
Harry Gorodetzer was a cellist for the Philadelphia Orchestra
for 50 seasons during a period in which the orchestra received world-wide acclaim for its "Philadelphia Sound". It was during this time that the Orchestra also produced some of its most well-known recordings.
Mr. Gorodetzer was the last musician hired for the orchestra by legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski
. In 1936, while still a student at the famed Curtis Institute of Music
, Mr. Gorodetzer auditioned for Leopold Stokowski
, who would soon turn over his post as orchestra director to Eugene Ormandy
. Ormandy was also present at the audition. Gorodetzer played again for Stokowski when Stokowski conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra's performance of the musical score of the 1940 Walt Disney movie Fantasia
.
During his long career, Mr. Gorodetzer performed with many great musicians and was one of the Orchestra's most social members during seminal visits around the world, including their historic 1973 tour of the People's Republic of China
, where they were the first Western symphony orchestra to visit in decades.
, he enrolled in the Curtis Institute of Music
. While he missed his first tour with the school orchestra because he was completing his studies, that was the only tour he missed until he retired from the Philadelphia Orcehstra in 1985.
His brother, Sam, was also a graduate of Curtis and a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, playing in their bass section. Mr. Gorodetzer is the grandfather of psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman
.
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
for 50 seasons during a period in which the orchestra received world-wide acclaim for its "Philadelphia Sound". It was during this time that the Orchestra also produced some of its most well-known recordings.
Mr. Gorodetzer was the last musician hired for the orchestra by legendary conductor Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
. In 1936, while still a student at the famed Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
, Mr. Gorodetzer auditioned for Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
, who would soon turn over his post as orchestra director to Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
. Ormandy was also present at the audition. Gorodetzer played again for Stokowski when Stokowski conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra's performance of the musical score of the 1940 Walt Disney movie Fantasia
Fantasia (film)
Fantasia is a 1940 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Walt Disney Productions. The third feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film consists of eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, seven of which are...
.
During his long career, Mr. Gorodetzer performed with many great musicians and was one of the Orchestra's most social members during seminal visits around the world, including their historic 1973 tour of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, where they were the first Western symphony orchestra to visit in decades.
Personal
Mr. Gorodetzer's grandfather was a town musician in Ukraine, and his father conducted the Walnut Street Theater Orchestra for many years. As a child, Mr. Gorodetzer began to take violin lessons, but since his fingers were too big, he switched to the cello at the age of 12. After graduating from South Philadelphia High SchoolSouth Philadelphia High School
South Philadelphia High School also known as Southern High is a public secondary high school located in the south section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of Broad Street and Snyder Avenue, just north of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex residential neighborhood, Marconi...
, he enrolled in the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
. While he missed his first tour with the school orchestra because he was completing his studies, that was the only tour he missed until he retired from the Philadelphia Orcehstra in 1985.
His brother, Sam, was also a graduate of Curtis and a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, playing in their bass section. Mr. Gorodetzer is the grandfather of psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman
Scott Barry Kaufman
Scott Barry Kaufman is an American psychologist and popular science writer specializing in the development of talent, intelligence, creativity, imagination, and personality...
.