Westchester Philharmonic
Encyclopedia
The Westchester Philharmonic is a professional symphony orchestra
based in Westchester County, NY. The orchestra performs in the concert hall of the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.
The orchestra was founded in 1983 by a group of music lovers, led by flutist Paul Lustig Dunkel
, who served for 25 years as the orchestra's music director and conductor. The orchestra originally was known as the New Orchestra of Westchester. In the early 1990s, the name Westchester Philharmonic was adopted.
The orchestra has developed a reputation for presenting new compositions and upcoming artists. A piece commissioned by the Philharmonic from composer Melinda Wagner
, Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize
in 1999. The orchestra was also among the first to present violin
ist Midori Goto
in concert.
In 2006, Dunkel announced he would retire as music director and conductor after the Philharmonic's 25th anniversary season. In November, 2007, the orchestra announced the appointment of Itzhak Perlman
as artistic director and principal conductor. Perlman debuted as the orchestra's conductor on October 11, 2008 in an all-Beethoven program; the Emperor Concerto with pianist
Leon Fleisher
and Symphony No. 7
. He resigned during the 2010-11 season, and the orchestra has decided not to appoint a new music director and to use guest conductors only.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Westchester County, NY. The orchestra performs in the concert hall of the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College.
The orchestra was founded in 1983 by a group of music lovers, led by flutist Paul Lustig Dunkel
Paul Lustig Dunkel
Paul Lustig Dunkel is an American flutist and conductor. From 1983 to 2008, he served as music director of the Westchester Philharmonic.Dunkel was born and raised in New York City. His mother, Johanna Lustig, was a pianist from Vienna, Austria and his father Eugene Dunkel was a scenic designer...
, who served for 25 years as the orchestra's music director and conductor. The orchestra originally was known as the New Orchestra of Westchester. In the early 1990s, the name Westchester Philharmonic was adopted.
The orchestra has developed a reputation for presenting new compositions and upcoming artists. A piece commissioned by the Philharmonic from composer Melinda Wagner
Melinda Wagner
Melinda Wagner is a US composer, and winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize in music. Her undergraduate degree is from Hamilton College....
, Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion
Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion is a 1998 musical composition by Melinda Wagner, who was awarded the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Music for the work...
, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
in 1999. The orchestra was also among the first to present violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Midori Goto
Midori Goto
is a Japanese American violinist. She made her debut at the age of 11 in a last-minute change of programming during a concert highlighting young performers by the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. When she was 21, she formed the philanthropic group Midori and Friends to help bring music to...
in concert.
In 2006, Dunkel announced he would retire as music director and conductor after the Philharmonic's 25th anniversary season. In November, 2007, the orchestra announced the appointment of Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
as artistic director and principal conductor. Perlman debuted as the orchestra's conductor on October 11, 2008 in an all-Beethoven program; the Emperor Concerto with pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Leon Fleisher
Leon Fleisher
Leon Fleisher is an American pianist and conductor.-Early life and studies:Fleisher was born in San Francisco, where he started studying the piano at age four...
and Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 7 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, in 1811, was the seventh of his nine symphonies. He worked on it while staying in the Bohemian spa town of Teplice in the hope of improving his health. It was completed in 1812, and was dedicated to Count Moritz von Fries.At its debut,...
. He resigned during the 2010-11 season, and the orchestra has decided not to appoint a new music director and to use guest conductors only.