After almost a century of searching for a permanent concert hall, the Seattle Symphony now performs in its new home, Benaroya Hall, a dedicated concert hall designed by LMN Architects of Seattle and world-renowned acoustical consultant, Dr Cyril Harris. The new facility—which opened triumphantly on September 12, 1998—was created specifically for concert music, and its stunning acoustics have received virtually unanimous praise from local, national and international media. A true public/private venture, more than half of the $118.1 million in construction costs were borne by the private sector.
The Seattle Symphony was established on December 29, 1903, when violinist/conductor Harry West assembled 24 musicians to perform in Christiansen Hall, site of the current Seattle Art Museum and directly across the street from Benaroya Hall. Music directors have included the noted American composer Henry Hadley (1909–11), John Spargur (1911–21), Basil Cameron (1932-38), Nikolai Sokoloff (1938–40)—the first music director of the Cleveland Orchestra, renowned British conductor Sir Thomas Beecham (1941–44) and Manuel Rosenthal (1949–51).
The progressive nature of Seattle and its Symphony came to the fore as early as 1921. Madame Davenport Engberg—the world’s first woman to conduct a symphony orchestra (in Bellingham, no less)—reorganized and expanded the ensemble to 90 mostly amateur players of both genders.
The most famous of all maestros in the following two decades was Sir Thomas Beecham, celebrated for his musical skills as well as for his ironic and at times naughty wit. Arriving in 1941 and staying but 2-1/2 seasons, his orchestra-building expertise and charismatic presence conferred upon the Seattle Symphony a significant boost in skill and reputation.
In 1954, Milton Katims, protégé of Arturo Toscanini and a memorable violist, began his 22-year tenure as Music Director. Katims expanded the Symphony’s education program through public school concerts, developed the “Little Symphony” to present chamber music, and by 1960 had introduced 75 works to the Seattle community. Under his guidance, the Symphony released a number of commercial LPs, gaining further national recognition.
Seattle Symphony musicians began their long association with Seattle Opera in 1973, serving as the orchestra for opera productions. From 1975–1984, Symphony musicians performed in the Opera’s internationally acclaimed annual presentations of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. Since then, the Symphony has continued its fruitful collaboration with Seattle Opera.
For more information, please go to the Orchestra’s website.
Photo courtesy of Yuen Lui Studio
