If you were alive in Philly during the turn of the 20th century and you were looking for fresh new music on the scene, the Philadelphia Orchestra would be the hot ticket in town. Founded in 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra has been a part of Philly for over a century. They’ve been recognized as one of the “Big Five” orchestras in the country, drawing praise from musicians around the globe.
This week’s PSotW is The Philadelphia Orchestra playing Beethoven’s 5th and 6th symphonies. In March of 2020, when the pandemic was causing pandemonium, a collection of 97 virtuosos came together to deliver a performance to an empty hall while being streamed to homes throughout Philadelphia and the world. Classical music might not be as popular or as catchy as other modern artists, however in a city where music and culture are so fondly celebrated, it would be a shame to miss out on the brilliance that is delivered here.
Pre-Covid, they could be found mainly at the Kimmel Center on Broad Street, as well as several other larger venues around the city. As of late, the group delivers online concerts where you can book an e-ticket, and have access to the live performance while it streams, as well as on demand access for a week. Typically, they stick to your standard classical classics: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, etc. However once in a while they’ll have a special show where they’ll play the score to famous movies, like when they played the score to The Lord of the Rings back in 2017.
Once the Philadelphia Orchestra is back on stage for in-person attendance, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. For more information, or if you’d like to donate, checkout their website.
Each week, the Philly Plain Dealer highlights an artist in the Philly music scene. If you have a favorite song by a Philadelphia artist, submit it by tweeting to @PlainPhilly.
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