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Cleveland Chamber Symphony

The Cleveland Chamber Symphony preparing to perform.

The Cleveland Chamber Symphony (CCS) is an American chamber orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio, with a focus on performing contemporary classical music. Since its inception, the CCS has premiered over 200 works. The ensemble is affiliated with the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.

Each year, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony holds the "Young and Emerging Composers Concert", featuring music created by student composers.[1]

History

The Cleveland Chamber Symphony was founded in 1980 by composer Edwin London. Under his direction, the ensemble expanded by performing, recording, and commissioning contemporary orchestral works, primarily by American composers.[2]

The CCS presented a concert series featuring eight programs, alongside multiple recording sessions under London's direction. Performances have taken place at Cleveland State University, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Trinity Cathedral, Public Hall, Karamu House, Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Old Stone Church, and John Carroll University.The ensemble also performed in communities adjacent to Cuyahoga County and throughout the Midwest.

Works of national and international composers have been commissioned and performed by the CCS, with these composers often being invited to serve as guest conductors and educators. A performance of Bernard Rands' Canti Trilogy at Harvard University followed a national tour.[3]

In 2007, the group won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance for its recording of Olivier Messiaen's Oiseaux exotiques, conducted by John McLaughlin Williams with pianist Angelin Chang.[4][5]

The current music director of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony is Steven Smith.

Originally formed at Cleveland State University, the CCS is now based at the Cleveland Music School Settlement.

Select recordings

Sound Encounters I (GM 2039)

  1. Libby Larsen: What the Monster Saw
  2. Salvatore Martirano: LON/dons - Howie Smith, saxophone
  3. Bernard Rands: London Serenade
  4. Roger Reynolds: The Dream of the Infinite Rooms - Regina Mushabac, cello

The New American Scene (Albany Records, Troy 298)

  1. Ronald Perera: Music for Flute and Orchestra - William Wittig, flute
  2. Howie Smith: Songs for the Children - Howie Smith, wind controller/alto saxophone
  3. Edwin London: Una Novella Della Sera Primavera - Harry Sargous, oboe
  4. John Eaton: Songs of Desperation & Comfort - Nelda Nelson, mezzo-soprano

Cleveland Chamber Symphony Vol 6↵ (TNC CD 1515)

  1. Danceanu: Chinonic, Op. 67
  2. Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds)- Angelin Chang- piano
  3. Ligeti: Chamber Concerto for 13 Instrumentalists
  4. Shostakovich: Concerto no. 1 for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 35- Angelin Chang, piano

See also

References

  1. ^ "Young & Emerging Composers – Cleveland Chamber Symphony". Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "About the Cleveland Chamber Symphony".
  3. ^ "History of Fromm Players at Harvard". Fromm Music Foundation. Harvard University. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  4. ^ "Cleveland Orchestra". clevelandorchestra.queue-it.net. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominee List". CBS News. December 7, 2006. Retrieved October 19, 2022.