New York Philharmonic Founded: America's First Orchestra
Ureli Corelli Hill, an American violinist, founded the Philharmonic Society of New York on December 7, 1842, along with a group of musicians who wanted a cooperative orchestra run by its players. The inaugural concert at the Apollo Rooms featured Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The musicians governed themselves democratically: they elected conductors, voted on repertoire, and divided profits equally. This cooperative model was unique among orchestras and lasted until 1909, when the New York Philharmonic merged with the National Symphony Orchestra and adopted a traditional management structure. The orchestra has been led by conductors including Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, and Zubin Mehta. It is the oldest continuous symphony orchestra in the United States and performs roughly 120 concerts per season at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center.
December 7, 1842
184 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on December 7
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