2021 Press Releases
The Cleveland Orchestra’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert sponsored by KeyBank returns on Sunday, January 16 led by Associate Conductor Vinay Parameswaran
The Cleveland Orchestra’s free, annual concert in celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. takes place in the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center on Sunday, January 16, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. led by Associate Conductor Vinay Parameswaran featuring soprano Jacqueline Echols. A highlight of this annual event is the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus, an all-volunteer community chorus directed by Dr. William Henry Caldwell. This concert is sponsored by KeyBank.
The Cleveland Orchestra announces six musician appointments during 2021-22 Severance season
Music Director Vinay Parameswaran leads ensemble in works by Joan Tower, Howard Swanson, Aaron Copland, and Antonin Dvořák in November. Longstanding partnership with Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus continues for concerts in 2022. Under 18s Free ticket program continues for all COYO concerts. Individual tickets on sale now.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra returns to concerts for 2021-22 Season
Music Director Vinay Parameswaran leads ensemble in works by Joan Tower, Howard Swanson, Aaron Copland, and Antonin Dvořák in November. Longstanding partnership with Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus continues for concerts in 2022. Under 18s Free ticket program continues for all COYO concerts. Individual tickets on sale now.
2022 Blossom Music Festival to include two film scores: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™
Next summer at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, experience The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets TM in Concert with The Cleveland Orchestra! Originally scheduled for 2020 and cancelled due to the pandemic, these 2022 Blossom Music Festival movie concerts will be presented in high definition on large screens, with the unforgettable scores performed live-to-picture by The Cleveland Orchestra.
Celebrated pianist Evgeny Kissin to perform solo recital at Severance on April 24, 2022
Today, The Cleveland Orchestra announced that acclaimed pianist Evgeny Kissin will perform a solo recital at Severance Music Center’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. This is Kissin’s first performance at Severance in nearly 25 years, and it will feature music by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart.
Free digital streaming premieres of The Cleveland Orchestra on adella.live and Adella digital streaming app in November, December, and January
Music of Mozart and Weinberg, Holiday Delights: A Visual Album, and Livestream of annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert. In Focus Season 2 broadcasts in early February 2022. Adella Premium Renewed for Current Subscribers and Donors.
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation Gives Historic $50 Million Grant to The Cleveland Orchestra
André Gremillet, President & CEO of The Cleveland Orchestra, today announced that the Orchestra will receive the largest gift in its 103-year history: a grant of $50 million from the Cleveland-based Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, which will greatly strengthen the finances of the institution while increasing its impact in its local and global community.
The Cleveland Orchestra’s Principal Keyboard Joela Jones to be honored with the Orchestra’s Distinguished Service Award
On Thursday, October 14, 2021, The Cleveland Orchestra’s principal keyboard, Joela Jones, will be presented with the Orchestra’s twenty-fifth Distinguished Service Award. Established in 1996 by the Orchestra’s Board of Trustees, the award recognizes ongoing and exceptional commitment and service to the Orchestra. Jones will receive the award during the Orchestra’s concert on October 14, which features her in a performance of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5.
The Cleveland Orchestra releases new recording of two 20th century orchestral gems led by Music Director Franz Welser-Möst
The Cleveland Orchestra’s newest audio recording, featuring Alfred Schnittke’s Concerto for Piano and Strings (1979) together with Prokofiev’s Second Symphony (1925) showcasing the pairing of an older and newer work led by Music Director, Franz Welser-Möst, will be available worldwide on Friday, November 5.
Severance Hall Covid-19 Health & Safety Updates for 2021-22 season
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative Covid-19 test required at Severance Hall concerts and events, face masks must be worn at all times, beginning September 15, 2021
Mindful Music Moments now free for all Northeast Ohio Schools
Four-minute modules featuring mindfulness prompts and classical music performed by The Cleveland Orchestra brings calm and focus to every school day. Presented by The Cleveland Orchestra and created by The Well
The Cleveland Orchestra’s Choruses announce audition dates
Auditions for Adult Choruses — Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Blossom Festival Chorus (for Holiday concerts) — in August. Youth Chorus auditions for high school students in August and September
Stewart Copeland’s Police Deranged for Orchestra coming to Blossom Music Center on September 11
Legendary rock star and prolific composer Copeland will perform greatest hits of The Police on drums with The Cleveland Orchestra and guests. Available now: Special pre-sale to Cleveland Orchestra subscribers and donors, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and WNCX members. All tickets to this special Blossom Music Festival event on sale Thursday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra returns to Miami in 2022 for 15th year of its residency and concerts at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
Music Director Franz Welser-Möst leads works by Dvořák, Mozart, Shchedrin, Tchaikovsky, and Walker over two weekends in January 2022. Soprano Latonia Moore makes Cleveland Orchestra debut in George Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning composition Lilacs. Subscription renewal packages to be mailed in Fall 2021, individual tickets on sale in early September.
The Cleveland Orchestra Announces 104th Season beginning in October 2021 at Severance Hall
This marks the 20th season of the Orchestra’s acclaimed partnership with Music Director Franz Welser-Möst. Unprecedented number of new works (in order of appearance) include commissions from Joan Tower, Hans Abrahamsen, Bernd Richard Deutsch, and Thomas Adès; and premieres of music by Joan Tower, George Walker, Gabriella Smith, Carlos Simon, Lili Boulanger, Unsuk Chin, and Sofia Gubaidulina.
The Cleveland Orchestra announces June programming and dates for final episodes of inaugural season of In Focus digital concert series
Season One concludes with two broadcast concerts available on-demand via Adella.live and the Adella digital streaming app. June 3: Celestial Serenades: features principal trumpet Michael Sachs and guest harpist Yolanda Kondonassis performing a new version of Aaron Jay Kernis’s Elegy . . . for those we lost, along with works for string orchestra by Kernis and Josef Suk.
Individual tickets now on sale for 2021 Blossom Music Festival, presented by the J.M. Smucker Co.
Additional repertoire and guest soloists announced, including three more debuts and the return of music icons to Blossom Music Center. Soloists include Michael Sachs, Garrick Ohlsson, Michelle Cann, Benjamin Grosvenor, Stefan Jackiw, Behzod Abduraimov, Sayaka Shoji, and Jonathan Biss.
The Cleveland Orchestra Announces 2021 Blossom Music Festival, Presented By The J.M. Smucker Co.
Beloved summer tradition returns for ten weeks of concerts and picnics at Blossom Music Center, the Orchestra’s summer home. Festival reunites the Orchestra and community through music, with a mix of audience favorites and rising star guest artists. Subscriptions on sale now, individual tickets available Monday, May 3. Under 18s Free, signature program of The Cleveland Orchestra, continues into its 10th season.
The Cleveland Orchestra announces Eric and Jane Nord $1 million dollar gift and Matching Challenge fundraising campaign
All new and increased donations will be matched, dollar for dollar. Funds raised support general operating of The Cleveland Orchestra. The Cleveland Orchestra’s supporters have wonderful memories, share yours here.
Franz Welser-Möst’s new book, From Silence: Finding Calm in a Dissonant World, to be published in the U.S. in May
Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Franz Welser-Möst’s 2020 book, From Silence: Finding Calm in a Dissonant World, will be published for the first time in the English language by Clearview Books this May. View a video where Welser-Möst speaks about From Silence.
The Cleveland Orchestra Announces Programming and Broadcast Premieres for April and May In Focus episodes on adella.live and Adella digital streaming app
Four new In Focus episodes are included with three featuring Music Director Franz Welser-Möst and one with Associate Conductor Vinay Parameswaran
The Cleveland Orchestra announces honorees of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards
In an extraordinary year, honorees include eleven Northeast Ohio organizations and partnerships. Award given to individuals and organizations for extraordinary service to the Northeast Ohio community in the spirit of Dr. King. Video link available
Due to Covid-19 health and safety concerns, the return of audiences to Severance Hall for concerts during March to June have been cancelled
A schedule of performances without audiences will continue during these months, to be filmed and presented free to subscribers as part of the Orchestra’s In Focus broadcast series on the Adella app and adella.live. March In Focus Episodes Programming and broadcast premieres announced. View a video message from André Gremillet, President & CEO of The Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra promotes Vinay Parameswaran to Associate Conductor, extending his contracts with the ensemble and as Music Director of Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra through 2021-22 season
Effective immediately, The Cleveland Orchestra has announced the promotion of Vinay Parameswaran to the position of Associate Conductor and the extension of his contracts. The agreement continues Mr. Parameswaran’s tenure with the Orchestra through the 2021-22 season.
Cleveland Orchestra Updates for February 2021: In Focus bonus episodes on adella.live and Adella digital streaming app
February 11: Sonata & Serenade featuring Mitsuko Uchida in recital and The Cleveland Orchestra performing Mozart. February 25: In Recital: Alisa Weilerstein Plays Bach
Announcing details of 41st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Events will take place virtually, with video and audio performances presented on the Adella streaming app and website, social media, radio, and TV