88 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2019
E
ncores will resound throughout
the 2019-20 season of the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra (DSO) as
performers and community celebrate the
100th anniversary of Orchestra Hall.
The venue, known for its topnotch
acoustics and diverse talent, will showcase
programming from its 1919-20 season
and through the years as its history also
is recalled through TV and web produc-
tions, exhibitions and a book.
The foresight shown by Ossip
Gabrilowitsch, who insisted on a new hall
after becoming music director in 1918,
will be emphasized. One hundred years
ago, Gabrilowitsch, a conductor-pianist
with Russian-Jewish heritage, wanted a
state-of-the-art facility.
Architect C. Howard Crane developed
Orchestra Hall as part of an impressive
career that includes work on the Fox
Theatre, Detroit Opera House and the
remodeling of Temple Beth El into the
Bonstelle Theatre.
Orchestra Hall, enduring through times
when the DSO moved into other venues
for various reasons, will be remembered
as housing the Paradise Theatre, which
hosted jazz legends. This season calls
attention to the music of Duke Ellington
and Louis Armstrong, among many other
jazz luminaries.
In 2003, Orchestra Hall became part of
the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music
Center. Known as The Max, it was named
after the late philanthropists also support-
ive of causes in the Jewish community.
MARKING 100
As the orchestra enters its milestone
season, it enjoys performance updates
brought about with the leadership of
Leonard Slatkin, who transitioned into
music director laureate after a 10-year
tenure. Slatkin, also of Jewish heritage,
oversaw the development of the William
Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series
and web programming.
Arts&Life
music
Hallowed
Hall
DSO will honor
Orchestra Hall’
s 100th
anniversary with a
hallmark concert …
and more.
SUZANNE CHESSLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
TOP: Orchestra Hall, the 100-year-old
home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,
is known for its topnotch acoustics.
HART HOLLMAN