Brooklyn Philharmonic
| Company type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Classical music, Performing arts |
| Founded | 1954 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York City , United States |
Key people | Alan Pierson (Artistic and Music Director, 2010–2013) |
| Products | Orchestral concerts, Educational programs |
Number of employees | Freelance musicians (number not specified) |
Several entities have carried the name Brooklyn Philharmonic. The latest incarnation, known as the Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, was an American orchestra based in Brooklyn, New York City, active from the 1950s until its closure in 2012. At its height, it was hailed as "innovative" and recognized as "one of the most pioneering and esteemed symphony orchestras of contemporary times."
Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn
Established in 1857, the Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn was initially led by conductor Theodore Eisfeld until 1861. Its early concerts took place at the Athenaeum in Brooklyn Heights, then the borough’s largest venue, before relocating to the newly inaugurated Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in 1861, where it remained until 1891. The Society played an instrumental role in founding BAM. A notable event includes Johann Strauss II guest conducting in 1861, during which he famously participated in The Blue Danube.
Following Eisfeld’s tenure, Theodore Thomas assumed leadership until 1891, a period regarded as distinguished. After Thomas’s departure, the Philharmonic Society ceased operating its own orchestra and instead facilitated Boston Symphony performances at BAM starting that year—initially independently and from 1895 in partnership with the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. When BAM was destroyed by fire in 1903, Boston Symphony concerts were temporarily held at the Baptist Hall of the Pilgrim Church until BAM’s reopening in 1908. By 1938, the Philharmonic Society had nearly faded from existence, while the Brooklyn Institute continued presenting Boston Symphony concerts through the 1972–73 season. Meanwhile, the Society sponsored small-scale chamber music events at BAM and other venues up until the early 1980s.
Brooklyn Philharmonia
Between 1941 and 1943, a Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra emerged as a branch of the Brooklyn Civic Orchestra but disbanded after 1943.
Brooklyn Philharmonic
In 1954, Julius Bloom, director of BAM, established a new ensemble called the "Brooklyn Philharmonia," under conductors JM and Siegfried Landau. This group concentrated on performing contemporary works and seldom-heard classical repertoire. During the late 1970s, it was one of seven subcontractors involved with the Cultural Council Foundation Artists Project, funded by federal CETA programs.
The orchestra adopted the name "Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra" in 1982 under composer Lukas Foss’s leadership after securing permission from the declining Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn. Although it claimed to be among the oldest orchestras in the Americas, it had no direct organizational connection to its namesake predecessor.
Dennis Russell Davies succeeded Foss and broadened programming to include festival-themed weekends. Robert Spano enhanced both the orchestra's sound quality and distinctive repertoire choices, while Michael Christie introduced thematic programming when he began his tenure in 2006. The orchestra also participated in prominent summer series such as the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts held in Central Park during 2007 and 2008.
Christie’s contract was extended through the 2009–2010 season with an automatic renewal clause but concluded in June 2010. Critics observed a decline in performance standards during his leadership. Confronting financial shortfalls, dwindling subscription numbers, and leadership changes within its board, the organization ultimately canceled its entire 2010–11 season.
Seeking revitalization in 2010, the Brooklyn Philharmonic appointed conductor Alan Pierson—founder of Alarm Will Sound and an alumnus of MIT and Eastman School of Music—as Artistic and Music Director. His vision emphasized celebrating Brooklyn's diverse cultural landscape.
Pierson’s programming for the 2011–12 season consisted of three community-centered series highlighting Downtown Brooklyn’s history, Brighton Beach’s Russian cultural influence, and Bed-Stuy’s contributions to rap and DJ culture. This fresh approach garnered critical acclaim; Alex Ross described it as "exceptionally innovative," while The New York Times underscored its potential significance. The performances attracted enthusiastic audiences and culminated with two sold-out concerts at BAM during the 2012–13 season.
Despite artistic success under Pierson’s guidance, securing adequate donor support and institutional funding proved challenging for maintaining operations. Some musicians attributed these financial issues to moving away from traditional symphonic formats. As a result, performances were once again suspended toward the end of 2013.
The orchestra maintained its administrative headquarters in Dumbo, located in downtown Brooklyn.
Music Directors
- Lukas Foss (1971–1990)
- Dennis Russell Davies (1991–1996)
- Robert Spano (1996–2004)
- Michael Christie (2005–2010)
- Alan Pierson (artistic director, 2010–2013)
Legacy
Similar to ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic operated as a "freelance" orchestra, compensating musicians on a per-concert basis rather than employing them full-time. It earned a distinguished reputation for advocating contemporary compositions and embracing innovative programming.
Throughout its history, the Philharmonic commissioned 65 new pieces from living composers and presented 166 world premieres. Distinguished guest artists included Yehudi Menuhin, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Itzhak Perlman, Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Jessye Norman, Alicia de Larrocha, James Galway, Laurie Anderson, Elvis Costello, and Erykah Badu.
The orchestra was honored with 21 ASCAP awards recognizing its creative programming efforts and consistently received coverage from prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, Brooklyn Eagle, alongside broadcasts on stations like WQXR and WNYC. Under the leadership of Executive Director Gregg Gustafson, it made multiple appearances on Late Night with David Letterman. Recordings by the Brooklyn Philharmonic remain accessible across digital platforms including iTunes.
The Philharmonic was deeply invested in extensive educational initiatives aimed at economically disadvantaged youth in New York City. Its "Smart Arts Academy" offered free daily arts education and enrichment programs to roughly 250 students per school year, impacting close to 6,000 children from under-resourced public schools. These efforts were supported entirely through the orchestra’s own funding.
Concert Halls
The Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn played a key role in establishing BAM. Founded in 1954 under BAM’s auspices as the Brooklyn Philharmonia, the orchestra maintained a close association with BAM until formally separating in 1971. Over time, it effectively functioned as a division within BAM.
From 1990 until 2005, the Brooklyn Philharmonic served as BAM’s resident orchestra, primarily performing at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House (2,109 seats) and Harvey Lichtenstein Theater (874 seats). This partnership influenced the orchestra’s artistic character but also introduced operational complexities. The Philharmonic’s board president acknowledged that public perceptions regarding its autonomy from BAM varied over time. BAM director Harvey Lichtenstein stressed the importance of securing artistic, financial, and administrative independence.
Following the conclusion of this residency in 2005, performances at BAM diminished to occasional community chamber music events. With leadership changes in 2011, the Philharmonic sought to broaden its presence across multiple borough venues such as the Brooklyn Public Library’s Stevan Dweck Center (189 seats) and the Brooklyn Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium (460 seats). By 2010, financial constraints had compelled the Philharmonic to vacate BAM entirely. The strategic direction adopted in 2011 focused on engaging audiences in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brighton Beach, and Downtown Brooklyn.
Since 1974, summer concerts have been held in Prospect Park annually. The orchestra also regularly took part in major New York cultural festivals including Celebrate Brooklyn and events hosted at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Its debut at Lincoln Center occurred in 1964 shortly after Philharmonic Hall opened; Carnegie Hall premieres followed in 1973 with the last performance there taking place in 2011.