Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra
| Company type | Symphony orchestra |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, performing arts |
| Founded | 1941 |
| Defunct | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Columbus , United States |
Key people | Izler Solomon (music director) |
| Products | Symphony concerts, radio broadcasts, recordings |
The Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra was a symphony orchestra located in Columbus, Ohio. Established in 1941 and ceasing operations in 1949, it holds the distinction of being Columbus's inaugural professional symphony ensemble and served as a precursor to the present-day Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Throughout its entire tenure, the orchestra was under the musical leadership of American conductor Izler Solomon.
History
The orchestra came into existence in 1941 and held its performances at Franklin County Memorial Hall (currently known as the Franklin County Board of Elections building). Beginning as a semi-professional group, the leading positions were occupied by career musicians recruited from metropolitan areas such as Chicago and Cleveland, addressing the shortage of local talent during World War II. By 1946, it had evolved into Columbus's first fully professional symphony orchestra. Despite this progress, financial difficulties forced the ensemble to dissolve in 1949 after eight years of activity.
The Philharmonic gained wider recognition through national broadcasts of its concerts on NBC Radio, which bolstered its regional reputation. A series of live concert recordings produced by Robert Buchsbaum’s Coronet Records—Buchsbaum also served as the principal oboist—have preserved much of the orchestra’s work. Among these is a notable recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring soloist Artur Schnabel, which was reissued on CD by Pearl in 1995.
Following his tenure with the Philharmonic, music director Izler Solomon took up leadership of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, Solomon appointed bassist Carolyn Utz around 1944, marking her as the orchestra’s first African American member.
In 1951, George Hardesty, who had been concertmaster, established the Columbus Little Symphony. This ensemble eventually developed into what is now known as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.