The Cultural Center for the Arts is constructed
In 1970, the Cultural Center for the Arts was formed and soon housed the CSO’s administrative staff. The new building is unique in its architecture and in its purpose. It is an award-winning designed complex set on more than nine acres near the downtown business and arts districts of Canton, Ohio.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” begins its 30+ year run
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” was the first opera ever created for television in the United States. It was written by Gian Carlo Menotti and commissioned by the NBC Opera Theatre.
The opera is about a crippled boy named Amahl who is known for his tall tales. He lives in Bethlehem with his mother where they encounter the three wisemen who are on their journey to visit baby Jesus. However, the story takes off after Amahl’s mother steals some of their gold.
Rudolf Firkusny opens CSO’s 36th season
Rudolf Firkusny performed Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor to Open the CSO’s 36th season and to celebrate his 35th anniversary of his United States debut which also included 25 tours in Europe, 10 in South America, 12 in Mexico, 2 in Australia, and 3 in Israel.
Firkusny was born and raised in Moravia. Moravia is the easternmost province of the modern day Czech Republic and home of the medieval kingdom known as Great Moravia which was later incorporated into the kingdom of Bohemia. At only 6 years old, Firkusny studied at the State Conservatory in Brno, and at just 10, he made his debut with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Robert Marcellus is named Music Advisor while a search is conducted to find a permanent replacement for Michael Charry
Dr. Arthur Campbell on Robert Marcellus:
“Robert Marcellus is considered by virtually all clarinetists in North America to be the most influential clarinet teacher of the last half of the 20th century. He was a beautifully refined clarinetist and his recordings as principal clarinetist in The Cleveland Orchestra under Georg Szell are still recognized as the ‘measuring stick’ for orchestral clarinetists today.”
The CSO achieves “metropolitan” designation
During our 37th season, the CSO earned national recognition as a “metropolitan orchestra” and no longer holds the old title of a community orchestra. Much of the credit goes to the former conductor Michael Charry as he increased the CSO’s performances from 7 a year to 21, of which 14 were children’s concerts. In addition, over 20,000 fourth and fifth grade students were involved in the orchestra’s free programs. Charry also increased the annual budget from $19,000 to $135,000.
Morton Gold conducts the CSO
Thomas Michalak is named Music Director
The CSO celebrates a new era with the new Music Director, Tomas Michalak. Michalak was born in Krakow, Poland where he began playing the piano and violin. At age 16, he became a featured soloist at the Warsaw Philharmonic and was awarded a silver medal at the Moscow International Music Competition just one year later. Before joining us at the CSO, Michalak toured as a conductor with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, was a violinist in South America with the Philidelphia Orchestra, was named the Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and held conducting posts with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the Westmoreland Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony.
Kinder Concerts begin for early elementary audiences
In November of 1977, the CSO’s educational programming expanded to include the new Kinder Concerts. These concerts are open to children ages three to six and introduce them to an interactive orchestra experience. With this new program, children are exposed to co-curricular connections to Ohio Music Education Standards and receive instrument demonstrations.
