New York

New York City

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Email

email

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United States

The American Classical Orchestra recreates the sound world of the master composers.

The ACO is devoted to preserving and performing the repertoire of 17th, 18th and 19th century composers.  By playing the music on original instruments and using historic performance technique, we attempt to recreate the sounds an audience would have experienced when the music was written and first performed.  We pass along skills and appreciation for this practice to future generations through concert performances and educational programs.

Because period instruments were made of different materials, they produce a profoundly different sound from the 20th century instruments used in modern orchestras.  Historical instruments, with their softer and more transparent tone, produce a delicacy in the gentler phrases and a pungent bite in the stronger passages.  Using period instruments, the ACO can, in the 21st century, bring audiences closer to the musical genius of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and other master composers.

The American Classical Orchestra, under the direction of founder Thomas Crawford, is New York City’s leading period instrument orchestra. Comprised of the nation’s finest period instrumentalists, the ACO plays an annual series at Lincoln Center and produces the award-winning educational program Classical Music for Kids.

Founded in 1984 as the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy, the orchestra was renamed American Classical Orchestra in 2005, when Mr. Crawford established its permanent home in New York City. In the City, the Orchestra has won critical praise for its recordings, educational programs, and concerts, such as appearances on the Lincoln Center Great Performers Series and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

New York City, United States

American Classical Orchestra

Orchestra

Approved

2024

2023

2014

Organization contributor ID

include virtual contributors

2025

Pianist

Instrumentalist

Violinist

Cellist

Violist

Flautist

Clarinetist

Guitarist

Percussionist

Organist

hornist

Oboist

Bassoonist

Trumpeter

Contrabassist

Trombonist

Harp player

Saxophonist

Harpsichordist

Accordionist

Bassist

Tuba Player

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Mandoline Player

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Violino Piccolo Player

Viola da gamba

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Archlutenist

Continuo

Vibraphonist

Theorbist

Cornettist

Viola d’amore Player

Synthesist

Composer

Conductor

Stage director

Librettist

Set designer

Costume designer

Choreographer

Lighting designer

Dancer

Actor

Chorus master

Video designer

Dramaturge

Translator

Sound designer

Repetiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Hairstylist

Other

Stage Manager

Choir

Poet

Vocal coach

Teacher

Photographer

Broadcasting

Illustrator

Writer

Writing and performance

Chorus Director

Wig & Makeup Designer

Orchestra Operations

Extra

Countertenor

Singer

Bass

Tenor

Contralto

Bass-baritone

Mezzo-soprano

Soprano

Baritone

Spoken

Child vocalist

Silent

Alto

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Maestro Thomas Crawford speaks to the power of music, in particular Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony, to uplift and ennoble us. Join us Friday, May 17, 2019 at ...

American Classical Orchestra

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