New York

New York City

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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

Accordionist

Instrumentalist

Archlutenist

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Bassist

Bassoonist

Cellist

Clarinetist

Contrabassist

Cornettist

Flutist

Guitarist

Harper

Harpsichordist

Hornist

Lutenist

Mandoline Player

Musette de cour Player

Oboist

Organist

Percussionist

Pianist

Recorder Player

Saxophonist

Tenor Violinist

Theorbist

Timpani

Trombonist

Trumpeter

Tuba Player

Vibraphonist

Viola Pomposa Player

Viola da gamba

Viola d’amore Player

Violinist

Violino Piccolo Player

Violist

Actor

Broadcasting

Choir

Choreographer

Chorus Director

Chorus master

Composer

Conductor

Costume designer

Dancer

Dramaturge

Executive producer

Extra

Hairstylist

Illustrator

Librettist

Lighting designer

Makeup artist

Orchestra Operations

Other

Photographer

Poet

Repetiteur

Set designer

Sound designer

Stage Manager

Stage director

Teacher

Translator

Video designer

Vocal coach

Wig & Makeup Designer

Writer

Writing and performance

Contralto

Singer

Soprano

Bass

Bass-baritone

Mezzo-soprano

Countertenor

Tenor

Baritone

Alto

Child vocalist

Continuo

Silent

Spoken

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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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