ESTERHAZY PATRONS
The Philharmonic Society inaugurated the Esterhazy Patron program in 1994 in order to establish a base of support for programming that would allow the Society to bring the world’s finest music to Orange County benefiting all of Southern California. This group of dedicated patrons now numbering 45 families, has largely been responsible for appearances by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic; America’s finest orchestras including New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Los Angeles as well as recitals by some the great artists of our day – Yo-Yo Ma, Alfred Brendel, Cecilia Bartoli, Kiri Te Kanawa, Rolando Villazon and Murray Perahia. A number of projects such as Eclectic Orange, the Beethoven Festival and “You Are Hear” at the Orange County Museum of Art were inspired and supported by the Esterhazy Patrons.
Esterhazy Patrons takes its name from the noble Hungarian family of Esterhazy that rose to prominence in the 16th century in Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. The success of the family arose though the accumulation of land and loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and the Hapsburg monarchy. The Esterhazy family is best known for its long time support of composer Joseph Haydn providing him with the security and resources to not only compose but to establish and develop some of music’s most significant forms – the symphony, string quartet and sonata, paving the way for great composers such as Mozart and Beethoven as well as shaping the musical landscape for the future. The world wouldn’t be quite the same without Haydn and the Esterhazy support. The analogy of what the Esterhazys did for music initially in Europe and what the Esterhazy Patrons do for music in Southern California is quite clear and celebrated.
2009 is the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of Haydn. In keeping with the interest on Haydn during this period, The Philharmonic Society will present the “Legacy of Haydn” – two evening concerts and one morning youth program by the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg under the direction of Ivor Bolton. These wonderful musicians are returning to the Segerstrom Concert Hall after their triumphal opening of the hall in 2006. Their programs feature the music of Haydn as well as music of those composers who we might not have heard about with the influence of Haydn and the largesse of Esterhazy – Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. There will also be the United States premiere of a work by Austrian composer Kurt Schwertsik that allows talented young students to join the orchestra on stage.
We will honor the 45 families who are Esterhazy Patrons of the Philharmonic Society and will welcome new members to this prestigious group. Becoming an Esterhazy Patron is an excellent way to celebrate your own passion for music. Membership as an Esterhazy Patron requires a $60,000 commitment to the Philharmonic Society that must be completely paid in a period not to exceed three years. The benefits of Esterhazy Patron membership include lifetime recognition, an especially designed medallion, invitations to special receptions and dinners on many occasions with some of the Society’s major guest artists.
The best of our culture survives only if it is carefully supported for the future. Esterhazy Patrons are an important force in helping to pass on our musical heritage to future generations. To join Esterhazy Patrons, interested parties should please contact our Development Department at 949.553.2422 or email Halim@PhilharmonicSociety.org for an appointment.
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Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s Esterhazy Patrons
The Philharmonic Society inaugurated the Esterhazy Patron program in 1994 in order to establish a base of support for programming that would allow the Society to bring the world’s finest music to Orange County benefiting all of Southern California. This group of dedicated patrons now numbering 45 families, has largely been responsible for appearances by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic; America’s finest orchestras including New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Los Angeles as well as recitals by some the great artists of our day – Yo-Yo Ma, Alfred Brendel, Cecilia Bartoli, Kiri Te Kanawa, Rolando Villazon and Murray Perahia. A number of projects such as Eclectic Orange, the Beethoven Festival and “You Are Hear” at the Orange County Museum of Art were inspired and supported by the Esterhazy Patrons.
Esterhazy Patrons takes its name from the noble Hungarian family of Esterhazy that rose to prominence in the 16th century in Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. The success of the family arose though the accumulation of land and loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church and the Hapsburg monarchy. The Esterhazy family is best known for its long time support of composer Joseph Haydn providing him with the security and resources to not only compose but to establish and develop some of music’s most significant forms – the symphony, string quartet and sonata, paving the way for great composers such as Mozart and Beethoven as well as shaping the musical landscape for the future. The world wouldn’t be quite the same without Haydn and the Esterhazy support. The analogy of what the Esterhazys did for music initially in Europe and what the Esterhazy Patrons do for music in Southern California is quite clear and celebrated.
2009 is the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of Haydn. In keeping with the interest on Haydn during this period, The Philharmonic Society will present the “Legacy of Haydn” – two evening concerts and one morning youth program by the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg under the direction of Ivor Bolton. These wonderful musicians are returning to the Segerstrom Concert Hall after their triumphal opening of the hall in 2006. Their programs feature the music of Haydn as well as music of those composers who we might not have heard about with the influence of Haydn and the largesse of Esterhazy – Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. There will also be the United States premiere of a work by Austrian composer Kurt Schwertsik that allows talented young students to join the orchestra on stage.
We will honor the 45 families who are Esterhazy Patrons of the Philharmonic Society and will welcome new members to this prestigious group. Becoming an Esterhazy Patron is an excellent way to celebrate your own passion for music. Membership as an Esterhazy Patron requires a $60,000 commitment to the Philharmonic Society that must be completely paid in a period not to exceed three years. The benefits of Esterhazy Patron membership include lifetime recognition, an especially designed medallion, invitations to special receptions and dinners on many occasions with some of the Society’s major guest artists.
The best of our culture survives only if it is carefully supported for the future. Esterhazy Patrons are an important force in helping to pass on our musical heritage to future generations. To join Esterhazy Patrons, interested parties should please contact our Development Department at 949.553.2422 or email Halim@PhilharmonicSociety.org for an appointment.
Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s Esterhazy Patrons
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