Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra is an American pops orchestra founded in 1977 as an official subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Under the leadership of founding conductor Erich Kunzel, it became one of the world's best-selling and most recorded pops ensembles, renowned for bridging classical music with popular and film music. The orchestra performs a wide repertoire at its home in Music Hall and has achieved international acclaim through extensive touring, television broadcasts, and a prolific discography primarily with the Telarc label.

History

The orchestra was formally established in 1977 by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra board to present a distinct series of popular and light classical concerts, building upon successful "8 O'Clock Pops" concerts initiated in 1965. Its creation was championed by Erich Kunzel, who had been conducting popular programs for the CSO since the mid-1960s and was appointed its first principal conductor. The ensemble quickly gained a national profile through a groundbreaking contract with Telarc in 1978, leading to a series of technologically advanced digital recordings. A significant milestone was its 1991 performance at Carnegie Hall for the 100th anniversary of that venue, cementing its status among America's premier pops institutions. Following Kunzel's death in 2009, the organization continued under the baton of John Morris Russell, who expanded its community engagement and contemporary repertoire.

Music directors and conductors

The founding and defining music director was Erich Kunzel, who led the orchestra from its inception until his death in 2009, earning the nickname "The Prince of Pops" and a National Medal of Arts. Under his direction, the ensemble developed its signature sound and recorded over 85 albums. Following an interim period with guest conductors like Jack Everly and Steven Reineke, John Morris Russell was appointed music director in 2011. Russell, previously the conductor of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, has emphasized innovative programming, collaborations with artists like Ben Folds and My Morning Jacket, and fostering new audiences. Renowned guest conductors have included Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops Orchestra and film composer John Williams.

Recordings and media

The orchestra's extensive recording legacy began with its 1978 Telarc debut, *Star Tracks*, noted for its pioneering digital audio and sound effects. It became Telarc's best-selling artist, with notable albums including *Round-Up*, featuring Western music, and collections of music from *The Sound of Music* and *The Lord of the Rings*. Several recordings, such as *Copland: Lincoln Portrait* narrated by Katherine Hepburn, won Grammy Awards. The ensemble has been featured in national television broadcasts on PBS, including *A Cathedral Christmas* from the Cathedral Basilica in Covington, Kentucky, and the *Fourth of July* specials *Let Freedom Ring!*.

Tours and notable performances

The orchestra has undertaken numerous domestic and international tours, including performances at the Wolf Trap and Ravinia festivals. A landmark 1999 tour of Japan and China included concerts at Suntory Hall in Tokyo and the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Notable annual events include the Riverbend Music Center summer series and free Fourth of July concerts in Cincinnati. The ensemble has performed with a diverse array of guest artists, ranging from Doc Severinsen and Marilyn Horne to The Chieftains, Arturo Sandoval, and Idina Menzel. It also provides the live accompaniment for the Cincinnati Ballet's annual production of *The Nutcracker*.

Affiliations and home venue

The orchestra is an integral part of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra organization, sharing its administrative staff, board of directors, and the majority of its musicians. Its primary performance home is the historic Music Hall in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, a National Historic Landmark renowned for its acoustics. During the summer, the orchestra performs at the Riverbend Music Center on the banks of the Ohio River. The organization maintains strong educational ties through the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship program with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and community initiatives like the Young People’s Concerts. Category:American orchestras Category:Pops orchestras Category:Musical groups from Cincinnati Category:1977 establishments in Ohio