The Cleveland Orchestra has long been recognized as one of the finest ensemble in the world and boasts a long and stellar history or concerts, recordings, and collaborations over the past 90+ years. In 2018 the orchestra  celebrated 100 years of music making. It has been blessed by stable leadership over these many decades with a distinguished list of music directors who have shaped the ensemble into finely crafted music instrument. Nikolai Sokoloff was the founding conductor and lead the orchestra through its formidable years,  1918-33.  From 1933 to 1943 Artur Rodzinski took the helm followed by Erich Leinsdorf from 1943-46 and George Szell from 1946-70. Under Szell’s leadership the orchestra became renowned for its mastery of the repertoire. Lorin Maazel took the baton from Szell in 1972 and remained until 82, leading the orchestra into the dawn of the digital era. In 1984 Christoph von Dohnányi took over and remained until 2002 when the current music director and conductor, Franz Welser-Möst assumed the role. Under his leadership the Cleveland Orchestra has become one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world. In concerts at its winter home at Severance Hall and at each summer’s Blossom Festival, in residencies from Miami to Vienna to New York, and on tour around the world, The Cleveland Orchestra sets standards of artistic excellence, creative programming, and community engagement.