Are the Big Five Still Considered the Absolute Top American Orchestras?

As of my last knowledge update in August 2023, the term 'Big Five' orchestras in the United States has maintained its prominence. These orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra, have each achieved a high level of recognition and reputation.

Budget and Prestigious Status

The term 'Big Five' was likely coined based on the orchestras' budgets, and not necessarily which were the 'best.' Budget does generally correlate with financial success, which in turn often aligns with being among the best and most established orchestras. In terms of financial standing, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has the largest budget, followed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (in some rankings, Chicago comes before New York).

Other prestigious orchestras, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, maintain significant status, albeit with varying degrees of financial support. The Los Angeles Philharmonic has made substantial gains, with its robust budget and subsequent influence on the musical scene.

Reputation and Rankings

Reputation and rankings can vary depending on the criteria and personal preferences. The widely cited Gramophone ranking provides a snapshot of the top orchestras in the United States:

Interestingly, the Philadelphia Orchestra, which I consider a favorite, is notably absent from this Top 20 list. This could reflect changes in leadership or the criteria used in the survey.

Evolution in Orchestras

By many measures, the term 'Big Five' is outdated. In terms of both size and quality, other orchestras have emerged as formidable competitors. New names like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony have made significant inroads and could potentially surpass some of the original Big Five in terms of reputation and stature.

For instance, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has seen a dramatic increase in budget and has established itself as a leading force in contemporary orchestral music. Similarly, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony could disrupt the original Big Five, suggesting a shift in the hierarchy of American orchestras.

The Bang for Buck

A notable aspect of American orchestras is the difference in budget versus quality. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, despite not appearing in the Top 20 in the Gramophone ranking, has attained high status and quality. However, when it comes to cost-effectiveness, the Minnesota Orchestra stands out. It has achieved high quality and stature on a budget that is only a quarter of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's, at 1/118 the cost with its budget of approximately $25 million compared to the Los Angeles Philharmonic's $118 million.

In conclusion, while the Big Five orchestras still maintain their place among the top U.S. orchestras, the landscape is evolving. Newer and more financially efficient orchestras are gaining recognition and could potentially redefine the top ten in the coming years. The term 'Big Five' is indeed outdated, and the field of American orchestras is seeing a dynamic and evolving landscape.