The official orchestra of PianoArts is the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Wisconsin’s

largest cultural organization, the MSO celebrates its 53rd season in the 2011-2012 season.

Since its inception in 1959, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has consistently received critical acclaim for artistic excellence. Today, the MSO continues to reach new heights under the baton of the organization’s sixth music director, Edo de Waart. The MSO has performed on tour in Europe, Japan, and Cuba, as well as Carnegie Hall and other venues around the U.S.

The MSO is heard regularly on syndicated radio broadcasts throughout the country and has the longest running archive of recordings for any orchestra in the U.S. Recent recordings are on the AVIE and KOSS labels, and include Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, the first modern English recording of the fairy-tale opera, recorded live at Uihlein Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is the first American orchestra to distribute, through digital music stores, recordings previously unavailable for purchase. Performances on

“MSO Classics,” an e-label owned by the Orchestra, are available at digital music stores

and services, including iTunes Music Store – the world’s most popular digital music store.

Each of the MSO’s resident musicians is a gifted virtuoso. In addition to performing with the Orchestra, these musicians provide a strong professional core within Milwaukee’s thriving

arts community. Orchestra players make frequent appearance with other local ensembles, perform as soloists internationally, and serve as teachers and mentors to music students

and area youth. Today, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is recognized not only as a major orchestra, but as a national leader in arts education.