The orchestra traces its origins to a concert given by a group of forty musicians in 1900 withconductorHans Kreissig. It continued to perform and grow in numbers and stature, so that in 1945 it was in a position to appointAntal Doráti as music director. Under Doráti, the orchestra became fully professional. Several times during the history of the orchestra it has suspended operations, including periods during the First and Second World Wars from 1914 to 1918 and from 1942 to 1945, and more recently in 1974 due to fiscal restraints. Subsequent music directors have includedGeorg Solti,Anshel Brusilow, andEduardo Mata.Andrew Litton was music director from 1994 to 2006. During Litton's tenure, the orchestra recorded the four Rachmaninoff piano concerti and theRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini withStephen Hough for Hyperion Records.
In 2007,Jaap van Zweden was named the DSO's 15th music director, and began his tenure in the 2008–2009 season with an initial contract of four years.[1] In October 2009, the orchestra announced the extension of van Zweden's contract through the 2015–2016 season.[2] In November 2013, the orchestra announced a further extension of van Zweden's contract through 2019.[3] In January 2016, the orchestra announced the rescheduled conclusion of van Zweden's tenure as music director after the 2017–2018 season, after which time he was scheduled to serve as the orchestra's conductor laureate from 2018 through 2021.[4]
In 2002,Fabio Luisi first guest-conducted the orchestra. His next Dallas guest-conducting appearance was in March 2018. On the basis of this guest-conducting engagement, in June 2018, the orchestra named Luisi its next music director, effective with the 2020–2021 season.[5] He held the title of music director-designate in the 2019–2020 season.[6] In January 2021, the orchestra announced the extension of Luisi's contract as music director through 2029.[7]
In October 2018, the orchestra announced the appointment ofGemma New as its next principal guest conductor, the first female conductor to hold the title, effective with the 2019–2020 season.[8] In December 2021, the orchestra extended New's contract as principal guest conductor through the 2022–2023 season.[9] In May 2023, the orchestra announced the appointment ofEnrico Lopez-Yañez as Principal Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Presents[10] and Anthony Blake Clark as the new Chorus Director.[11]
Past presidents and chief executive officers of the orchestra have included Kim Noltemy.[12][13] In June 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Michelle Miller Burns as its next president and chief executive officer, effective 23 September 2024.[14]
School of Music Program Book 1969-1970. North Texas State University. School of Music. School of Music Program Book 1969–1970. Denton, Texas. UNT Digital Library]
