It's tough to describe something as subjective as a musical performance with objective words, but a number of accolades come to mind when talking about the Cleveland Orchestra, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. An "ensemble of the absolute highest quality and professionalism" that knows to deliver "full-bodied precision," alternating with "silky nuance" when needed, is a good one-sentence description.
The Cleveland Orchestra has long been regarded as one of America's premier orchestras (alongside New York, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia), having been drilled in to top shape by legendary conductors George Szell, Pierre Boulez, Lorin Maazel, Christoph von Dohnanyi, and now Franz Welzer-Most. Its palatial home, Severance Hall, amplifies the orchestra's meaty sound impeccably. The orchestra also conducts year-round community outreach and plays during the summer at the Blossom Music Center.
While Cleveland has seen economic ups and downs over the years, it has commendably sustained one of the top orchestras in the world. So please do visit and support the orchestra if you're in Ohio, and even if not, check it out if it's touring a city near you.