Female musician initially declined offering for Oscar-winning film portraying her life in New York Philharmonic
In 1966, Orin O'Brien made history as the first woman to join the New York Philharmonic on a full-time basis. This groundbreaking moment was facilitated by Leonard Bernstein, who personally hired her for the position[1][2][5].
Bernstein, the music director of the New York Philharmonic at the time, played a significant role in Orin O'Brien's career. His influence extended beyond the orchestra, as he was also instrumental in her tenure with the New York City Ballet from 1956[3][4].
Orin O'Brien, a double bassist, had already spent a decade with the New York City Ballet before joining the New York Philharmonic. During her time with the ballet, she premiered Stravinsky's Agon in collaboration with the company[2]. Stravinsky himself was present during the premiere, providing valuable input to the orchestra[6].
Before her career in music, Orin O'Brien played piano for 10 years. She found solace in music, using it as a means to express and organise her emotions[7]. This emotional connection to music continued throughout her career, with Bernstein's unique ability to express feelings through music without harm resonating deeply with her[4].
Bernstein's influence was further evident when he gifted each member of the New York Philharmonic his first book, The Joy of Music. The inscription in the gift book resonated with Orin O'Brien, underscoring the profound impact Bernstein had on her life[4].
Orin O'Brien's pioneering journey in the male-dominated world of classical music has been documented in the Oscar-winning documentary The Only Girl in the Orchestra. Despite her initial preference for privacy, she agreed to participate in the film, sharing her unique experiences and contributions to the world of music[1][3].
Orin O'Brien remained a member of the New York Philharmonic until her retirement in 2021, having played all nine Mahler symphonies with Leonard Bernstein[1][2]. Her tenure with the orchestra spanned over five decades, marking her as a trailblazer in the world of classical music.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/28/arts/music/orin-obrien-nyphil-retirement.html [2] https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/orin-obrien-the-only-girl-in-the-orchestra/ [3] https://www.npr.org/2018/04/25/605087929/the-only-girl-in-the-orchestra-a-new-documentary-about-a-pioneering-double-bassi [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/28/arts/music/orin-obrien-nyphil-retirement.html [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/28/arts/music/orin-obrien-nyphil-retirement.html [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/28/arts/music/orin-obrien-nyphil-retirement.html [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/28/arts/music/orin-obrien-nyphil-retirement.html
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