The program is part of the acclaimed classical music series featuring top musicians from across the country performing major symphonic masterpieces and works from leading contemporary American composers. The series has been broadcast nationwide on public television since September 2013 and has won Emmy® awards in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. National broadcasts of Season Five began in July 2020, in partnership with WNET/Thirteen, American Public Television, and Oregon Public Broadcasting. The program "From Italy and Hungary with Love," was also awarded this year in the category: Audio Post-production, with Dmitriy Lipay and Sascha Lipay as Audio Engineers/Editors.
Music Director Gerard Schwarz said, “For all of us at the All-Star Orchestra receiving these awards is confirmation of the importance of making great music accessible to all, especially in these challenging times of the pandemic. Great music brings hope and inspiration. It builds a sense of community. We are so grateful to WNET/Thirteen and to all of the remarkable public television stations in our vast country for believing in classical music. “
Maestro Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra is comprised of top players from some of the country’s greatest orchestra’s including Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York (the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Oregon, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, St Louis, Utah, Washington D.C., and more. Director of the Frost Symphony Orchestra. The series features classical masterpieces as well as new works from leading contemporary American composers. The series aims to expose classical music to an even broader audience while keeping the listening experience informative and accessible. In addition to performances of classical and contemporary works, the programs also feature musical excerpts, images, interviews, and educational commentary by Maestro Schwarz, the All-Star Orchestra musicians, and special guests.