'The Only Girl in the Orchestra' Nominated for 2025 Oscar
A documentary about the first female full-time member of the New York Philharmonic has been nominated for an Academy Award for Documentary Short Film - The Only Girl in the Orchestra is one of 15 films in that category for the 97th annual Academy Awards, which were announced on Thursday.
The documentary tells the story of Orin O’Brien, the double bassist who became the only woman in the NY Phil when she was hired in 1966 by Leonard Bernstein, who said with admiration that O'Brien was "as impossible as any miracle." She won the position over 33 male bass players who auditioned alongside her.
A Times Magazine article at the time emphasized that O'Brien was "as curvy as the double bass that she plays" and that since the NY Phil had no locker room for ladies, she had to get dressed for concerts "in a washroom."
Directed by Molly O'Brien, a Emmy award-winning documentary producer and director who also happens to be Orin's niece, the film illustrates Orin's "unique philosophy that the key to enjoying life is to play second fiddle," showing not only her devotion to her art, but also to her family, students, friends, and colleagues.
The daughter of two actors, George O'Brien and Molly Churchill, Orin O'Brien played in the NY Phil for 55 seasons before retiring in 2021. A graduate of The Juilliard School, she performed in the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the American Symphony Orchestra before joining the NY Phil. O'Brien is now 87 years old.
"I chose the double bass because I like the idea of playing with other musicians," Orin O'Brien said. "You’re a support for what else is going on. You’re the floor under everybody that would collapse if it wasn’t secure."
"The Only Girl in the Orchestra" is available for streaming on Netflix. Click here to see a full list of Academy Award nominations for 2025.
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Replies
My teacher once introduced me to her at a rehearsal, and then tried to make me guess what instrument she played. She is not a large woman.
Featured briefly on one of the Young People’s concerts, where Lennie did a bit of covering The Kinks (I think).
As from ~ Elisabeth Matesky, the only violinist artist pupil of both Jascha Heifetz and Nathan Milstein, thrilled for this woman Double Bass Artist, Orin O'Brien, and title of the Academy Award nominated; "The Only Girl in The Orchestra" Movie based on her Life!!
Although this is my first acquaintance with the Film, I think this very inspiring and Bold of any Producer who was willing to take it on for at a time when Leonard Bernstein was 'On Fire' hiring those whom he felt would be pearled assets to the NY Philharmonic, engaged this and duly noted savvy smaller woman Double Bass Player, Alone with All other NY Philharmonic Members who were Male!! {One is/was familiar with this situation being an other 'only' woman violinist invited to audition for Co-Concertmaster of the GOAT US Symphony Orchestra upon my return to America after wondrous years living and lauanched concert violin solo career in London's Wigmore Hall by then & a UK established Concert Soloist with many major London and other UK Orchestras being the Only Female Solo Violin Concert Artist playing and being engaged at that time ... It, to be sure, was Like The Book: "The Road Less Travelled"!!!
It is truly encouraging to know a classical music musician and a Woman's Road Up has captured the imagination of The Academy Board being maybe the first or one of Only Movie Documentary's on a Classical Female Muscian earning her coveted Prime Position of Principle Double Bass with fabled New York Philharmonic & appointed by the Great Leonard Bernstein!!
I greatly look forward to viewing this special film saluting her for her grit in the beginning chapters of her tenure which had to be a bit tough for in those days the Male counterparts could be tough on any woman despite having virtuosity and musical cultured awareness yet almost invisible by those who were a bit 'miffed' about a woman and for sure, a Woman Principal Player in a Major Top V American Orchestra! I know this having been there and done that yet blocked by those & not Sir George Solti, but other's trying 'to protect' me from the political attitudes surrounding the Prime Post here in Big US Orchestras ...
Far too late on the Weekend to continue, I will return to possibly write of my own experience and the aftermath, but for now, I wish every blessing on the Film featuring a classical Double Bassist and Female, hoping it Wins an Academy Award which if reality, will go viral due its significance and posistive effect on all young women string players aiming for Major Orchestral Posts in the US!!!
I only request Editor, Violinist.com, Laurie Niles keep us updated!
With musical greetings from Chicago for a spirited 2025, I remain,
...... Yours musically ......
~ Elisabeth Matesky ~
Fwd ~ dmg {#3} 25th January, 2 0 2 5
P.S. For Stephen Symchych ~
... Elisabeth Matesky, here! I wondered if a Double bassist, with whom were you studying Bass Then and if at Juilliard was per chance Dr. David Walter?? My father, Ralph Matesky, invited Prof David Walter to bring all his Double Bass pupil's into National ASTA {when Nat'l President} which made an immense difference to increasing their National ASTA Membership and the two of them later worked on several musical projects! Poppa had Top of Class graduated from Juilliard w/Top Honours including The Calvin Coolidge Award and went on to Columbia for his Masters in Composition and Later he finished up his Masters @USC in So California with Professor Ernst Kanitz, a profound composer & becoming close friend of both my musician parents! Double Bassists have long been our Matesky Family friends for many decades! With best wishes to you from Chicago ~
........ Elisabeth Matesky ........
~ Fwd ~ dmg {#4} 26th January, 2 0 2 5
This was my violin teacher.
This is indeed a charming little documentary. And it is one of FIVE nominated in its category - not 15! By the way, the winning film in this same category last year was all about string instruments for youngest players. It would be rather amazing if the movie about one of the oldest string players wins this year…
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January 24, 2025 at 01:54 AM · This is a terrific film about an amazing musician. It is encouraging to see it nominated for an Oscar. I hope it wins. Everyone should see it.