The ensemble gave the Montreal premieres of numerous works from the standard orchestral repertoire, including pieces by Beethoven, Berlioz, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, and Sibelius among others.
The MO was the brain child of clarinetist Giulio Romano who banded together the 70 member orchestra after the advent of sound films put many of Montreal's theatre musicians out of work.
As the orchestra grew in popularity, members were eventually paid $15 a concert, a considerable amount of money during the Great Depression.
[1] As principal conductor, Clarke led the orchestra in most of its performances and was the driving creative force behind the ensemble's choice of repertoire and programming.
With the onset of World War II and increasing health issues suffered by Clarke, the MO disbanded after the 1940-1941 season.