Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Mar 7-10. David Afkham makes his highly anticipated return to conduct the CSO in Beethoven's noble Emperor Concerto and Dvorak's dramatic Seventh Symphony. "Afkham rocked Orchestra Hall with an exciting debut. The audience was up on its feet in an instant, roaring for more" (Chicago Tribune).

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Feb 21-23. "Triumphant. . . full of power and drama" claimed the Chicago Sun-Times when Riccardo Muti last led the Orchestra and Chorus in Mozart's Requiem. Experience the composer's magnificent final masterpiece as part of a season-long reflection on peace. The first CSO performance of American composer William Schuman's Ninth Symphony, which was inspired by one of Italy's most significant World War II memorial sites, opens the concert.

Spanish conductor Pablo Heras-Casado leads a program of Russian masterworks including Tchaikovsky's First Symphony, which showcases the composer's sense of drama, orchestral color and melody. Simon Trpčeski brings his “electrifying virtuosity” (The London Times) to Rachmaninov’s formidable Third Piano Concerto.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Feb 14-17. Spanish conductor Pablo Heras-Casado leads a program of Russian masterworks including Tchaikovsky's First Symphony, which showcases the composer's sense of drama, orchestral color and melody. Simon Trpčeski brings his “electrifying virtuosity” (The London Times) to Rachmaninov’s formidable Third Piano Concerto.

"In song, you have one of the most amazing diaries of any generation's culture at a given time," states Thomas Hampson. The esteemed baritone joins Bramwell Tovey for a concert of American music and songs, followed by Elgar's portraits of his own circle of friends in the Enigma Variations.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Jan 10-12. "In song, you have one of the most amazing diaries of any generation's culture at a given time," states Thomas Hampson. The esteemed baritone joins Bramwell Tovey for a concert of American music and songs, followed by Elgar's portraits of his own circle of friends in the Enigma Variations.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Dec 20-23. Since its premiere in 1742, Handel's Messiah has brought audiences to their feet with its triumphant choruses and dazzling arias. Witness this glorious oratorio-performed by the combined forces of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and an exceptional cast of soloists-as part of a stirring holiday celebration.

Since its premiere in 1742, Handel’s Messiah has brought audiences to their feet with its triumphant choruses and dazzling arias. Witness this glorious oratorio—performed by the combined forces of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and an exceptional cast of soloists—as part of a stirring holiday celebration.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Dec 13-15. Michael Tilson Thomas returns to conduct seminal Russian works including Tchaikovsky's profound and beloved Sixth Symphony. Nicola Benedetti brings her "pure and gleaming," (The New York Times) sound to Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto.

"Music is life, and, like life, inextinguishable" wrote Danish composer Carl Nielsen of his Fourth Symphony, written during the early years of World War I. His life-affirming composition is preceded by Strauss' poignant Four Last Songs, which has been called "the most beautifully delivered farewell in all of music."