“Uchida’s remarkable approach to the piano is a given. But the way in which Muti and the Orchestra seemed to be breathing as one with her every second of the way had an astonishing effect, and made the audience fully complicit in the magic” (Chicago Sun-Times). Muti, Uchida and the CSO reunite for Mozart’s dark and urgent Piano Concerto No. 20, followed by a divertimento and suites from two of Stravinsky’s brilliant ballet scores, The Fairy's Kiss and The Firebird. Tickets and more info: https://cso.org/ticketsandevents/production-details-2018-19/chicago-symphony-orchestra/muti-uchida-mozart/

Riccardo Muti leads an evening of dramatic and evocative works, pairing Respighi’s captivating Pines of Rome with a rare performance of Bizet’s own portrait of the great city. Celebrated mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato returns for Berlioz’s poignant cantata based on the ill-fated Cleopatra.

Riccardo Muti leads an evening of dramatic and evocative works, pairing Respighi’s captivating Pines of Rome with a rare performance of Bizet’s own portrait of the great city. Celebrated mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato returns for Berlioz’s poignant cantata based on the ill-fated Cleopatra. “The staggering, joyful artistry of Joyce DiDonato—one of the finest singers of our time—compels us to listen actively, to hear things anew” (Gramophone). Tickets and more info: https://cso.org/ticketsandevents/production-details-2018-19/chicago-symphony-orchestra/muti-pines-of-rome/

Riccardo Muti leads a wide-ranging program featuring music from Rossini’s witty comic opera Il viaggio a Reims and Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser. Also on the program are two virtuosic concertos—one baroque and one contemporary—featuring CSO Piccolo Jennifer Gunn, and Beethoven’s cheerful Second Symphony.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Mar 14-16. Riccardo Muti leads a wide-ranging program featuring music from Rossini's witty comic opera Il viaggio a Reims and Wagner's Overture to Tannhauser. Also on the program are two virtuosic concertos-one baroque and one contemporary-featuring CSO Piccolo Jennifer Gunn, and Beethoven's cheerful Second Symphony.

David Afkham makes his highly anticipated return to conduct the CSO in Beethoven’s noble Emperor Concerto and Dvořák’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 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.