Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO May 11-15. Emmanuel Krivine leads the CSO in the shimmering and majestic Organ Symphony. After completing his third and final symphony, Saint-Saens declared: "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again." Also on the program is Brahms' turbulent Tragic Overture and Schumann's heart-wrenching Violin Concerto with Isabelle Faust, an artist of "disarming warmth and sweetness who can unveil hidden strains of lyricism" (The New York Times).

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO May 3-5. Semyon Bychkov returns to conduct Tchaikovsky's vividly dramatic Manfred Symphony, based on Lord Byron's tragic and enigmatic hero. The legendary Labeque sisters, "the best piano duet in front of an audience today" (The New York Times), join the CSO for a rarely performed gem, Bruch's richly melodic Concerto for Two Pianos.

Legendary composer John Williams returns to the Orchestra Hall podium to conduct the incomparable CSO in some of his most beloved and unforgettable works. Sharing the podium with longtime CSO at the Movies guest conductor, Richard Kaufman, John Williams has crafted a thrilling concert that will feature music from E.T., Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Lincoln, and more.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Apr 26-29. Legendary composer John Williams returns to the Orchestra Hall podium to conduct the incomparable CSO in some of his most beloved and unforgettable works. Sharing the podium with longtime CSO at the Movies guest conductor, Richard Kaufman, John Williams has crafted a thrilling concert that will feature music from E.T., Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Lincoln, and more.

Muti caps a season-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's death with two of his most celebrated and tragically romantic works: the symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini and his treasured ballet Swan Lake. In a rare treat, Muti pairs these works with two by French composer Claude Debussy, another master of vivid orchestral colors. His ethereal Sacred and Profane Dances will feature CSO Principal Harp Sarah Bullen as soloist.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Apr 19-21. Muti caps a season-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's death with two of his most celebrated and tragically romantic works: the symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini and his treasured ballet Swan Lake. In a rare treat, Muti pairs these works with two by French composer Claude Debussy, another master of vivid orchestral colors. His ethereal Sacred and Profane Dances will feature CSO Principal Harp Sarah Bullen as soloist.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Apr 12-17. Riccardo Muti presents an extraordinary celebration of music that embodies the American spirit. Distinguished Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated actor John Malkovich joins the CSO to narrate Copland's inspirational Lincoln Portrait, which uses the words of Abraham Lincoln to highlight Lincoln's life and the nation's diversity. Dvorak's New World Symphony, one his most beloved works, was influenced by the sounds of American folk music.

A centennial celebration of musical icon Leonard Bernstein continues with Kent Nagano conducting one of his most profound compositions, The Age of Anxiety Symphony. A jazzy, concerto-like work inspired by a poem written by W.H. Auden, it tells the story of four strangers in a New York bar who connect through a shared search for the meaning of life. The evening closes with Schumann's First Symphony, a joyous celebration of spring.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Mar 22-24. The celebrated Chicago Symphony Chorus, marking its 60th anniversary in 2017/18, joins Riccardo Muti, the CSO and international soloists for a moving performance of Schubert's exquisite final Mass, written at the end of the young composer's life.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Mar 15-17. Riccardo Muti, a superlative interpreter of Classical-era works, conducts a program of compositions by Haydn and Mozart. CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen is featured soloist in Mozart's celebrated Sinfonia concertante. "Chen gave an intense and impassioned performance in a work that is virtuosically demanding, and the result was a powerful experience" (Seen and Heard International).