CSO Audio Program Notes

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Nov 1-3. Daniel Barenboim makes his highly anticipated return to the Orchestra Hall podium. He conducts Smetana's landmark set of six symphonic poems that weave a rich tapestry celebrating the composer's native Bohemia.

“There could be no more impressive demonstration of modern orchestral virtuosity at its committed best than the pairing of Haitink and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra” (Chicago Tribune). Former principal conductor Bernard Haitink, renowned for his transformative interpretations of symphonic masterworks with the CSO, returns to lead Bruckner’s rich, kaleidoscopic Sixth Symphony. These performances are the conductor’s only U.S. concert engagement this season. Paul Lewis, “a defining interpreter of Beethoven” (Chicago Tribune), joins forces with the orchestra and Haitink to perform the composer’s triumphant Second Piano Concerto. https://cso.org/haitinkbrucknerbeethoven

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Oct 25-30. "There could be no more impressive demonstration of modern orchestral virtuosity at its committed best than the pairing of Haitink and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra" (Chicago Tribune). Former principal conductor Bernard Haitink, renowned for his transformative interpretations of symphonic masterworks with the CSO, returns to lead Bruckner's rich, kaleidoscopic Sixth Symphony. These performances are the conductor's only U.S. concert engagement this season. Paul Lewis, "a defining interpreter of Beethoven" (Chicago Tribune), joins forces with the orchestra and Haitink to perform the composer's triumphant Second Piano Concerto.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Oct 18-20. As part of a series of events honoring the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, this concert features works that encourage reflection and inspire hope. Included on the program is the world premiere of Threnos by Bruno Mantovani, Prokofiev's haunting Third Piano Concerto-performed by Russian superstar Daniil Trifonov-and Copland's Third Symphony, with its poignant use of the Fanfare for the Common Man theme.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Oct 11-14. Andres Orozco-Estrada returns to lead Mahler's monumental Third Symphony. Opening with one of the most original and daring movements in symphonic history, Mahler's ode to the vastness of nature is filled with ambitious ideas that coalesce into a staggeringly beautiful climax.

Brahms' lively Hungarian Dances are paired with Hindemith's symphony Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter), a work that explores the role of an artist in society. David Fray performs Beethoven's dramatic Third Piano Concerto.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Oct 4-5. Brahms' lively Hungarian Dances are paired with Hindemith's symphony Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter), a work that explores the role of an artist in society. David Fray performs Beethoven's dramatic Third Piano Concerto.

Riccardo Muti leads two of Mozart's most popular works, followed by Rimsky-Korsakov's mesmerizing tone poem inspired by The Arabian Nights. Experience an evening of dramatic masterpieces, filled with vivid orchestral color and memorable themes that highlight Maestro Muti’s assertion that "the essence of our spirit is melody."

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Sep 27-29. Riccardo Muti leads two of Mozart's most popular works, followed by Rimsky-Korsakov's mesmerizing tone poem inspired by The Arabian Nights. Experience an evening of dramatic masterpieces, filled with vivid orchestral color and memorable themes that highlight Maestro Muti's assertion that "the essence of our spirit is melody."

"If one function of art is to make us ponder difficult questions, there could not be a more potent example than Shostakovich's 13th" (The Guardian). Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti opens a season of reflection with Shostakovich's gripping setting of poetry by Yevgeny Yevtushenko condemning anti-Semitism and the barbarous acts that took place near Kiev in September 1941.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Sep 21-25. "If one function of art is to make us ponder difficult questions, there could not be a more potent example than Shostakovich's 13th" (The Guardian). Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti opens a season of reflection with Shostakovich's gripping setting of poetry by Yevgeny Yevtushenko condemning anti-Semitism and the barbarous acts that took place near Kiev in September 1941.

"Rossini's Stabat mater is a longstanding specialty of Mr. Muti's. It moves in several directions at once: the arias are as operatic as can be, yet the two unaccompanied choruses are sublimely devotional. The music is unquestionably dramatic: not the extroverted drama of a costumed operatic pageant, but of a prayerful supplicant's interior passion" (The New York Times). Riccardo Muti leads the CSO, Chicago Symphony Chorus and internationally celebrated singers in Rossini's dramatic and thrilling Stabat mater. Lovers of opera and choral works alike will not want to miss this remarkable program that also features Mozart's Kyrie in D Minor and the haunting Chant sur la mort de Joseph Haydn by Cherubini, whom Beethoven considered the greatest of his contemporaries.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Jun 21-24. "Rossini's Stabat mater is a longstanding specialty of Mr. Muti's. It moves in several directions at once: the arias are as operatic as can be, yet the two unaccompanied choruses are sublimely devotional. The music is unquestionably dramatic: not the extroverted drama of a costumed operatic pageant, but of a prayerful supplicant's interior passion" (The New York Times). Riccardo Muti leads the CSO, Chicago Symphony Chorus and internationally celebrated singers in Rossini's dramatic and thrilling Stabat mater. Lovers of opera and choral works alike will not want to miss this remarkable program that also features Mozart's Kyrie in D Minor and the haunting Chant sur la mort de Joseph Haydn by Cherubini, whom Beethoven considered the greatest of his contemporaries.

When Riccardo Muti and Yo-Yo Ma join forces, it is "music-making at the highest level" (Chicago Tribune). The incomparable cellist, renowned for his "technical command, purity of tone and generosity of spirit" (Chicago Sun-Times), collaborates with Muti and the CSO in Shostakovich's introspective and dark-hued Second Cello Concerto. This program of works by 20th-century Russian masters also features Shostakovich's buoyant Festive Overture and Prokofiev's thrilling Third Symphony, a work of dramatic climaxes, rich melodies and vivid orchestral color.

Welcome to this digital edition of Phillip Huscher's Program Notes for upcoming concerts by the CSO Jun 14-16. When Riccardo Muti and Yo-Yo Ma join forces, it is "music-making at the highest level" (Chicago Tribune). The incomparable cellist, renowned for his "technical command, purity of tone and generosity of spirit" (Chicago Sun-Times), collaborates with Muti and the CSO in Shostakovich's introspective and dark-hued Second Cello Concerto. This program of works by 20th-century Russian masters also features Shostakovich's buoyant Festive Overture and Prokofiev's thrilling Third Symphony, a work of dramatic climaxes, rich melodies and vivid orchestral color.