Cso Audio Program Notes

One of Beethoven’s most reflective and serene creations, the Fourth Piano Concerto is an ideal vehicle for Mitsuko Uchida, who conveys “a sense of intimacy and directness in her playing, as well as a certain quiet grace” (San Francisco Chronicle). Riccardo Muti also conducts Glass’ Symphony No. 11, a colorful, exuberant score that the composer wrote for his own 80th birthday celebration. Ticket holders are invited to a free preconcert conversation featuring Daniel Schlosberg in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets required. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/muti-uchida-philip-glass SCORED BY GLASS: These concerts are presented in collaboration with the Gene Siskel Film Center. Round out your Glass listening experience with the following film presentations, and celebrate the influence and impact of composer Philip Glass with some favorite Glass scores: Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12 at

A program of rich, Romantic intensity features Rachmaninov’s ravishing Second Piano Concerto, performed by the brilliant Czech pianist Lukáš Vondráček. Elgar’s Enigma Variations are miniature portraits of friends, family members and the composer himself, alternately noble, yearning and blustery in character. Barber’s First Symphony is a mid-century gem, alive with soaring lyricism, bold colors and majestic climaxes. Ticket holders are invited to a free preconcert conversation featuring Steven Rings in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets required. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/alsop-rachmaninov-piano-concerto-no-2

Riccardo Muti conducts a program of Baroque masterpieces by Vivaldi and Handel. CSO musicians are prominently featured in three defining examples of Vivaldi’s mastery of the concerto form. Concluding the program is Handel’s grand and celebrated Water Music. Ticket holders are invited to a free preconcert conversation featuring Daniel Schlosberg in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets required. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/muti-conducts-vivaldi-handel-water-music

Muti leads the CSO in suites from two of Tchaikovsky’s most popular ballets, the timeless and romantic Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Also included in the program are Emil von Reznicek’s delightful overture to his comic opera Donna Diana and Johann Strauss’ regal Emperor Waltz. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/muti-conducts-sleeping-beauty-swan-lake

Riccardo Muti returns to lead the CSO in an all-Beethoven program featuring the composer’s Fifth Symphony, which opens with the most famous theme in classical music. Combined with this iconic work are the light and humorous Eighth Symphony and the stormy Coriolan Overture. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/muti-conducts-beethoven-5-8

In a vibrant program of classical music inspired by the jazz revolution of the 20th century, two of George Gershwin’s iconic works are paired with one he undoubtedly influenced, Ravel’s jazzy Piano Concerto in G Major. Ravel’s most famous work, the mesmerizing Boléro, brings the program to a rousing close. Ticket holders are invited to a free preconcert conversation featuring Larry Rapchak in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets required. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/rhapsody-in-blue-bolero

From the awe-inspiring “Hallelujah” chorus to the many thrilling and intimate arias, Handel’s landmark oratorio is an unmissable CSO holiday tradition. Nicholas McGegan, “one of the finest Baroque conductors of his generation” (The Independent), leads a glorious reunion of the assembled forces of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Ticket holders are invited to a free preconcert conversation featuring Laura Prichard in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets required. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/handel-messiah

Intrepid superstar and CSO Artist-in-Residence Hilary Hahn returns to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, a work laced with the vibrant colors and dance rhythms of the composer’s native Bohemia, which was given its U.S. premiere by the Orchestra in 1891. Andrés Orozco-Estrada leads a world premiere by Gabriela Lena Frank, named by the Washington Post as one of the 35 most significant female composers in history, and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a work that embodies the struggle of triumph over adversity. All ticket holders are invited to a free 30-minute Preconcert Conversation on the Armour Stage, which will start 75 minutes before the scheduled performance time. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/hilary-hahn-dvorak-violin-concerto-tchaikovsky-5/

In his 2019 CSO subscription debut, Ray Chen “conjured the archetypal 19th-century virtuoso” and “combined vivid rhetoric with impeccable technique” (Chicago Tribune). Chen returns to present Lalo’s salute to the vigorous and sultry dance rhythms of Spain. A new work by renowned Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg and Brahms' richly autumnal Fourth Symphony complete this program led by Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu. All ticketholders are invited to a free 30 minute Preconcert Conversation on Armour Stage and will start 75 minutes prior to the scheduled performance time. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/lindberg-lalo-brahms-4

Astor Piazzolla, born a century ago, revolutionized the Argentine tango with urbane sophistication. His Aconcagua — named for an Andean mountain — is alternately pensive and streetwise in spirit. Giancarlo Guerrero leads a program bookended by Buxtehude’s Chaconne, vibrantly orchestrated by Mexican composer Carlos Chávez, and Beethoven’s witty and confident First Symphony. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/guerrero-conducts-piazzolla-and-beethoven/

Astor Piazzolla, born a century ago, revolutionized the Argentine tango with urbane sophistication. His Aconcagua — named for an Andean mountain — is alternately pensive and streetwise in spirit. Giancarlo Guerrero leads a program bookended by Buxtehude’s Chaconne, vibrantly orchestrated by Mexican composer Carlos Chávez, and Beethoven’s witty and confident First Symphony. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/guerrero-conducts-piazzolla-and-beethoven/

Jakub Hrůša conducts a joyful portrait of his Czech homeland in Dvořák’s folk-infused Sixth Symphony. Radiant soprano Joélle Harvey makes her CSO debut in Barber’s nostalgic recollection of small-town America. Opening the program is Coleridge-Taylor’s 1898 breakthrough score, the rhapsodic Ballade. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/coleridge-taylor-barber-dvorak-6/

Jakub Hrůša conducts a joyful portrait of his Czech homeland in Dvořák’s folk-infused Sixth Symphony. Radiant soprano Joélle Harvey makes her CSO debut in Barber’s nostalgic recollection of small-town America. Opening the program is Coleridge-Taylor’s 1898 breakthrough score, the rhapsodic Ballade. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/coleridge-taylor-barber-dvorak-6/

A masterwork of unrestrained joy, Mozart’s final symphony is one of the greatest in the repertoire. Marek Janowski conducts the Jupiter Symphony, along with Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides Overture, a product of his trip to Scotland’s rugged west coast. CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen is soloist in Bruch’s beloved First Violin Concerto, noted for its rapturous melodies and crackling, dance-like finale. Learn more: https://cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/mozart-jupiter-robert-chen-plays-bruch/

A masterwork of unrestrained joy, Mozart’s final symphony is one of the greatest in the repertoire. Marek Janowski conducts the Jupiter Symphony, along with Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides Overture, a product of his trip to Scotland’s rugged west coast. CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen is soloist in Bruch’s beloved First Violin Concerto, noted for its rapturous melodies and crackling, dance-like finale. Learn more: https://cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/mozart-jupiter-robert-chen-plays-bruch/

A hundred years ago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave the world premiere of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with the composer as soloist. Denis Matsuev joins the CSO led by Manfred Honeck to celebrate this milestone with a performance of Prokofiev’s exuberant, poetic and witty score. Coincident Dances by Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery weaves a multicultural sonic tapestry to evoke the experience of walking through a New York City neighborhood. Schubert’s Eighth Symphony bursts with memorable themes that surprise and delight at every turn. Michael Tilson Thomas has withdrawn from these performances due to health reasons. Learn more: cso.org/performances/21-22/cs…-piano-concerto-no-3/

A hundred years ago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave the world premiere of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with the composer as soloist. Denis Matsuev joins the CSO led by Manfred Honeck to celebrate this milestone with a performance of Prokofiev’s exuberant, poetic and witty score. Coincident Dances by Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery weaves a multicultural sonic tapestry to evoke the experience of walking through a New York City neighborhood. Schubert’s Eighth Symphony bursts with memorable themes that surprise and delight at every turn. Michael Tilson Thomas has withdrawn from these performances due to health reasons. Learn more: https://cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/montgomery-schubert-8-prokofiev-piano-concerto-no-3/

Ukrainian-born piano powerhouse Alexander Gavrylyuk presents Prokofiev’s iridescent and rhythmically animated First Piano Concerto, the work with which the composer made his CSO performance debut, in 1918, as part of its U.S. premiere. James Conlon leads this program framed by Shostakovich’s steely Chamber Symphony, an adaptation of his elegiac Eighth String Quartet, and Schubert’s mercurial Symphony No. 3, which shines with youthful vigor. Michael Tilson Thomas has withdrawn from these performances due to health reasons. Learn more: https://cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/shostakovich-schubert-3-prokofiev-piano-concerto-no-1/

Ukrainian-born piano powerhouse Alexander Gavrylyuk presents Prokofiev’s iridescent and rhythmically animated First Piano Concerto, the work with which the composer made his CSO performance debut, in 1918, as part of its U.S. premiere. James Conlon leads this program framed by Shostakovich’s steely Chamber Symphony, an adaptation of his elegiac Eighth String Quartet, and Schubert’s mercurial Symphony No. 3, which shines with youthful vigor. Michael Tilson Thomas has withdrawn from these performances due to health reasons.

Composer Augusta Holmès broke gender barriers in 19th-century Paris, studying with Romantic master César Franck and writing symphonic works on a heroic scale. The sumptuous Night and Love offers a snapshot of her remarkable talents. Saint-Saëns’ richly melodic concerto highlights CSO Principal Cello John Sharp, and Schumann’s Second Symphony expresses triumph after his struggles with illness and depression. Learn more: https://cso.org/performances/21-22/cso-classical/saint-saens-schumann/