Symphony Center Presents Classical Offerings 2020/21

2020/21 The Biggest Names in Classical Music

mitsuko uchida

SYMPHONY CENTER PRESENTS

welcome

to the 2020/21 season at symphony center

Experience a glittering array of the world’s finest classical artists in intimate performances and thrilling collaborations, including:  

The return of the legendary Berliner Philharmoniker he exceptional pairing of Mitsuko Uchida and the Mahler T Chamber Orchestra performing sublime Mozart piano concertos

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xciting concerts to add to your order at exclusive subscriber prices, E including Itzhak Perlman revisiting his iconic In the Fiddler’s House and Lang Lang performing Bach’s Goldberg Variations

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And much, much more!

lang lang

evgeny kissin anna vinnitskaya

paul lewis

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amanda forsyth

hicago favorites and rising-star pianists in recital, including C Evgeny Kissin, Emanuel Ax, Leif Ove Andsnes, Seong-Jin Cho and Anna Vinnitskaya

gautier capuçon

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cso.org

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symphony center presents

chamber music Experience the most illustrious names in classical music in intimate chamber music performances featuring works ranging from wellloved classics to modern masterpieces.

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joshua bell

mitsuko uchida

jean-yves thibaudet

4-concert series oct 18 sun | 3:00

joshua bell violin Alessio Bax piano

One of the most celebrated violinists of his era, Joshua Bell is praised for “his trademark glowing sound and effortless virtuosity” (The New York Times). He returns to Symphony Center in recital with award-winning Italian pianist Alessio Bax.

dec 13 sun | 2:00

jean-yves thibaudet piano lisa batiashvili violin gautier capuçon cello

note time

Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 1 Ravel Piano Trio Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2

Three incomparable artists, called “a supergroup to savor and a joy to behold” (The Arts Desk), come together for an imaginative recital of three famous trios by Shostakovich, Mendelssohn and Ravel.

mar 21 sun | 3:00

mahler chamber orchestra mitsuko uchida piano and conductor

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat Major, K. 456 Janáček Mládí Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467

M itsuko Uchida and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra are “an ideal match—a pianist of impeccable Mozartean credentials and an orchestra of acute sensitivity and musical awareness” (The Guardian).

Hear this perfect pairing perform Mozart concertos ranging in mood from sunny to dramatically striking.

apr 25 sun | 3:00

jerusalem quartet pinchas zukerman violin and viola amanda forsyth cello

Bruckner Adagio from String Quintet in F Major Dvořák String Sextet in A Major, Op. 48

Brahms String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 18

Witness the melodic brilliance of this all-star string sextet in a program of late Romantic works. “It is rare to find playing as beautiful...radiant warmth and feeling flowed everywhere” (Vancouver Classical Music).

pinchas zukerman

cso.org

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symphony center presents

orchestras The world’s top orchestras led by today’s preeminent conductors come to Chicago.

yannick nÉzet-sÉguin

lisa batiashvili

valery gergiev

kirill petrenko

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3-concert series berliner philharmoniker

nov 15 sun | 7:00

berliner philharmoniker

Ives Central Park in the Dark Norman Unstuck R. Strauss Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben

Kirill Petrenko conductor

The legendary Berliner Philharmoniker returns to Chicago, 11 years since its last appearance, with new chief conductor Kirill Petrenko.

Hear one of the world’s finest orchestras, which Richard Strauss called the “most intelligent, splendid and freshest orchestra I know,” in a program featuring two of the composer’s most popular works.

feb 14 sun | 3:00

mariinsky orchestra

Valery Gergiev conductor Alexandre Kantorow piano

Prokofiev Three Selections from Romeo and Juliet Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 Mahler Symphony No. 5

The internationally lauded Mariinsky Orchestra, one of Russia’s oldest institutions, presents a riveting program of Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Mahler’s epic Fifth Symphony. “The orchestra, under musical director Valery Gergiev, moves as if with a single mind and always with purposeful passion” (The Times, London).

mar 13 sat | 8:00

chamber orchestra of europe

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conductor Lisa Batiashvili violin

Brahms Violin Concerto Brahms Symphony No. 3

Dynamic conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and “the finest chamber orchestra in the world” (BBC 2 Television) are an enchanting combination with “a sheer joy of playing that resonates with every single note” (Kölnische Rundschau). Experience them in an all-Brahms program featuring “the gorgeous tone and fabulous technique” (The New York Times) of Lisa Batiashvili.

cso.org

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symphony center presents

piano Be transformed by the power and passion of solo piano recitals. This unparalleled lineup of internationally acclaimed pianists from around the world ranges from rising stars to returning Chicago favorites.

anna vinnitskaya

leif ove andsnes

evgeny kissin

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sundays at 3:00 E Full 10-concert series

/

A

5-concert selection /

oct 4

richard goode

E / B

Mozart Sonata in F Major, K. 533/494 Mozart Rondo in A Minor, K. 511 Brahms Seven Fantasies, Op. 116 Chopin Mazurka in C Major, Op. 56, No. 2 Chopin Three Mazurkas, Op. 59 Debussy Images, Book II Debussy Selected Etudes Debussy L’isle joyeuse

B

5-concert selection

Richard Goode is hailed for his “majestic, profound readings” (The New York Times). Hear one of today’s most revered pianists in a program of playful, touching and intricate works from Mozart to Debussy.

nov 1

anna vinnitskaya

E / A

Schumann Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18 Schumann Sonata No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11 Tchaikovsky Selection from The Seasons Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales Ravel La valse

“A true lioness at the keyboard” (The Washington Post), Anna Vinnistkaya debuts at Symphony Center with a program of popular works including Schumann’s wistful Arabesque and Ravel’s whirling La valse.

jan 24

leif ove andsnes

E / A

Schumann Three Romances, Op. 28 Janáček On an Overgrown Path, Book I Bartók Three Burlesques Schumann Carnaval

With his trademark “poetic elegance, unyielding clarity and nuanced touch” (Chicago Sun-Times), Leif Ove Andsnes performs the first book of Janáček’s intimate, evocative cycle On an Overgrown Path and Schumann’s festive and scenic Carnaval.

feb 21

paul lewis

E / B

Mendelssohn Selections from Songs Without Words Mozart Sonata in A Major, K. 331 Haydn Piano Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:24 Scriabin Five Preludes, Op. 74 Mussorgsky Pictures from an Exhibition

Paul Lewis brings “his customary intelligence and intensity” (The Guardian) to a wide-ranging program including Mozart’s energetic Sonata in A Major and Mussorgsky’s most famous piano work, Pictures from an Exhibition.

cso.org

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more piano mar 14

emanuel ax

E / A

Program to include: Brahms Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118 Norman Suspend Chopin Andante spianato and Grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22 Chopin Polonaise-Fantasy in A-flat Major, Op. 61

Admired worldwide for his “overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect” (Los Angeles Times), Emanuel Ax returns with a program that pairs Brahms’ beloved Six Piano Pieces with Andrew Norman’s Suspend, a rumination on the Brahmsian dualities of freedom and solitude.

mar 28

seong-jin cho

E / B

Schumann Humoreske Szymanowski Masques Chopin Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20 Chopin Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31 Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 39 Chopin Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54

Seong-Jin Cho was brought to the world’s attention in 2015 when he won First Prize at the International Chopin Competition.

He brings his “poetic and fiery temperament” (Los Angeles Times) to Chopin’s brilliant, virtuosic scherzos in his Symphony Center debut.

apr 18

evgeny kissin

E / A

Chopin Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1 Chopin Impromptu No. 1 in A-flat Major, Op. 29 Chopin Impromptu No. 2 in F-sharp Major, Op. 36 Chopin Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat Major, Op. 51 Chopin Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20 Chopin Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat Major, Op. 53 Berg Sonata, Op. 1 Khrennikov Dance, Op. 5, No. 3 Khrennikov Five Pieces, Op. 2 Gershwin Three Preludes

Legendary Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin returns for a recital that features Chopin’s enchanting Impromptus and Nocturne in B Major.

“It was in the Chopin where Kissin’s special gifts shone the brightest” (Chicago Tribune).

emanuel ax

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seong-jin cho

sundays at 3:00 E Full 10-concert series

/

A

5-concert selection /

B

5-concert selection

may 9

maurizio pollini

E / B

Schoenberg Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11 Schoenberg Six Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19 Beethoven Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier)

Celebrated for music-making of matchless sophistication, unshakable concentration and unyielding integrity, Maurizio Pollini occupies a special place among the ranks of today’s great pianists. Hear this “towering musical presence” (Gramophone) in his annual recital appearance at Symphony Center.

may 23

marc-andré hamelin

E / B

C.P.E. Bach Rondo in C Minor Schubert Sonata in A Major, D. 959 Schumann Waldszenen Ravel Gaspard de la nuit

Marc-André Hamelin brings his “commanding technique” (The New York Times) to a program that includes Schumann’s pastoral Waldszenen and Ravel’s fantastical suite Gaspard de la nuit.

jun 6

david fray

E / A

All-Schubert Program

Praised by The New York Times for a Schubert performance that was “beautifully played and rapturously received,” David Fray returns to Symphony Center for an all-Schubert recital.

david fray

marc-andré hamelin

cso.org

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more music at symphony center These concerts make a perfect addition to any concert series.

Enjoy exclusive savings as a subscriber. Visit cso.org/addons for pricing.

oct 3 sat | 6:30

2020 symphony ball: beethoven 5

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti conductor Yefim Bronfman piano

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Celebrate at the annual Symphony Ball concert and the culmination of the Beethoven anniversary. Yefim Bronfman, a “leonine virtuoso” (Chicago Tribune), brings the power and poetry of the Third Piano Concerto to life. Riccardo Muti and the CSO perform Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony.

oct 25 sat | 3:00

ttend the concert, or attend the concert and the Ball for the complete experience.

A Gala packages include premium concert seating, plus postconcert dinner and dancing at the Four Seasons. Call 312-294-3185 or email symphonyball@cso.org for more information.

china ncpa orchestra Lü Jia conductor Wu Wei sheng

Chen Itinéraire d’une illusion

Unsuk Chin Šu, for sheng and orchestra

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4

yefim bronfman

riccardo muti

One of China’s most prestigious ensembles, the National Centre of the Performing Arts Orchestra, presents a program of contemporary and classical works including Unsuk Chin’s glistening Šu, a concerto for the ancient Chinese mouth organ, written for sheng virtuoso Wu Wei. The program concludes with Tchaikovsky’s powerfully dramatic Fourth Symphony.

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itzhak perlman

lang lang

jan 26 tue | 7:30

orpheus chamber orchestra branford marsalis alto saxophone

Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville Rodrigo Suite from Soleriana Debussy Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra Ibert Concertino da camera for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra Turina La oración del torero Bryan Carmen, Jazz Suite on Themes by Bizet

Branford Marsalis collaborates with the innovative Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for a program that explores the intersection of jazz and classical, from Debussy’s jazz-inspired Rhapsody to a newly commissioned work by Courtney Bryan that uses Bizet’s famous themes from Carmen.

mar 7 sun | 3:00

lang lang piano

Bach Goldberg Variations

“The hottest artist on the classical music planet” (The New York Times), piano phenomenon Lang Lang comes back to Chicago for a solo performance of Bach’s towering masterpiece, the Goldberg Variations.

may 2 sun | 7:00

itzhak perlman violin in the fiddler’s house

Featuring:

Hankus Netsky music director, saxophone and piano

Andy Statman clarinet and mandolin

Members of the Brave Old World and Klezmer Conservatory Band

Beloved violinist Itzhak Perlman revisits his iconic project In the Fiddler’s House, a charming journey through traditional klezmer music, in celebration of its 25th anniversary. “With klezmer, Perlman appears to be perfectly at home . . . the look of sheer delight that continually illuminates his face underscores the sense of discovery that touches almost every note he plays” (Los Angeles Times).

cso.org

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curated series prices  save up to 30% FLYNN GALLERY 1G Gallery 2G Gallery (Partial View) KREHBIEL UPPER BALCONY 1U Upper Balcony 2U Upper Balcony (Partial View) FADIM LOWER BALCONY 1L Lower Balcony 2L Lower Balcony 3L Lower Balcony 4L Lower Balcony 5L Lower Balcony Boxes Right Boxes Left MELK MAIN FLOOR 1M Main Floor 2M Main Floor 3M Main Floor 4M Main Floor 5M Main Floor BOX SEATS

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Chamber

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Orchestras

Piano E

Piano A

Piano B

4-concert series Save 30%

3-concert series Save 30%

10-concert series Save 30%

5-concert series Save 20%

5-concert series Save 20%

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