2026/27 Classical Brochure

In every note exists a moment — a chance to be transformed by the power of music.

A concert is shaped by many moments: the warm golden glow of the lobby, the hum of fellow audience members heading to their seats and, woven throughout it all, the music. From the dramatic roar of a full orchestra to the final gesture of a brilliant soloist, each note reflects centuries of evolution and lifetimes of dedication, creating unforgettable experiences that move, uplift and linger long after the final chord fades.

For the 2026/27 Season, make music part of the moments that matter most to you.

Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä

Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti

2026/27 CSO

Artist-in-Residence

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Classical

September

Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn

17 THU B | B2 7:30

18 FRI A | A1 1:30

19 SAT B | B1 7:30

Petr Popelka conductor

Hilary Hahn violin

SCHUMANN Overture to Manfred

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto

DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 5

Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is packed with magical melodies and sparkling action, and there’s no more stylish interpreter than Hilary Hahn. Dvořák’s Fifth Symphony transports listeners from a country meadow to a Viennese ballroom.

Mäkelä Conducts

Sibelius & Shostakovich

24 THU A | A1 7:30

25 FRI A | A2 1:30

26 SAT A | A1 7:30

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

SIBELIUS Symphony No. 7

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 4

Two exhilarating symphonies launch the fall residency of Zell Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä — one that travels through majestic Nordic landscapes and another that reveals a Soviet-era composer in all his brilliant audacity.

October

Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9

1 THU C | C2 7:30

2 FRI A | A1 1:30

3 SAT C | C1 7:30

4 SUN A | A1 3:00

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

MAHLER Symphony No. 9

In his valedictory Ninth Symphony, Mahler charts a deeply human journey, exploring the spirit’s capacity for beauty, sorrow and transcendence.

Mäkelä, Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast

8 THU B | B1 7:30

9 FRI B | B1 7:30

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

Thomas Hampson baritone

Chicago Symphony Chorus Donald Palumbo chorus director

GABRIELI (arr. Higgins) Canzon duodecimi toni STRAVINSKY Petrushka

GABRIELI (arr. Crees) Sonata pian’ e forte WALTON Belshazzar’s Feast

Travel to the exotic Babylon of Belshazzar’s Feast, Walton’s cantata about the king who holds a garish pagan celebration. Stravinsky uses vivid orchestral colors of his own in Petrushka, a fanciful tale of puppets coming to life.

Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations

15 THU A | A2 7:30

16 FRI A | A2 1:30

17 SAT B | B2 7:30

Giancarlo Guerrero conductor

Anne Akiko Meyers violin

SIERRA Fandangos

MÁRQUEZ Fandango first cso performance

ELGAR Enigma Variations

Few contemporary violin concertos have made a splash quite like Márquez’s Fandango Hear it played by Anne Akiko Meyers — for whom it was written — along with another vibrant take on the fandango and a touching series of musical portraits by Elgar.

Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto

22 THU C | C1 7:30

23 FRI WHEATON A 7:30 Edman Memorial Chapel

24 SAT A | A2 7:30

25 SUN A | A2 3:00

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conductor

Jian Wang cello

NIELSEN Overture to Maskarade

DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto

TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from The Sleeping Beauty

Jian Wang returns in Dvořák’s soaring Cello Concerto, the crown jewel of Romantic cello repertoire. Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Suite transports you to the Golden Age of ballet.

Brahms Requiem

29 THU A | A1 7:30

30 FRI A | A1 1:30

31 SAT B | B1 7:30

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conductor

Louise Alder soprano cso debut

Konstantin Krimmel baritone

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Donald Palumbo chorus director

MOZART Symphony No. 36 (Linz)

BRAHMS A German Requiem

Brahms called A German Requiem his “human requiem,” and the gently powerful score offers a chance to reflect on love, sorrow and the passing of time. Mozart’s Linz Symphony is at once joyous and contemplative.

November

Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita

5 THU B | B1 7:30

6 FRI A | A2 1:30

7 SAT C | C2 7:30

8 SUN A | A1 3:00

Marek Janowski conductor Mao Fujita piano cso debut

WAGNER Prelude to Parsifal R. STRAUSS Burlesque BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

Rising pianist Mao Fujita has made Strauss’ Burlesque a calling card, playing it “with the maturity of someone twice his age” (Bachtrack). Framing his performance are Wagner’s radiant Parsifal prelude and Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony.

November

Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman

19 THU C | C2 7:30

20 FRI B | B2 7:30

21 SAT A | A1 7:30

Jaap van Zweden conductor

Vadim Gluzman violin

WOLFE Liberty Bell first cso performance

PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 2

RACHMANINOV Symphony No. 2

Be swept away by yearning passion, nostalgia and soaring climaxes. Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony draws you from one movement into the next, and Chicago favorite Vadim Gluzman takes on Prokofiev’s kaleidoscopic Second Violin Concerto.

December

Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8

3 THU A | A2 7:30

4 FRI B | B1 7:30

5 SAT C | C2 7:30

Riccardo Muti conductor

William Welter oboe

BARTÓK Two Pictures

R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto

DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 8

Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti leads Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony — a tribute to the landscapes and folk dances of the composer’s native Bohemia. Principal Oboe William Welter is the soloist in Strauss’ autumnal Oboe Concerto.

Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman

10 THU B | B2 7:30

11 FRI A | A1 1:30

12 SAT B | B2 7:30

Riccardo Muti conductor

Yefim Bronfman piano

CHERUBINI Overture in G Major

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24

STRAUSS FAMILY Selections from overtures, waltzes and polkas

Nothing beats the December chill like a musical trip to old Vienna. Dance numbers by Johann Strauss Jr. and family are paired with Mozart’s graceful piano concerto, with the acclaimed Yefim Bronfman as soloist.

Handel’s Messiah

17 THU C | C1 7:30

18 FRI A | A2 1:30

19 SAT C | C1 7:30

Masaaki Suzuki conductor cso debut

Sherezade Panthaki soprano cso debut

Hugh Cutting countertenor cso debut

Andrew Haji tenor

Paul Max Tipton bass-baritone cso debut

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Donald Palumbo chorus director

HANDEL Messiah

Filled with uplifting messages and intimate storytelling, Handel’s oratorio never fails to inspire. A stellar cast of soloists and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by Baroque music authority Masaaki Suzuki.

February

Rana Plays Tchaikovsky

4 THU A | A2 7:30

5 FRI WHEATON A 7:30

Edman Memorial Chapel

6 SAT C | C1 7:30

7 SUN A | A2 3:00

Dima Slobodeniouk conductor

Beatrice Rana piano

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 3

TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1

NIELSEN Symphony No. 4 (The Inextinguishable)

Tchaikovsky’s explosive concerto with Beatrice Rana, one of “the finest pianists out there” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), anchors a program steeped in heroic struggle — from Beethoven’s meditation on freedom to Nielsen’s wartime vision of “everything that moves, that desires life.”

Thibaudet & The Mermaid

11 THU C | C1 7:30

12 FRI A | A2 1:30

13 SAT A | A2 7:30

Fabien Gabel conductor

Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano

MUSSORGSKY (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov)

Prelude to Khovanshchina

KHACHATURIAN Piano Concerto

ZEMLINSKY The Mermaid 2026/27 CSO Artist-in-Residence Jean-Yves Thibaudet takes on Khachaturian’s concerto, a beguiling, colorful blend of Russian Romanticism and Armenian folk music. Mussorgsky’s portrait of a Moscow sunrise and Zemlinsky’s luscious retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale frame the program.

Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby

19 FRI A | A1 1:30

20 SAT C | C2 7:30

21 SUN A | A1 3:00

Karina Canellakis conductor

Randall Goosby violin

BEETHOVEN Overture to Egmont

MOZART Violin Concerto No. 3

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 15

While in a hospital bed, Shostakovich embarked on his final symphony and filled it with memories from his profound musical life. Mozart’s effervescent concerto is a calling card for the engaging Randall Goosby.

Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1

25 THU B | B2 7:30

26 FRI A | A2 1:30

27 SAT A | A2 7:30

Manfred Honeck conductor

BATES The Escapist Symphony world premiere, cso commission

MAHLER Symphony No. 1

Come along on two heroic journeys. The world premiere of The Escapist Symphony by Mason Bates draws on his opera The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, inspired by an anti-fascist superhero tale. Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony follows, charting a path from nature’s awakening to a storm-tossed finale.

March

Bicket, Weiss & Bach

4 THU A | A1 7:30

5 FRI B | B2 7:30

6 SAT B | B1 7:30

Harry Bicket conductor

Orion Weiss piano

MOZART Serenata notturna

BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 1

BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 3

PÄRT Summa first cso performance

PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1 (Classical)

Orion Weiss is the soloist in two of Bach’s most celebrated concertos in this eraspanning program that also features gems by Mozart and Pärt, plus Prokofiev’s affectionate parody of Haydn.

March

Beethoven Violin

Concerto & Mendelssohn

11 THU C | C2 7:30

12 FRI A | A1 1:30

13 SAT A | A1 7:30

14 SUN A | A2 3:00

Maxim Emelyanychev conductor cso debut

Isabelle Faust violin

MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL Overture in C Major first cso performance

MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 5 (Reformation)

BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

Vast and noble, Beethoven’s revolutionary concerto is a perfect vehicle for the insights and golden sound of Isabelle Faust. Felix Mendelssohn’s symphony features a stately fantasy on a chorale by Martin Luther, and the first CSO performance of an overture by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel reveals her distinct musical voice and command of form.

A Little Night Music

18 THU A | A2 7:30

19 FRI WHEATON A 7:30 Edman Memorial Chapel

20 SAT C | C1 7:30

James Gaffigan conductor

Alisa Weilerstein cello

PROKOFIEV Symphony-Concerto

MOZART Eine kleine Nachtmusik

SCHUMANN Symphony No. 4

Prokofiev’s concerto is a speciality of Alisa Weilerstein, who captures its visceral joy and sardonic humor. Robert Schumann’s Fourth Symphony is a fervent memento of his happy marriage. Eine kleine Nachtmusik reveals Mozart at his most charming.

April

Jordan, Hadelich & Tchaikovsky 4

2 FRI B | B1 7:30

3 SAT B | B2 7:30

Philippe Jordan conductor

Augustin Hadelich violin

WAGNER Overture to Rienzi

KORNGOLD Violin Concerto

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4

Following his spellbinding appearance last season, Augustin Hadelich returns for Korngold’s Violin Concerto paired with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, which swings from dark despair to exuberant triumph.

Muti Conducts Rossini

8 THU C | C2 7:30

9 FRI B | B2 7:30

10 SAT A | A1 7:30

Riccardo Muti conductor

Eleonora Buratto soprano

Elizabeth DeShong mezzo-soprano

Giovanni Sala tenor

Maharram Huseynov bass-baritone

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Donald Palumbo chorus director

ROSSINI Overture to William Tell

ROSSINI Ballet Music from William Tell first cso performance

ROSSINI Stabat mater

A specialty of Riccardo Muti, Rossini’s Stabat mater fuses operatic drama with devotional majesty. Music from William Tell opens the program, including the overture whose whirlwind finale has raced from the opera house to TV, movies and pop culture.

Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7

15 THU A | A1 7:30

16 FRI B | B1 7:30

17 SAT C | C2 7:30

18 SUN A | A2 3:00

Jakub Hrůša conductor

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 7 (Leningrad)

Composed during the siege of Leningrad in World War II, Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony captures the spirit of resistance with raw immediacy. Named 2026 Conductor of the Year by Musical America, Jakub Hrůša leads a powerful performance of this landmark work.

Glover, Chen & the CSO

22 THU B | B1 7:30

23 FRI A | A2 1:30

24 SAT A | A2 7:30

Dame Jane Glover conductor Robert Chen violin

ABELS More Seasons first cso performance

R. STRAUSS Violin Concerto

RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin

HAYDN Symphony No. 83 (The Hen)

Join Dame Jane Glover and the CSO for Haydn’s playful The Hen Symphony and Michael Abels’ witty take on Vivaldi. Also enjoy Richard Strauss’ mercurial concerto, here featuring Concertmaster Robert Chen, and Ravel’s tender dance suite.

May

Honeck Conducts Mahler & Bruckner 9

6 THU A | A1 7:30

7 FRI A | A1 1:30

8 SAT A | A1 7:30

Manfred Honeck conductor

Marianne Crebassa mezzo-soprano

MAHLER Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn

BRUCKNER Symphony No. 9

Bruckner’s final symphony creates a world of serenity and soaring majesty. Manfred Honeck guides us through this masterpiece along with Mahler’s bittersweet song cycle featuring mezzo-soprano

Marianne Crebassa.

Mäkelä, Batiashvili & Sibelius 1

13 THU C | C1 7:30

15 SAT B | B1 7:30

16 SUN A | A1 3:00

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

Lisa Batiashvili violin

LINDBERG New Work

united states premiere, cso co-commission

LINDBERG Violin Concerto No. 1 first cso performance

SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1

Klaus Mäkelä surveys music of his native Finland with works by Magnus Lindberg: a CSO co-commission, followed by his First Violin Concerto, played by Lisa Batiashvili. An exuberant Sibelius symphony concludes the program.

Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo

20 THU B | B2 7:30

21 FRI A | A2 1:30

22 SAT C | C1 7:30

Tan Dun conductor cso debut

Yuri Yamashita percussion cso debut

TAN DUN Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds first cso performance

TAN DUN Water Concerto first cso performance

TAN DUN Concerto for Orchestra from Marco Polo first cso performance

Explore the kaleidoscopic musical world of Tan Dun, who leads the CSO in three of his inventive works that make use of everything from ancient relics to water and recorded bird songs.

May

Esa-Pekka Salonen & Yunchan Lim

27 THU C | C1 7:30

28 FRI A | A1 1:30

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor

Yunchan Lim piano

SALONEN Tiu (Revised Version)

united states premiere

LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2

PRIORITY ACCESS CONCERT*

BERLIOZ Selections from Romeo and Juliet

Pianist Yunchan Lim shows why he’s among today’s most thrilling Liszt interpreters in a program that also features Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting his own music and orchestral selections from Berlioz’s passionate Romeo and Juliet.

June

Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen

3 THU B | B1 7:30

4 FRI A | A2 1:30

5 SAT B | B2 7:30

6 SUN A | A1 3:00

Kazuki Yamada conductor

Lucas Jussen piano

Arthur Jussen piano

GLASS The Light first cso performance

POULENC Concerto for Two Pianos

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2

Poulenc’s imaginative Double Concerto is animated by Dutch brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen. Also discover a wondrous score by Glass and Tchaikovsky’s symphony built on Ukrainian folk tunes.

Rachmaninov Piano

Concerto No. 2

10 THU C | C2 7:30

11 FRI A | A1 1:30

12 SAT C | C2 7:30

Sir Mark Elder conductor Benjamin Grosvenor piano

RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2

ELGAR Symphony No. 1

British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor embraces both the romance and the danger of Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. This sets the stage for Elgar’s most passionate work: his First Symphony.

Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9

17 THU A | A2 7:30

18 FRI B | B2 7:30

19 SAT A | A2 7:30

20 SUN A | A2 3:00

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

Chen Reiss soprano

Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano

PRIORITY ACCESS CONCERT*

Siyabonga Maqungo tenor cso debut

Gerald Finley bass-baritone cso debut

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Donald Palumbo chorus director

BEETHOVEN Elegy

BOULEZ Le soleil des eaux first cso performance

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

Two hundred years ago, Beethoven shook the world with his final symphony, and especially its Ode to Joy finale. Klaus Mäkelä pairs this monumental work with Beethoven’s poignant Elegy and Boulez’s iridescent cantata.

*Tickets to priority access concerts are currently only available to subscribers.

Classical Curated Packages Subscribe and save up to 30%

Thursdays at 7:30

A 10-Concert Package

Includes A1+A2

Klaus Mäkelä bookends this kaleidoscopic series with robust symphonies by Sibelius, Shostakovich and Beethoven. Also on the lineup are Romantic masterworks by Bruckner, Dvořák and Elgar; dazzling concertos, and a soaring choral landmark.

B 8-Concert Package

Includes B1+B2

Plan a perfect night on the town with this eightconcert lineup of cherished favorites, lesser-known gems and bold premieres. Hear symphonies by Haydn, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák and Mahler; a lavish cantata by Walton, and Tan Dun’s trailblazing music.

C 10-Concert Package

Includes C1+C2

Timeless tales of good against evil and of victory over darkness course through the concerts on this series. Hear sumptuous pieces by Berlioz, Rossini, Tchaikovsky and Zemlinsky, plus spiritual works by Handel and Mendelssohn.

A1-2 5-Concert Selection

9/24 A1 Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich 10/29 A1 Brahms Requiem

3/4 A1 Bicket, Weiss & Bach

4/15 A1 Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7

5/6 A1 Honeck Conducts Mahler & Bruckner 9

10/15 A2 Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations 12/3 A2 Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8

2/4 A2 Rana Plays Tchaikovsky

3/18 A2 A Little Night Music

6/17 A2 Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9

B1-2 4-Concert Selection

10/8 B1 Mäkelä, Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast 11/5 B1 Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita 4/22 B1 Glover, Chen & the CSO 6/3 B1 Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen

9/17 B2 Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn 12/10 B2 Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman 2/25 B2 Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1 5/20 B2 Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo

C1-2 5-Concert Selection

10/22 C1 Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto 12/17 C1 Handel’s Messiah 2/11 C1 Thibaudet & The Mermaid 5/13 C1 Mäkelä, Batiashvili & Sibelius 1 5/27 C1 Esa-Pekka Salonen & Yunchan Lim

10/1 C2 Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9 11/19 C2 Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman 3/11 C2 Beethoven Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn 4/8 C2 Muti Conducts Rossini 6/10 C2 Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2

Fridays at 1:30

A 18-Concert Package

Includes A1+A2

This flagship series offers a marvelously varied portrait of the CSO. Across 18 afternoons in Orchestra Hall, delve into symphonic masterworks from Beethoven to Shostakovich, hear today’s top soloists, and savor inspiring choral music from Brahms and Handel.

GREATEST SAVINGS: 18-concert FRI A package

Fridays at 7:30

B 8-Concert Package

Includes B1+B2

Sample the best of the season’s offerings with this eight-concert series. Enjoy several iconic symphonies, immerse yourself in soulful Russian masterworks, and experience the vocal splendor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

WHEATON A 3-Concert Package

Spend your Friday nights with music by Tchaikovsky, Schumann and Nielsen as well as top soloists including Beatrice Rana and Alisa Weilerstein.

A1-2 9-Concert Selection

9/18 A1 Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn 10/2 A1 Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9 10/30 A1 Brahms Requiem 12/11 A1 Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman

2/19 A1 Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby

3/12 A1 Beethoven Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn

5/7 A1 Honeck Conducts Mahler & Bruckner 9 5/28 A1 Esa-Pekka Salonen & Yunchan Lim 6/11 A1 Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2

9/25 A2 Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich 10/16 A2 Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations 11/6 A2 Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita 12/18 A2 Handel’s Messiah

2/12 A2 Thibaudet & The Mermaid 2/26 A2 Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1

4/23 A2 Glover, Chen & the CSO

5/21 A2 Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo 6/4 A2 Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen

B1-2 4-Concert Selection

10/9 B1 Mäkelä, Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast 12/4 B1 Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8

4/2 B1 Jordan, Hadelich & Tchaikovsky 4 4/16 B1 Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7

11/20 B2 Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman

3/5 B2 Bicket, Weiss & Bach 4/9 B2 Muti Conducts Rossini 6/18 B2 Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9

CSO at Wheaton — Edman Memorial Chapel

10/23 Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto 2/5 Rana Plays Tchaikovsky 3/19 A Little Night Music

Saturdays at 7:30

A 10-Concert Package

Includes A1+A2

Recommended for aficionados and newcomers alike, this 10-concert series spotlights deeply rewarding symphonies from Haydn to Shostakovich. Immerse yourself in great musical storytelling by Tchaikovsky, Zemlinsky and Mason Bates, and savor the passion and spirituality of Rossini.

B 8-Concert Package

Includes B1+B2

Gather with friends or your special someone in Orchestra Hall for eight nights of enthralling music. Hear sweeping works by Elgar, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky and Korngold, and experience music based on the Spanish fandango and the Viennese waltz.

C 10-Concert Package

Includes C1+C2

Leading soloists of our day perform some of the most thrilling and demanding concertos in this 10-concert collection. Immerse yourself in works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Richard Strauss.

A1-2 5-Concert Selection

9/26 A1 Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich 11/21 A1 Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman

3/13 A1 Beethoven Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn 4/10 A1 Muti Conducts Rossini

5/8 A1 Honeck Conducts Mahler & Bruckner 9

10/24 A2 Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto 2/13 A2 Thibaudet & The Mermaid 2/27 A2 Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1 4/24 A2 Glover, Chen & the CSO 6/19 A2 Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9

B1-2 4-Concert Selection

9/19 B1 Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn

10/31 B1 Brahms Requiem

3/6 B1 Bicket, Weiss & Bach

5/15 B1 Mäkelä, Batiashvili & Sibelius 1

10/17 B2 Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations 12/12 B2 Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman 4/3 B2 Jordan, Hadelich & Tchaikovsky 4 6/5 B2 Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen

C1-2 5-Concert Selection

10/3 C1 Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9 12/19 C1 Handel’s Messiah 2/6 C1 Rana Plays Tchaikovsky 3/20 C1 A Little Night Music 5/22 C1 Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo

11/7 C2 Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita 12/5 C2 Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8 2/20 C2 Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby 4/17 C2 Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7 6/12 C2 Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2

Sundays at 3:00

A 10-Concert Package

Includes A1+A2

A Sunday series is the perfect way to end your busy weekend. Immerse yourself in rich, timeless favorites by Beethoven, Mahler and Tchaikovsky, as well as infrequently heard gems by Elgar, Nielsen and Glass.

A1-2 5-Concert Selection

10/4 A1 Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9 11/8 A1 Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita 2/21 A1 Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby 5/16 A1 Mäkelä, Batiashvili & Sibelius 1 6/6 A1 Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen

10/25 A2 Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto 2/7 A2 Rana Plays Tchaikovsky 3/14 A2 Beethoven Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn 4/18 A2 Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7 6/20 A2 Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9

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A curated subscription is perfect if you …

• Love your seats and want to keep them for every concert, year after year.

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Create your own subscription if you …

• Want to explore different days of the week or seating sections for each concert.

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*Tickets to priority access concerts are currently only available to subscribers. Learn more at cso.org/rewards

Enhance your concert experience

Dine at the Thomas Club

Located on the ninth floor of Symphony Center, The Richard & Helen Thomas Club provides an enchanting dining experience with spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Open on select concert dates, the club invites ticket holders to enjoy a seasonal prix fixe menu in an elegant, tranquil setting before performances.

Sound Bites: preorder meals for pickup

Preorder a meal to enjoy before your concert with Sound Bites. Select from a menu of handcrafted sandwiches, salads and various snacks, and your order will be ready for pickup at the Bass Bar in the Rotunda of Symphony Center.

View menus, make a reservation and learn more at cso.org/dining

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• 15% savings on additional concert tickets and Symphony Store purchases.

• Convenient, interest-free payment plans with no additional fees.

• Exclusive parking rates at nearby garages. Visit cso.org/transit for more options, including the special round-trip North Shore Shuttle service for Friday matinees.

• Unique subscriber-only offers, presales and events, including the opportunity to order tickets for priority access concerts and CSO summer concerts at the Ravinia Festival before the general public.*

Classical Prices & Seats

The best way to experience the season is to subscribe. Save up to 30% with a curated package.

Curated Package Prices

Subscription orders are subject to a $25 fee. All printed prices are valid through June 30, 2026, and are subject to change based on demand after that date. Seating is subject to availability at the time of sale. Box Level seating will transition to assigned seating during the 2026/27 Season, and multiple price points are now available. Terrace subscription seats may be relocated if a concert involves a screen or chorus. All artists, dates and times are subject to change. Published on April 1, 2026.

Beethoven: The Eternal Original

Two hundred years later, musicians and audiences still marvel at the brilliance, power and depth of Beethoven’s music. From the combined forces of orchestra and chorus to the intimacy of a sonata, every form he touched was transformed — synthesizing all that came before and shaping everything that followed.

This season, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra explores Beethoven’s enduring impact through performances of his iconic overtures, Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 and the monumental Ninth Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Lang Lang leads three special evenings devoted to the complete piano concertos, and recital programs highlight remarkable works for piano and violin with today’s most revered interpreters.

Rediscover what makes Beethoven the eternal original. Visit cso.org/Beethoven for more details.

NOV 1 PIANO

Bruce Liu

NOV 5-8 CSO Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita

NOV 22 CHAMBER MUSIC

Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens

JAN 10 PIANO

Rudolf Buchbinder

FEB 4-7 CSO Rana Plays Tchaikovsky

FEB 19-21 CSO

Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby

MAR 11-14 CSO

Beethoven Violin

Concerto & Mendelssohn

MAR 21 PIANO

Leif Ove Andsnes

MAR 24-27

Lang Lang Plays the Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos*

APR 25 PIANO

Evgeny Kissin

MAY 18 CHAMBER MUSIC

“

Beethoven broke all the rules, and turned out pieces of breathtaking rightness.”

LEONARD BERNSTEIN

Kissin, Vengerov & Capuçon

JUNE 17-20 CSO

Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9*

*Priority Access Concert. Tickets are currently only available to subscribers.

Save 15% when you create your own subscription of all three programs featuring Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

2026/27 CSO Artist-in-Residence

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Elegance. Brilliance. Imagination.

Renowned for his dazzling technique, effortless charm and singular interpretive voice, Jean-Yves Thibaudet has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest pianists. He is equally celebrated for his wide-ranging interests beyond the classical world, including numerous collaborations in film, fashion and visual art. This season, he brings his distinctive blend of virtuosity and vision to the role of CSO Artist-inResidence, offering performances that showcase his remarkable range and expressive power.

Outside the concert hall, Thibaudet will engage with audiences through community and educational events, offering meaningful opportunities to hear from and interact with the artist.

OCT 18 CHAMBER MUSIC Thibaudet, Batiashvili & Capuçon

FEB 11-13 CSO Thibaudet & The Mermaid

MAY 24

Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?

CSO at the Movies

Relive the stories you love, now elevated by the power of this world-class orchestra. Big Screen. Bigger Sound.

November

How to Train Your Dragon 2

27 FRI 7:30 MOVIES A

28 SAT 7:30

29 SUN 3:00

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Nicholas Buc conductor

When Hiccup and Toothless discover a secret ice cave with wild dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider, they find themselves in an epic battle to save the future of man and dragons! Experience the spectacular sequel presented in HD, with John Powell’s score performed live to picture by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

© 2014 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

December Elf

11 FRI 7:30

12 SAT 1:30

13 SUN 3:00

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Justin Freer conductor

Buddy the elf travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. Now experience this holiday adventure and John Debney’s delightful score live with members of the CSO.

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.

January

West Side Story

29 FRI 7:30 MOVIES A

30 SAT 7:30

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

David Newman conductor

Watch this iconic film, winner of ten Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying score live, while the original, remastered film is shown in glorious high definition on the big screen with the vocals and dialogue intact.

June

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

25 FRI 7:30 MOVIES A

26 SAT 7:30

27 SUN 3:00

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Sarah Hicks conductor

After the destruction of the Death Star, Darth Vader pursues Luke Skywalker, who is studying the ways of the Force with Jedi Master Yoda. Enter the Star Wars universe with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert, featuring John Williams’ Grammywinning score live to the film.

© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with Warner/Chappell Music.

Two ways to subscribe and

save

Create Your Own Subscription

Build a season that fits you. Choose three or more movie concerts — or mix films with other performances — select your dates and seats, and save 15%.

Curated Package

Choose the MOVIES A curated package to enjoy all included movie concerts from the same seats each time, with the best savings. Subscribe and save 30%.

CSO for Kids

One meaningful moment can spark a lifelong love of classical music.

Once Upon a Symphony®

Perfect for ages 3-5

Saturdays at 10:00 & 11:45

Produced and presented in partnership with Chicago Children’s Theatre

Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center LIMITED AVAILABILTY

Stone Soup

DEC 5 | JAN 30 | FEB 13

A hungry traveler finds a way to persuade the townspeople to share their food with him. In this musical adaptation of the classic tale, learn how the act of sharing fosters joy and celebration.

The Elves and the Shoemaker

MAR 20 | APR 10 | APR 24

A poor shoemaker and his wife receive magical help from elves who secretly finish their shoes during the night. Discover this fable about the joy that comes from giving — and receiving — kindness and generosity.

Family Matinees

Perfect for ages 5-12

Saturdays at 11:00 FAMILY AM & 12:45 FAMILY PM

Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center

Symphonic Superheroes

NOV 21

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Alastair Willis conductor

Move over Superman, Wonder Woman and other caped crusaders! In this captivating program, you’ll discover the superhero qualities of a symphony orchestra.

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

MAR 6

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conductor

The Second City guest artists

Benjamin Britten’s piece is the ultimate introduction to the instruments of an orchestra. Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser leads the CSO in this iconic and delightful score, with special guest artists from The Second City adding their signature wit and spontaneity to this imaginative musical adventure.

Einstein’s Imagination

MAY 15

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Tania Miller conductor

Discover the imaginative world of Albert Einstein and find out how the principles of physics determine a musical performance. Conductor Tania Miller leads members of the CSO in this vibrant, thought-provoking program.

Subscribe to either the AM or PM Family Matinees Curated Package and save up to 33%

Featured Concerts with the CSO

Add any concert to your subscription and save 15%

October

Symphony Ball with Klaus Mäkelä

10 SAT 6:30

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Klaus Mäkelä conductor

Thomas Hampson baritone

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Donald Palumbo chorus director

STRAVINSKY Petrushka

WALTON Belshazzar’s Feast

November

Yo-Yo Ma & the CSO

11 WED 7:30

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Carlos Miguel Prieto conductor

Yo-Yo Ma cello

GINASTERA Four Dances from Estancia

SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto No. 1

RACHMANINOV Symphonic Dances

Celebrate the 2026/27 Season in grand fashion, with a voyage to the opulent Babylon of Walton’s dramatic cantata, Belshazzar’s Feast. The musical celebration begins with Stravinsky’s dazzling tale of puppets springing to life.

Enhance your concert experience with a Symphony Ball gala package, including a private preconcert reception for patrons and sponsors in Forte event space and postconcert dinner and celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. For more information, please email symphonyball@cso.org or call 312-294-3185.

This benefit event helps the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association strengthen Chicago’s cultural fabric and reach countless new audiences each year. A

For all the rich dimensions of Yo-Yo Ma’s storied career, Shostakovich’s concerto holds a special place. Experience the work’s searing emotional canvas, along with Rachmaninov’s plush and glittering dance suite.

Andrew Bird & the CSO

13 FRI 7:30

14 SAT 7:30

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Andrew Bird violin and vocals Jacomo Bairos conductor

Grammy-nominated violinist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird makes his CSO debut with his acclaimed record The Mysterious Production of Eggs Featuring a full album performance with orchestral arrangements, the concert caps off with a suite of fan-favorite tunes from his near 30-year repertoire.

December

Merry, Merry Chicago!

18 FRI 7:30

19 SAT 1:00

20 SUN 1:00 & 4:30

21 MON 7:30

22 TUE 7:30

23 WED 1:00

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Thomas Wilkins conductor

Mandy Gonzalez vocals

Thomas Wilkins leads members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Broadway favorite Mandy Gonzalez in beloved carols, seasonal songs and festive surprises — all in the lavishly decorated Orchestra Hall.

March

Lang Lang Plays the Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Paavo Järvi conductor

Lang Lang piano

Beethoven Piano Concertos 1 & 4

24 WED 7:30

BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4

PRIORITY ACCESS CONCERTS*

One of classical music’s most celebrated ambassadors, Lang Lang kicks off this thrilling trio of programs with the First Piano Concerto — the daring twists of which pushed the limits of Classical convention — and the searching and sublime Fourth Piano Concerto.

Beethoven Piano Concertos 2 & 3

26 FRI 1:30

BEETHOVEN Consecration of the House Overture

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3

The second installment treats listeners to the delightfully droll Second Piano Concerto, which Beethoven wrote for his public debut concert in Vienna, and the stormy and rapturous Third, with its nods to revolutionary-era marches.

Beethoven Emperor Concerto

27 SAT 7:30

BEETHOVEN Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor)

Lang Lang, Paavo Järvi and the CSO conclude their Beethoven cycle with the Emperor Concerto, considered one of the greatest piano concertos ever written. The Orchestra shines in Beethoven’s irrepressible Fourth Symphony.

Hear all five Beethoven piano concertos with the LANG LANG package to enjoy the best savings and seating priority.

*Tickets to priority access concerts are currently only available to subscribers.

May

Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?

24 MON 7:30

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Keith Lockhart conductor

Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano

Michael Feinstein piano and vocals

CSO Artist-in-Residence Jean-Yves Thibaudet teams up with pianist, singer and American songbook expert Michael Feinstein in an extraordinary evening that celebrates George Gershwin and his musical universe.

This performance is part of a fundraising event presented in partnership by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and the League of the CSOA. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s artistic, educational and community engagement programs in Chicago and around the globe.

Make an Impact

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization that relies on donor support to fulfill its mission of enriching, inspiring and transforming lives through music, community engagement and education — locally, nationally and internationally.

Ticket sales only go so far; your support makes a crucial difference and connects you to meaningful experiences curated specifically for donors.

When you make a tax-deductible gift with your subscription, you ensure the success and longevity of:

• The concerts and activities of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

• Hosting guest artists and ensembles of all kinds through the Symphony Center Presents series

• The music education and community engagement initiatives of the Negaunee Music Institute at the CSO, including CSO for Kids and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago

• And so much more!

Gifts of all levels are essential in maintaining the high-quality work we do both in and outside Symphony Center.

Thank you for your support of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.

Our Sponsors

Generous support for CSO concerts, guest artists and guest conductors has been provided by the Juli Plant Grainger Fund for Artistic Excellence and the Grainger Fund for Excellence

Generous support for the Chicago Symphony Chorus has been provided by The Grainger Foundation