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This was my first time at the Chicago Symphony Center for a CSO + choir concert, I had been here within the past year for a high school performance. I got overwhelmed with emotion walking in because it had been on my "to do" list for so long to see their holiday show that I cried. My tears quickly dried as we tried to navigate the very packed entrance hall to get to our seats. I appreciated the fact that they were offering area groups to showcase their talents, but having a choir sing in front of the bar in front of the hall doors created quite the clusterfudge. The seats were good and because the tickets were purchased through a non-profit, we didn't know what they were going to be until we picked them up at the box office. Our party of 6 was seated in 2 rows--2 in one row and 4 in the row behind. Everyone was okay with that, because you are there to hear the music, anyways. My dad likes it when I am seated behind him because there is not a stranger coughing on him. The 2 hours FLEW by! There was a sing along (the lyrics were in the program if you needed them), there was a surprise guest (Betcha cannot guess who came from the North Pole!), and the program was absolutely beautiful. I hadn't seen it before due to how expensive the tickets could be, but like I said, these were purchased through a non-profit and well worth the trip. It was one of the most magical starts to any of the holiday seasons that I have experienced!
Beautiful hall! Orchestra sounded fantastic and everyone was super engaged with the music! Seats are a tad small, and make sure you ask for drink (if in a can) can be migrated to a cup to take inside!
Another fantastic performance at the CSO! Riccardo Muti (one of the most renowned conductors globally) is wonderful to watch: his energy is infectious. I've also enjoyed performances where Klaus Mäkelä was the conductor. On weekday afternoons the CSO often has smaller performances with string quartets. Tickets are reasonable, and it is an intimate experience where you can actually sit on the main stage. The musicians often talk to the audience about the pieces they are playing, and performances tend to be shorter. Highly, highly recommend a trip to the CSO if you're a long-time resident or even a casual tourist.
Allowed to tour this symphony center as apart of Choose Chicago Architecture Weekend. The facility is simply beautiful. I was very fortunate to accidentally get on a private tour. Someone who works there was showing their family around and unbeknownst to me I entered a door being held open and stumbled upon an exclusive tour. By the time I realized that this wasn't the regular tour, I was on stage. It was so cool. I was grateful to see backstage and be on the stage. I will checking out a performance in 2025 and I cannot wait to hear the music fill up this space. Check this place out if you want to hear some live music.
If you are looking for a unique experience , see the world renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra , CSO, from the gray Terrace seating which puts you in the action. If you're not concerned about seeing every orchestra member you will get the unique view of seeing the concert almost directly above the orchestra! There is something neat about seeing the audience from their vantage point . If the chorus is playing that night , you may get to mingle during intermission or after since you're on the same level! Same price as balcony seats ! ( we found last minute tickets for $75) #music #orchestra #chicago
We received tickets last minute to attend had the opportunity to sit on the stage or the balcony. I opted to sit on stage left and had a great view of the winter quartet who performed with the Chamber music series. I loved the intimate environment and how the stage was decorated with festive giant wreaths and red bows.
If you ever have a chance to attend a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - gooooo! There is absolutely not one bad seat in Symphony Center, and I can confirm that because I sat in what may be considered some of the worst seats (the highest up). However, the layout of the Orchestra Hall is so well laid out that even in the nosebleed sections, you can see and hear everything perfectly! We saw John Williams conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and it was a life changing experience. The orchestra played John's music to a tee (of course!) - it felt like we were watching him record the original scores. I am not ashamed to say I may have shed a few tears, it was so beautiful and well done. Watch their schedule and if you ever see that a concert or conductor you love will be there - walk, run, fly, do whatever you have to do and get there. I guarantee you won't regret it!
Last week I attended the spectacular "Soundpost: Perception, a classical music and fashion experience" at the Chicago Symphony Center! Daughter received a media invite from the Chicago Fashion Coalition, and I was happy to be her plus one guest. The event was CFC's collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's young professionals' network, the Overture Council, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra of Chicago, aiming to "shatter generational stereotypes and celebrate the distinctive fusion of fashion and music in Chicago". I had been to the Chicago Symphony Center many times years ago, and enjoyed every performance of the CSO. We had also attended special performances such as Yo Yo Ma's "Silk Road" ensemble. This time was unique and fun. The vibes were very lively and festive. Olivia was our host and warmly led us to the media seating in the lower balcony. I always sat in the orchestra level and did not realize that front row seats in the lower balcony got the best view of the entire stage, and the magnificent hall. This event had all the audience sitting on the stage and the terrace above(behind) the stage to have an immersive experience. The models would walk on the walkway with the string quartet musicians on both sides. The entire "normal" audience seating in the hall was intentionally left empty. I believed we got the best view of the show! Interestingly, ABC7Chicago's camera crew was in our section, just more to the side of the balcony. I like many genres of music, and classical music was one of them. That fascinating night, a unique fashion show featuring six designers and their group of models paired with beautiful classical music by the quartet musicians from the Civic Orchestra was just mesmerizing! The show ran from 8:00 to 10:00 PM (with a 20-minute intermission) and I enjoyed every minute of it! One fun fact was that the suggested dress code was Perceptual Elegance, and guests were encouraged to "come dressed to impress"! There was a wide range of fashion in the lounge during reception and in the audience on stage, and that made people watching very fun and enjoyable as well! The "Perception" experience attempted to invoke a renewed perspective on the world itself from the audience was quite an ambitious goal to achieve. However, I definitely left with a new appreciation for fashion, and an awakening of the love that I had for classical music! (I also shared this review on Chicago Fashion Coalition as this event was a collaboration)
I went here a few nights ago for their show that they do with the Joffrey Ballet, this was the second time they collaborated since 2019. It was a 2 hour show, the first half was purely the CSO. The second half was the CSO with the ballet performers. Within the second half there was two different ballet performances, one was very eccentric which I was surprised by. The second dance included 5 dancers showcasing the ordinary struggles of a family, it was cute and heart touching. The venue is very beautiful and has nice acoustics. I sat in the main section, right side and was happy with my view.
Saw an incredible show here in box seats. It's a wonderful experience that I cannot recommend. The acoustics in the space are otherworldly! It reminded me of how much I missed live music, and how talented people are. These people must rehearse and rehearse with so much dedication.
Always an excellent concert and building, but I came here to write about the kids programming (children's progamming) called Once Upon A Symphony. We brought our daughter in Kinder and now in First grade, the program is advertised preK and K, and I think thats right. She really loves them as a non-musical person and it helps spur her interest. Great costumes and storytelling. Id recommend for ages 3-7 even if they say 3-5, my dd is just at the right age (6.5) to 100% enjoy it beyond "exposure" at a younger age. Well done all
Absolutely incredible experience. My husband and I came to see Daniil Trifonov perform with the CSO and even he was left in awe (and has very limited knowledge/experience with classical music). Not a bad seat in the house. We sat on the farthest right side of the upper balcony and the views and sounds were more than what I had hoped for. The ushers were so incredibly kind and helpful. Parking was also super convenient as the Grant Park South garage leads right up to the front doors of the orchestra hall. While the tickets can be a little more on the expensive side, they are WELL worth the money to see such a world-class group of talented musicians and we left feeling honored to have seen them play. Both the Stravinsky and Rachmaninov sections were mesmerizing and it would be hard to choose which was a favorite. Looking forward to attending more performances in the future!
My husband took me here for my first show last week and we had so much fun. We went for their merry, merry Christmas show - it was super lively and festive and we loved that we recognized a bunch of the songs. The music was captivating and the holiday singalong got everyone in a fun mood. The hall is beautiful and you can get a great view of the stage from anywhere in the room. Can't wait to go back!
2 months ago
My husband and I watched Conrad Tao's piano concert on 6/7 at Chicago Symphony Center. It was a 3pm Sunday afternoon show. The venue is beautiful and has amazing acoustics. The seats in the orchestra section were comfortable. The ushers were also super friendly and helpful. A unique feature of the performance space is the seating behind the performers, which I'd never seen before. If we ever are fortunate to see another concert here, I would love to experience what sitting in terrace seats is like. read more
4 months ago
I attended The Music of SQUARE ENIX - Magic, Memories, and Melodies symphonic concert here (great show!!). Venue has decent acoustics; I sat in row J on the main floor and the sound was slightly piercing at times. Sit a few rows back and you'll be golden. In terms of seat comfort I'd say not too shabby at all; cushiony, not rigidly shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors, and had no fuss when it comes to leg room compared to other venues that I've been to. Staff team was excellent!!! Every staff member I communicated with was super friendly and patient. :) read more
It was my first time coming here. The Chicago Symphony Center is beautiful. The ushers were pleasant and helpful in finding our seats. Like others have said, the seats are uncomfortable and cramped especially if you're a bigger or taller person. We went to see Joe Hisaishi, a Japanese composer and music director. The songs were great. I noticed that in the past reviews, they used a jumbo screen and I was wondering why it was missing from Joe's performance. You can find overpriced parking nearby at any of the garages or you can look on Spot Hero to save some money. There is also the train option. We went on a Thursday night and it was extremely difficult to find an Uber or a Lyft after the performance. I was a bit disappointed and frustrated because I did not wait this long in Vegas, Orlando, or DC to name a few. Chicago's rideshare needs to up their game. read more
This was my first time at the Chicago Symphony Center for a CSO + choir concert, I had been here within the past year for a high school performance. I got overwhelmed with emotion walking in because it had been on my "to do" list for so long to see their holiday show that I cried. My tears quickly dried as we tried to navigate the very packed entrance hall to get to our seats. I appreciated the fact that they were offering area groups to showcase their talents, but having a choir sing in front of the bar in front of the hall doors created quite the clusterfudge. The seats were good and because the tickets were purchased through a non-profit, we didn't know what they were going to be until we picked them up at the box office. Our party of 6 was seated in 2 rows--2 in one row and 4 in the row behind. Everyone was okay with that, because you are there to hear the music, anyways. My dad likes it when I am seated behind him because there is not a stranger coughing on him. The 2 hours FLEW by! There was a sing along (the lyrics were in the program if you needed them), there was a surprise guest (Betcha cannot guess who came from the North Pole!), and the program was absolutely beautiful. I hadn't seen it before due to how expensive the tickets could be, but like I said, these were purchased through a non-profit and well worth the trip. It was one of the most magical starts to any of the holiday seasons that I have experienced! read more
9 months ago
Beautiful hall! Orchestra sounded fantastic and everyone was super engaged with the music! Seats are a tad small, and make sure you ask for drink (if in a can) can be migrated to a cup to take inside! read more
5 months ago
Another fantastic performance at the CSO! Riccardo Muti (one of the most renowned conductors globally) is wonderful to watch: his energy is infectious. I've also enjoyed performances where Klaus Mäkelä was the conductor. On weekday afternoons the CSO often has smaller performances with string quartets. Tickets are reasonable, and it is an intimate experience where you can actually sit on the main stage. The musicians often talk to the audience about the pieces they are playing, and performances tend to be shorter. Highly, highly recommend a trip to the CSO if you're a long-time resident or even a casual tourist. read more
2 years ago
Allowed to tour this symphony center as apart of Choose Chicago Architecture Weekend. The facility is simply beautiful. I was very fortunate to accidentally get on a private tour. Someone who works there was showing their family around and unbeknownst to me I entered a door being held open and stumbled upon an exclusive tour. By the time I realized that this wasn't the regular tour, I was on stage. It was so cool. I was grateful to see backstage and be on the stage. I will checking out a performance in 2025 and I cannot wait to hear the music fill up this space. Check this place out if you want to hear some live music. read more
If you are looking for a unique experience , see the world renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra , CSO, from the gray Terrace seating which puts you in the action. If you're not concerned about seeing every orchestra member you will get the unique view of seeing the concert almost directly above the orchestra! There is something neat about seeing the audience from their vantage point . If the chorus is playing that night , you may get to mingle during intermission or after since you're on the same level! Same price as balcony seats ! ( we found last minute tickets for $75) #music #orchestra #chicago read more
2 years ago
We received tickets last minute to attend had the opportunity to sit on the stage or the balcony. I opted to sit on stage left and had a great view of the winter quartet who performed with the Chamber music series. I loved the intimate environment and how the stage was decorated with festive giant wreaths and red bows. read more
If you ever have a chance to attend a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra - gooooo! There is absolutely not one bad seat in Symphony Center, and I can confirm that because I sat in what may be considered some of the worst seats (the highest up). However, the layout of the Orchestra Hall is so well laid out that even in the nosebleed sections, you can see and hear everything perfectly! We saw John Williams conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and it was a life changing experience. The orchestra played John's music to a tee (of course!) - it felt like we were watching him record the original scores. I am not ashamed to say I may have shed a few tears, it was so beautiful and well done. Watch their schedule and if you ever see that a concert or conductor you love will be there - walk, run, fly, do whatever you have to do and get there. I guarantee you won't regret it! read more
Last week I attended the spectacular "Soundpost: Perception, a classical music and fashion experience" at the Chicago Symphony Center! Daughter received a media invite from the Chicago Fashion Coalition, and I was happy to be her plus one guest. The event was CFC's collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's young professionals' network, the Overture Council, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra of Chicago, aiming to "shatter generational stereotypes and celebrate the distinctive fusion of fashion and music in Chicago". I had been to the Chicago Symphony Center many times years ago, and enjoyed every performance of the CSO. We had also attended special performances such as Yo Yo Ma's "Silk Road" ensemble. This time was unique and fun. The vibes were very lively and festive. Olivia was our host and warmly led us to the media seating in the lower balcony. I always sat in the orchestra level and did not realize that front row seats in the lower balcony got the best view of the entire stage, and the magnificent hall. This event had all the audience sitting on the stage and the terrace above(behind) the stage to have an immersive experience. The models would walk on the walkway with the string quartet musicians on both sides. The entire "normal" audience seating in the hall was intentionally left empty. I believed we got the best view of the show! Interestingly, ABC7Chicago's camera crew was in our section, just more to the side of the balcony. I like many genres of music, and classical music was one of them. That fascinating night, a unique fashion show featuring six designers and their group of models paired with beautiful classical music by the quartet musicians from the Civic Orchestra was just mesmerizing! The show ran from 8:00 to 10:00 PM (with a 20-minute intermission) and I enjoyed every minute of it! One fun fact was that the suggested dress code was Perceptual Elegance, and guests were encouraged to "come dressed to impress"! There was a wide range of fashion in the lounge during reception and in the audience on stage, and that made people watching very fun and enjoyable as well! The "Perception" experience attempted to invoke a renewed perspective on the world itself from the audience was quite an ambitious goal to achieve. However, I definitely left with a new appreciation for fashion, and an awakening of the love that I had for classical music! (I also shared this review on Chicago Fashion Coalition as this event was a collaboration) read more
I went here a few nights ago for their show that they do with the Joffrey Ballet, this was the second time they collaborated since 2019. It was a 2 hour show, the first half was purely the CSO. The second half was the CSO with the ballet performers. Within the second half there was two different ballet performances, one was very eccentric which I was surprised by. The second dance included 5 dancers showcasing the ordinary struggles of a family, it was cute and heart touching. The venue is very beautiful and has nice acoustics. I sat in the main section, right side and was happy with my view. read more
Saw an incredible show here in box seats. It's a wonderful experience that I cannot recommend. The acoustics in the space are otherworldly! It reminded me of how much I missed live music, and how talented people are. These people must rehearse and rehearse with so much dedication. read more
2 years ago
Always an excellent concert and building, but I came here to write about the kids programming (children's progamming) called Once Upon A Symphony. We brought our daughter in Kinder and now in First grade, the program is advertised preK and K, and I think thats right. She really loves them as a non-musical person and it helps spur her interest. Great costumes and storytelling. Id recommend for ages 3-7 even if they say 3-5, my dd is just at the right age (6.5) to 100% enjoy it beyond "exposure" at a younger age. Well done all read more
Absolutely incredible experience. My husband and I came to see Daniil Trifonov perform with the CSO and even he was left in awe (and has very limited knowledge/experience with classical music). Not a bad seat in the house. We sat on the farthest right side of the upper balcony and the views and sounds were more than what I had hoped for. The ushers were so incredibly kind and helpful. Parking was also super convenient as the Grant Park South garage leads right up to the front doors of the orchestra hall. While the tickets can be a little more on the expensive side, they are WELL worth the money to see such a world-class group of talented musicians and we left feeling honored to have seen them play. Both the Stravinsky and Rachmaninov sections were mesmerizing and it would be hard to choose which was a favorite. Looking forward to attending more performances in the future! read more
3 years ago
My husband took me here for my first show last week and we had so much fun. We went for their merry, merry Christmas show - it was super lively and festive and we loved that we recognized a bunch of the songs. The music was captivating and the holiday singalong got everyone in a fun mood. The hall is beautiful and you can get a great view of the stage from anywhere in the room. Can't wait to go back! read more
Had my first CSO at the movies experience watching Jurassic Park. So phenomenal!!! The whole experience was wonderful. I cannot wait to see more movies this way! It was family friendly and they had an intermission long enough to grab a drink and a snack (or use the loo). As of 3/27/22, masks were still required the whole time and you did have to show proof of vaccination. In the gallery, steps are steep, if you are fearful of heights, I'd recommend getting seats in a lower area. I highly recommend everyone tries this experience at least once! read more
4 years ago
If you have not gone to a concert or event you are missing out. A must see whether a resident or tourist. Lots of great memories I have of attending here thru the years. It does not matter what kind of music you like you have to experience a classical concert here and I assure you that you will be glad and love this place. read more
Always been a fan of symphonic music but never seen it live. This was my first experience being at a live symphony. As far as I was concerned the music quality exceeded my expectations. It was a wonderful venue and the music was amazing. It was very memorizing to watch the talented musicians all playing in unison. The venue is smaller than I expected but large enough. They do serve beer and wine and cocktails before and at intermission. The lobby is not large and the lines can get long. Overall, I truly enjoyed the symphony and would return. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Beautiful location and in a location that makes it very accessible by public transportation so you don't have to worry about parking. The physical space itself is beautiful, lending itself to great performances. The staff is very friendly and super amazing in helping you get to your seats. Also this was a great space for or Yelp event in 2017 for the cocktail competition. read more
4 years ago
We enjoyed a great concert by Grammy winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves tonight. Our seats were on the lower balcony left in the second row with a terrific view of the stage. These are my favorite seats now. Dianne was in a great mood and reminded the packed audience of her rained out concert at Millennium Park a few years ago after she completed her opening song. The acoustics are excellent in symphony hall. Staff was very helpful. read more
3 years ago
I've been regularly coming to the CSO for a couple of years now to hear world-class artists perform their master craft for the audiences of Chicago. It was such a bummer when everything had to close up due to the pandemic, but I'm incredibly glad things are starting to open and return back to some sense of normalcy, with live performances finally coming back. It's much easier and way more affordable to get tickets to hear Maestro Muti conduct the CSO here in Chicago, compared to when they annually tour around either in Europe or Asia, which is usually always sold out at pretty high prices, illustrating the high demand for their performances around the world. Meanwhile, Orchestra Hall, inside Symphony Center, is a fantastic venue here in Chicago, and it's fun to hear concerts from different areas of the hall -- you'll get a great experience no matter where you sit. While this is the main home of the CSO, a lot of visiting artists come to perform here as well, ranging from jazz legend Herbie Hancock, to folk icon Joan Baez to renowned pianist Murray Perahia, meaning there is no shortage of great music and performances at this venue. Absolutely 100%, highly recommend! read more
A friend of mine called me over the summer and asked if I would join her in a three performance package at the symphony because her husband wouldn't want to go. I agreed easily because I figured that I could always use a bit more culture in my life. Our first performance was of Handel's Messiah. It was truly disappointing. Perhaps it was our seats. We were seated in the gallery. Pretty much nose bleed seats. The sound was not good. The soloists and the choir in particular were not up to par. The soloists sounded tentative and the choir was underwhelming. Usually when I attend the CSO at Ravinia the music has a life of its own. It washes over me and wraps me in its loving embrace. Unfortunately here at Symphony Center I was detached and lonely. Also, being high up in the gallery, the heat rises and we were roasting, making for a very uncomfortable time. We ended up leaving early. Strong suggestion: If you go Symphony Center, go ahead and fork over the big bucks for a really great seat because the cheap seats aren't worth it at any price. read more
INNOVATIVE. DIVERSE. INCLUSIVE YES!! What an incredible experience WE HAD! I am so glad we randomly just stopped by here, and ended up attending the MLK Tribute Concert. It truly was an incredible experience, from the beginning till the end. Everyone was helpful and friendly. The venue is kept very clean. The musician are highly talented and diverse. Perfect location. This was my first time experiencing Sinfonietta and i was impressed, will moslty definitely be back. read more
9 years ago
I actually attended a event here I really never knew about this place beforehand but because of the Yelp event I was able to visit enjoy the Orchestra Hall the architecture It's a really large venue is I understand that holds various musical performances concerts operas and plays as that nature But and also can hold a large amount of people for a party which I was there for the staff was really nice and willing to accommodate request throughout the night I really enjoyed the bathrooms I must say on the lower level they were clean and bright look like and they had put in a lot of work and making sure that the bathrooms we're presentable and ready for the ladies which I really appreciate it bright light where you can check your makeup and check it out fit before you went out I saw that have a coat room and attended and several different floors including of a balcony section and a mezzanine read more
2 years ago
The Chicago symphony is beautiful. Sitting in the seat I couldn't help but let my eyes wander over the filigree walls and chandeliers. I was sitting in the gallery which is little far from the stage and I regretted not bringing binoculars. Ushers help you navigate the symphony and escort you to your seat. However, the gallery is a pretty scary place. Very steep. Almost vertical. Girls do not wear heels. But once you are in your seat it is pretty comfortable. I attended the Corporate Night 2010 with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with the Chicago symphony in the background. The music was great and I could tell from all the musicians taping their feet and batons that they were having fun. I am sure this was a nice change of repertoire. Frankie was great. He performed many of the famous sound picture tracks like Oh What a Night and Big Girls Don't Cry. At one point he allowed this one woman to shake his hand and then there was a frenzy of women getting of their seats and going to shake his hand. Chicago Symphony is a Chicago gem. Don't forget to validate your parking! It is almost half off! And comeback often. read more
12 years ago
This is the name of the series that brings non-Chicago artists to Chicago to play in the Symphony Center. Simple concept. Chicago being Chicago, this includes essentially all of the major musicians (jazz, classical, world) and orchestras of the world on a rotating basis....the equivalent of Carnegie Hall programming in NYC but on a smaller scale. No other program in the city provides such an amazing, diverse, rich opportunity for the great musicians of the world to visit and for us to welcome them and sample the best of what the whole world has to offer. Absolutely one of the best things about Chicago if you like serious music. Transformative. Sometimes the groups make us realize how good we really have it here in Chicago, when you realize that the renowned visitors don't have quite the edge of our home group (Israel Philharmonic for example). PS: with the new app format, Yelp automatically wants to know if they do takeout or deliver. I said yes. They deliver a good show and I take away good memories read more
What a beautiful venue. I had the pleasure to see a Hary Potter that was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was incredible! The experience would be great for anyone, not just fans of the movie or the orchestra. Because the movie was playing while the music was being conducted, you really feel immersed in the event. This would make for a killer gift for anyone that is a fan of music or movies! read more
My avidity toward classical music: unchanging. The baton of a consummate conductor, Mr. Semyon Bychkov, produced such beauty, there were about 3-4 standing ovations. I have been to many, many symphonies, but have never witnessed a sight like this. He passionately wove together the stories, emotions, and statements that the two composers showcased had intended. During several moments of the 3rd movement adagietto, I found myself choking back tears. Fine art never sounded so good. Welcome to CSO, proud home of one of the very best in the world. I had a glorious time listening to a contemporary newcomer and Mahler's 5th on Friday. The hall itself is truly gorgeous and cavernous. Seated near the front on the 6th (yes, SIXTH) floor, I had a perfectly unobstructed view of every orchestra member. Surprisingly, this has got to be due to the incredibly steep grade of the house. Glancing all around, I thought the CSO was fortunate to play in such an opulent and grand center, and I was lucky to get an earful of Mahler under Bychkov's direction. Sad to learn I missed YoYoMa by a week (but got to see him perform @ Davies Hall). Gustav Mahler was born in Bohemia, grew up near Vienna. Flanked by childhood trauma in losing his parents, raised by a grandmother, and left as the eldest son to care for 6 other siblings (the rest perished), he was a Jewish prodigy who struggled and was even homeless on more than one occasion. He even converted to Catholicism to ensure himself a better chance at employment as a conductor. His life experience ostensibly afforded him no dearth of emotion from which to create and emote such complex statements. His 5th symph was very regal with the first few measures of the lone trumpet....but plowed through confusion, anger, loneliness, and yet landed on the side of triumph, celebrating the fullness and resiliency of the human spirit, imbued with hope. His last movement was written as a love gift for his wife, the tender adagietto. I was humbled that I came along for this magnificent journey, endearing myself to Mahler and his complicated life. PS To the poor French hornist in the back row... I felt so badly for you that you could not shake out all the water from your instrument. I cannot imagine the pressure and the awkwardness. I wanted to give you a hug, and crossed my fingers that Mr Bychkov would not be cross with you. ={ PS He's gonna guest conduct in SFCity soon!!! read more
4 years ago
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More info about Chicago Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Ave
Symphony Center
Chicago, IL 60604
The Loop
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Is there a family restroom if I take my 7 year old daughter?
Yes, a family-friendly restroom is available near the Flynn Gallery coatroom in the 6th floor lobby at Symphony Center.
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Chicago Symphony Center - theater - Updated August 2026
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