Chicago Philharmonic Symphonic Season Opens This Sunday

This season the Chicago Philharmonic explores turning points in the lives and careers of major composers. Johannes Brahms, a young genius striving to be counted with Beethoven and Mozart, begin his work with major orchestral writing with his Piano Concerto No. 1. Acclaimed soloist Robert McDonald of the Juilliard and Curtis faculties joins the orchestra on the piano for this work. Schubert wrote his Unfinished Symphony as he was forced to come to terms with his mortality. Wojciech Kilar, on the other hand, began his career as a composer with Little Overture, his first published and first orchestral work.

Polish vocal group the Lira Singers will perform in the foyer before the concert, showcasing some of the Polish Highland music that inspired Kilar's works. Robert McDonald is chair of the piano studies program at the Curtis Institute of Music and a member of the piano faculty at The Juilliard School. He has won top prizes in various international competitions, including the Busoni, Kapell, and Washington competitions and is also known for his collaborations with Isaac Stern, Midori, and other distinguished instrumentalists.

This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and by sponsors Von Maur, the German Consulate General Chicago, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago.

The Chicago Philharmonic is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Founded 26 years ago by principal musicians from the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic has consistently won accolades from music critics and audiences alike. Its symphonic and chamber concerts at locations 2 throughout the Chicago area cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Britten and beyond. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Chicago Philharmonic's mission is to excite, engage, and transform diverse audiences with the beauty and power of great music. Its outreach programs - which connect Chicago-area youth to classical music and provide public performance opportunities for members of the community - play a crucial role in achieving this objective. The Chicago Philharmonic proudly serves as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet, a 21-year associate of the Ravinia Festival, and a new resident company at the Harris Theater.

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