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
Order your group tickets today!
Group benefits
Attractive pricing for every budget
Exclusive access to the best seats
No per-ticket fees (only $25 per order)
Free preconcert conversation at CSO Classical concerts
Personalized service
Tours of Symphony Center
Workshop and meet-and-greet options
Catering and box lunch options
Reception and private dining options for elegant entertaining on site
Some benefits subject to availability
Symphony Center events are ideal for every group occasion
Birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of life
Entertaining business clients
Alumni events
Holiday gatherings
Class and school trips
Family reunions
Ordering is easy
1. Select your concert
2. Estimate your group size
3. Call 312-294-3040, toll-free at 800-223-7114 or email groupsales@cso.org
Season Highlights Sure to Delight
CSO Concerts for the Classical Experience
OCT 1-4
Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9
OCT 8-9
Mäkelä, Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast
NOV 5-8
Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita
DEC 3-5
Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8
DEC 10-12
Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman
FEB 4-7
Rana Plays Tchaikovsky
MAR 4-6
Bicket, Weiss & Bach
APR 15-18
Hrůša Conducts Shostakovich 7
MAY 20-22
Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo
MAY 24
Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?
JUNE 3-6
Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen
Klaus Mäkelä
Mao Fujita
Riccardo Muti
Jakub Hrůša
Lucas & Arthur Jussen
Celebrate the Holidays
NOV 28
Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna
DEC 8
A Chanticleer Christmas
DEC 11-13
Elf in Concert
DEC 15
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass
DEC 17-19
Handel’s Messiah
DEC 18-23
Merry, Merry Chicago!
Amazing Artists, Global Perspectives
OCT 16
Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane
JAN 31
Mitsuko Uchida
FEB 12
Pink Martini
FEB 28
Kodo One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance
APR 4
Lila Downs: Cambias mi Mundo
CSO at the Movies
NOV 27-29
How to Train Your Dragon 2
JAN 29-30
West Side Story
JUNE 25-27
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Vienna Boys Choir
Merry, Merry Chicago!
Mitsuko Uchida
Kodo West Side Story
What is the minimum group size?
Bring a group of 10 or more for personalized service and group benefits.
What is the pricing?
Group ticket prices are available for most concerts and vary based on performance.
When is my payment due?
After seats have been assigned for your group, we request a 15% deposit. The remaining balance of your order is due 60 days prior to the concert date.
Can I change my order?
Yes! Group orders can be adjusted until the time of final payment.
What about handling fees?
A $25 fee will be applied to your group order. No additional fees will be applied.
Will my group be assigned seats when I place an order?
Seats will be assigned starting in July 2026.
Can my group sit together?
We will make every possible effort to seat all group members together, based on seat availability.
Are there any age restrictions for the concerts?
Most concerts are recommended for children at least 8 years of age. CSO for Kids concerts are designed for children ages 5 and up.
Where is Symphony Center?
Symphony Center is located at 220 S. Michigan Ave., across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago. We’re close to incredible hotels, first-rate restaurants and world-famous shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
How do I get my tickets?
We can mail your tickets or send them via email.
What time should my group arrive?
We suggest arriving 45 minutes prior to the start of the concert. Group members should have their tickets readily available.
Is there motorcoach parking?
The closest legal motorcoach parking location is at 420 S. Franklin St. Motorcoach parking is also available at 1200 S. Canal St., 631 W. Kinzie St. and at the Museum Campus.
Is photography allowed at Symphony Center?
Group members are welcome to take photos of their visit to Symphony Center and are encouraged to share them on social media @chicagosymphony. However, photography and video recording are prohibited during the performance.
Can we attend the preconcert conversation?
Yes! Groups are invited to a free lecture in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before CSO Classical performances.
Are there concessions?
Refreshments are available on multiple floors of Symphony Center for most performances.
Is Symphony Center accessible?
We offer a variety of seating options and accommodations and are welcoming to all. For specific information, visit cso.org/accessibility.
What if I have a large bag?
Coat check is available throughout Symphony Center for $2 per item, cash only. Oversized bags must be checked.
Visit cso.org/seats to explore seating charts.
Built in 1904, Orchestra Hall is the historic jewel of Symphony Center. Designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham as a welcoming space for all, it stands today as a testament to the rich architectural and musical legacy of our city. From the Main Floor to the Gallery, we have the perfect seats for your group to experience history.
MAIN FLOOR
Your Symphony Center Experience
Events at Symphony Center
From lobby bars serving delightful refreshments to sit-down dining experiences and options for unforgettable private events, Levy Restaurants and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association are working together to deliver an elevated concert experience. Let us help plan a family-style dinner in our intimate Conductor’s Room, a social or corporate reception in the opulent Grainger Ballroom or a simple box lunch under the skylight of the Rotunda.
Symphony Center has also selected several approved catering services for you to choose from. Each caterer delivers a high standard of service and a variety of excellent cuisines. For additional information and Symphony Center space options, contact Group Sales or visit cso.org/rentals
Shop at the Symphony Store
Located at the Adams Street entrance to Symphony Center, the Symphony Store is open for all CSO and select Symphony Center Presents concerts.
Commemorate your trip to Orchestra Hall with exclusive CSO merchandise: trendy apparel, timeless décor, the stunning annual holiday ornament and little trinkets for the whole group. From classical music merchandise sourced from around the world to kidfriendly books and toys and legendary CSO recordings, the Symphony Store is your one-stop shop for the music lovers in your life. Visit in person or shop online at symphonystore.com
Beethoven: The Eternal Original
This season, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra explores Ludwig van Beethoven's enduring impact through performances of his iconic works for orchestra, piano, violin and cello. Rediscover what makes Beethoven the eternal original.
NOV 1
Bruce Liu
NOV 5-8
Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita
NOV 22
Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens
JAN 10
Rudolf Buchbinder
FEB 4-7
Rana Plays Tchaikovsky
FEB 19-21
Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby
MAR 11-14
Beethoven Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn
MAR 21
Leif Ove Andsnes
MAR 24-27
Lang Lang Plays the Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos
APR 25
Evgeny Kissin
MAY 18
Kissin, Vengerov & Capuçon
JUNE 17-20
Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9
Bruce Liu
Rudolf Buchbinder
Evgeny Kissin
Leif Ove Andsnes
Mao Fujita
Beatrice Rana
Maxim Vengerov
Lang Lang
September
CSO
Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn
SEP 17 | THURSDAY 7:30
SEP 18 | FRIDAY 1:30
SEP 19 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
CSO
Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich
SEP 24 | THURSDAY 7:30
SEP 25 | FRIDAY 1:30
SEP 26 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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
CSO
Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9
OCT 1 | THURSDAY 7:30
OCT 2 | FRIDAY 1:30
OCT 3 | SATURDAY 7:30
OCT 4 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
Klaus Mäkelä
Petr Popelka
Hilary Hahn
Freedom Riders with special guests Kurt Elling & Lizz Wright
OCT 2 | FRIDAY 8:00
Freedom Riders
Sarah Elizabeth Charles vocals
Alfredo Colón alto saxophone
Tomoki Sanders tenor saxophone
Milena Casado trumpet
Carmen Staaf piano
Ben Williams bass
Makaya McCraven drums
Sasha Berliner vibraphone
In the 1960s, Freedom Rider activists challenged racial segregation in the Southern United States. This groundbreaking international jazz collective, joined by esteemed vocalists Kurt Elling and Lizz Wright, offers vital inspiration through music that unites audiences with the energy and spirit of shared humanity.
CSO
Mäkelä, Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast
OCT 8 | THURSDAY 7:30
OCT 9 | FRIDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Thomas Hampson baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Donald Palumbo chorus director
GABRIELI Canzon duodecimi toni
STRAVINSKY Petrushka
GABRIELI 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.
CSO
Symphony Ball with Klaus Mäkelä
OCT 10 | SATURDAY 6:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Thomas Hampson baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Donald Palumbo chorus director
STRAVINSKY Petrushka
WALTON Belshazzar’s Feast
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.
CSO Guerrero Leads Fandangos & Enigma Variations
OCT 15 | THURSDAY 7:30
OCT 16 | FRIDAY 1:30
OCT 17 | SATURDAY 7:30
Giancarlo Guerrero conductor
Anne Akiko Meyers violin
SIERRA Fandangos
MÁRQUEZ Fandango
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.
October
JAZZ
Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves
Celebrate John Coltrane
OCT 16 | FRIDAY 8:00
Branford Marsalis saxophones
Dianne Reeves vocals
The Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves celebrate John Coltrane’s centennial with a one-ofa-kind program that highlights selections from their upcoming album revisiting Coltrane’s seminal 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman.
CHAMBER
Thibaudet, Batiashvili & Capuçon
OCT 18 | SUNDAY 3:00
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano
Lisa Batiashvili violin
Gautier Capuçon cello
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Trio No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 8
DEBUSSY Piano Trio in G Major
DVOŘÁK Piano Trio in F Minor, Op. 65
CSO Artist-in-Residence Jean-Yves Thibaudet and stars Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon explore youthful works by Debussy and Shostakovich paired with Dvořák’s richly dramatic Trio in F Minor.
CSO
Sleeping Beauty & Dvořák Cello Concerto
OCT 22 | THURSDAY 7:30
OCT 23 | FRIDAY 7:30 Wheaton College
OCT 24 | SATURDAY 7:30
OCT 25 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
Branford Marsalis
Dianne Reeves
Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Lisa Batiashvili
Gautier Capuçon
CSO
Brahms Requiem
OCT 29 | THURSDAY 7:30
OCT 30 | FRIDAY 1:30
OCT 31 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider conductor
Louise Alder soprano
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
PIANO
Bruce Liu
NOV 1 | SUNDAY 3:00
“
The CSO is a must-do! The performances are legendary and always a great experience. Orchestra Hall is amazing and every seat is phenomenal.”
Good News Tour and Travel
LIGETI Fanfares from Etudes, Book I
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight)
CHOPIN Two Nocturnes, Op. 27
RAVEL Alborada del gracioso from Miroirs
DEBUSSY Rêverie
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 (Waldstein)
MOMPOU Glossa sobre Au clair de la lune
ALBÉNIZ El puerto from Iberia, Book I
LISZT Rhapsodie espagnole
Ever since his meteoric rise at the 2021 International Chopin Competition, Bruce Liu has roused audiences with performances that balance breathtaking power and poetic refinement. Don’t miss his spellbinding return to Chicago.
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider
Bruce Liu
November
CSO
Beethoven 5 & Mao Fujita
NOV 5 | THURSDAY 7:30
NOV 6 | FRIDAY 1:30
NOV 7 | SATURDAY 7:30
NOV 8 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Marek Janowski conductor
Mao Fujita piano
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.
CSO
Yo-Yo Ma & the CSO
NOV 11 | WEDNESDAY 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
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.
CSO
Andrew Bird & the CSO
NOV 13 | FRIDAY 7:30
NOV 14 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Bird violin and vocals
Jacomo Bairos conductor
Grammy-nominated violinist, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist 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.
Marek Janowski
Mao Fujita
Yo-Yo Ma
Andrew Bird
Jaap van Zweden & Vadim Gluzman
NOV 19 | THURSDAY 7:30
NOV 20 | FRIDAY 7:30
NOV 21 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden conductor
Vadim Gluzman violin
WOLFE Liberty Bell
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.
FAMILY
PERFECT FOR AGES 5-12
Symphonic Superheroes
NOV 21 | SATURDAY 11:00 & 12:45
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.
CHAMBER
Nemanja Radulović & Double Sens
NOV 22 | SUNDAY 3:00
Nemanja Radulović violin
Double Sens
BEETHOVEN (arr. Radulović) Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 (Kreutzer)
BACH Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
BACH Concerto for Violin in D Minor, BWV 1052R
Sparks fly when Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović leads his chamber orchestra, Double Sens, in this beguiling program of Bach and Beethoven.
Jaap van Zweden
Vadim Gluzman
Nemanja Radulović
November
MOVIES
How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert
NOV 27 | FRIDAY 7:30
NOV 28 | SATURDAY 7:30
NOV 29 | SUNDAY 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 thrilling score performed live to picture by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Christmas in Vienna spotlights the illustrious Vienna Boys Choir in Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and holiday carols.
December
CSO
Muti, Welter & Dvořák 8
DEC 3 | THURSDAY 7:30 DEC 4 | FRIDAY 7:30
DEC 5 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
Vienna Boys Choir
Riccardo Muti
PIANO
Lukas Sternath
DEC 6 | SUNDAY 3:00
“
We love our annual fall trip to the CSO. The preconcert lecture adds to our enjoyment of the concerts even more. Many students have never heard the CSO live and talk excitedly about their experience all year.”
Univeristy of Illinois Campus Honors Program
SCHUBERT (trans. Liszt) Selected Songs
SCHUBERT Wanderer Fantasy
LISZT Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième année, Italie
Lukas Sternath is the new sound of Vienna, making his eagerly awaited U.S. and North American debut at Symphony Center with Schubert’s formidable Wanderer Fantasy and Liszt’s evocative renderings of Italian art and poetry.
HOLIDAY
A Chanticleer Christmas
DEC 8 | TUESDAY 7:30
It wouldn’t be the holidays without Chanticleer at Orchestra Hall. The multiple Grammy Award-winning men’s chorus presents an evening of timeless carols, popular Christmas songs and festive spirituals.
CSO
Postcard from Vienna: Muti & Bronfman
DEC 10 | THURSDAY 7:30
DEC 11 | FRIDAY 1:30
DEC 12 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
Lukas Sternath
Chanticleer
Yefim Bronfman
December
MOVIES
Elf in Concert
DEC 11 | FRIDAY 7:30
DEC 12 | SATURDAY 1:30
DEC 13 | SUNDAY 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.
Celebrated worldwide for its brilliance, finesse and gleaming power, the CSO brass section offers a showcase of sparkling arrangements and original works for brass.
Presented in collaboration with the Midwest Clinic, International Band and Orchestra Conference
CSO
Handel’s Messiah
DEC 17 | THURSDAY 7:30
DEC 18 | FRIDAY 1:30
DEC 19 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Masaaki Suzuki conductor
Sherezade Panthaki soprano
Hugh Cutting countertenor
Andrew Haji tenor
Paul Max Tipton bass-baritone
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.
Michael Mulcahy
Order your group tickets now for the best seats and pricing.
HOLIDAY
Merry, Merry Chicago!
DEC 18 | FRIDAY 7:30
DEC 19 | SATURDAY 1:00
DEC 20 | SUNDAY 1:00 & 4:30
DEC 21 | MONDAY 7:30
DEC 22 | TUESDAY 7:30
DEC 23 | WEDNESDAY 1:00
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Wilkins conductor Mandy Gonzalez vocals
Join us for our annual holiday spectacular! Thomas Wilkins leads members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Broadway favorite Mandy Gonzalez for beloved carols, seasonal songs and festive surprises. Featuring joyous preconcert and intermission entertainment throughout the lavishly decorated Symphony Center, there’s no better place to enjoy holiday traditions.
Gonzalez
Mandy
January
PIANO
Rudolf Buchbinder
JAN 10 | SUNDAY 3:00
MOZART Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, maman, K. 265
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 (Appassionata)
SCHUBERT Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960
The eminent Austrian pianist returns to Chicago with music that is especially close to his heart: Beethoven’s emotionally charged Appassionata Sonata, framed by Mozart’s jewel-like variations and Schubert’s final, visionary sonata.
MOVIES
West Side Story Film with Orchestra
JAN 29 | FRIDAY 7:30
JAN 30 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
David Newman conductor
Celebrate the 65th anniversary of this iconic film, winner of 10 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying score, while the original, remastered film is shown in glorious high definition on the big screen with the vocals and dialogue intact.
PIANO
Mitsuko Uchida
JAN 31 | SUNDAY 3:00
HAYDN Variations in F Minor
SCHOENBERG Six Little Piano Pieces
MOZART Rondo in A Minor, K. 511
KURTÁG Márta ligatúrája
SCHUBERT Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959
One of the world’s great pianistic storytellers, Mitsuko Uchida is a longtime favorite of Chicago audiences. For her first Symphony Center solo piano recital since 2018, she brings her peerless insights to Schubert’s A Major Sonata.
Rudolf Buchbinder
West Side Story
Mitsuko Uchida
“
Our experience bringing high school students to Symphony Center is always delightful. Each concert reminds us of how vital it is to gather and share the joy of live music. We look forward to bringing more groups to this beautiful and accessible space.”
New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble
February
CSO
Rana Plays Tchaikovsky
FEB 4 | THURSDAY 7:30
FEB 5 | FRIDAY 7:30 Wheaton College
FEB 6 | SATURDAY 7:30
FEB 7 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.”
JAZZ
Jeff Parker & The New Breed / Isaiah Collier & The Defiance
FEB 5 | FRIDAY 8:00
Jeff Parker guitar
Josh Johnson alto saxophone
Paul Bryan bass
Makaya McCraven drums
Isaiah Collier saxophones
Guitarist Jeff Parker and saxophonist Isaiah Collier embody the modern Chicago sound — music shaped by rhythm, risk and a fearless tradition of innovation.
Beatrice Rana
Jeff Parker
Isaiah Collier
February
CSO
Thibaudet & The Mermaid
FEB 11 | THURSDAY 7:30
FEB 12 | FRIDAY 1:30
FEB 13 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
GLOBAL
Pink Martini
FEB 12 | FRIDAY 8:00
Storm Large vocals
Pink Martini returns with its joyously freewheeling blend of classic pop, big band and Latin music. Joined by powerhouse vocalist Storm Large, the 12-member ensemble captivates listeners with its multilingual array of French, Cuban and Brazilian styles, as well as symphonic music, lounge-y ballads and old Hollywood glamour.
A CSO concert is a key component of any Chicago itinerary. Everyone raves about the incredible performances, and teachers know that every visit to Symphony Center will be a memorable and educational experience for their students.”
Tour-Rific of Texas
Fabien Gabel
Pink Martini
JAZZ
John Scofield & Dave Holland
FEB 19 | FRIDAY 8:00
John Scofield guitar
Dave Holland bass
Performing as a duo, John Scofield and Dave Holland bring their infinite talent to a program featuring original compositions and a selection of jazz standards.
CSO
Karina Canellakis & Randall Goosby
FEB 19 | FRIDAY 1:30
FEB 20 | SATURDAY 7:30
FEB 21 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
CSO
Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1
FEB 25 | THURSDAY 7:30
FEB 26 | FRIDAY 1:30
FEB 27 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra 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.
GLOBAL
Kodo One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance
FEB 28 | SUNDAY 3:00
Kodo returns with electrifying taiko drumming in Luminance, honoring Japanese composer Maki Ishii’s Monochrome and featuring new works inspired by the ensemble’s global journeys.
John Scofield & Dave Holland
Randall Goosby
Karina Canellakis
CSO
Bicket, Weiss & Bach
MAR 4 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAR 5 | FRIDAY 7:30
MAR 6 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Harry Bicket conductor
Orion Weiss piano
MOZART Serenata notturna
BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 1
BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 3
PÄRT Summa
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1 (Classical)
Orion Weiss is the soloist in two of Bach’s most celebrated concertos in this era-spanning program that also features gems by Mozart and Pärt, plus Prokofiev’s affectionate parody of Haydn.
FAMILY
PERFECT FOR AGES 5-12
The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
MAR 6 | SATURDAY 11:00 & 12:45
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conductor
The Second City guest artists
BRITTEN The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
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.
CSO
Beethoven Violin
Concerto & Mendelssohn
MAR 11 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAR 12 | FRIDAY 1:30
MAR 13 | SATURDAY 7:30
MAR 14 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Maxim Emelyanychev conductor
Isabelle Faust violin
MENDELSSOHN-HENSEL
Overture in C Major
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.
CSO
A Little Night Music
MAR 18 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAR 19 | FRIDAY 7:30 Wheaton College
MAR 20 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
JAZZ
Stanley Clarke & Hiromi along with PUBLIQuartet
Celebrate the Music of Chick Corea & Beyond
MAR 19 | FRIDAY 8:00
Stanley Clarke bass Hiromi piano and keyboards PUBLIQuartet
Stanley Clarke and Hiromi pay tribute to their friend, the visionary pianist and composer Chick Corea, performing Corea’s works and original pieces inspired by his boundless creativity.
PIANO
Leif Ove Andsnes
MAR 21 | SUNDAY 3:00
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111
Each of Beethoven’s final piano sonatas takes the instrument into uncharted new realms, so when Leif Ove Andsnes takes on all three, it’s truly an event.
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Hiromi & Stanley Clarke
March
Lang Lang Plays the Complete Beethoven Piano Concertos
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Paavo Järvi conductor
Lang Lang piano
CSO Beethoven Piano Concertos 1 & 4
MAR 24 | WEDNESDAY 7:30
BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
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.
CSO
Beethoven Piano Concertos 2 & 3
MAR 26 | FRIDAY 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.
CSO
Beethoven Emperor Concerto
MAR 27 | SATURDAY 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
Lang Lang
April
CSO
Jordan, Hadelich & Tchaikovsky 4
APR 2 | FRIDAY 7:30
APR 3 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
GLOBAL
Lila Downs: Cambias mi Mundo
APR 4 | SUNDAY 7:00
A magnetic force in Mexican music, Lila Downs brings her dusky, soulful voice to richly layered songs on yearning, identity, justice and folklore.
CSO Muti Conducts Rossini
APR 8 | THURSDAY 7:30
APR 9 | FRIDAY 7:30
APR 10 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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
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.
PIANO
Yuja Wang
APR 11 | SUNDAY 3:00
One of classical music’s reigning superstars, Yuja Wang is a versatile and inquisitive pianist. Never content with the safe or predictable, she backs up her blazing virtuosity with bold programming choices.
Philippe Jordan
Augustin Hadelich
Lila Downs
Yuja Wang
April
CSO
Hrůša
Conducts
Shostakovich 7
APR 15 | THURSDAY 7:30
APR 16 | FRIDAY 7:30
APR 17 | SATURDAY 7:30
APR 18 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
JAZZ
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
APR 20 | TUESDAY 8:00
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Wynton Marsalis trumpet and artistic director
Wynton Marsalis leads his final season as music director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, concluding a transformative tenure that elevated jazz nationwide.
CSO
Glover, Chen & the CSO
APR 22 | THURSDAY 7:30
APR 23 | FRIDAY 1:30
APR 24 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Dame Jane Glover conductor
Robert Chen violin
ABELS More Seasons
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.
Jakub Hrůša
Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Robert Chen
JAZZ
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Narrator Wendell Pierce, Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a trio of soulful sirens satirize the public’s descent into supporting a con-man leader called Mr. Game (Wendell Pierce).
PIANO
Evgeny Kissin
APR 25 | SUNDAY 3:00
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1 (Quasi una fantasia)
BEETHOVEN Diabelli Variations
Get ready as Evgeny Kissin, one of the world’s most electrifying pianists, returns with a program of seminal works by Beethoven. Hear the mighty Diabelli Variations, along with two of the composer’s early sonatas.
CSO
Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi
APR 30 | FRIDAY 7:30
MAY 1 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi conductor
Emmauel Ceysson harp
HISAISHI Encounter for String Orchestra
HISAISHI Harp Concerto
HISAISHI Concerto for Orchestra
Joe Hisaishi — a true master of contemporary symphonic repertoire, as well as Japanese cinema scoring — leads a program of his own works, culminating in his dynamic Concerto for Orchestra, a bold showcase for his distinctive musical voice.
Wendell Pierce
Joe Hisaishi
Evgeny Kissin
May
CSO
Honeck Conducts Mahler & Bruckner 9
MAY 6 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAY 7 | FRIDAY 1:30
MAY 8 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
PIANO
Piotr Anderszewski
MAY 9 | SUNDAY 3:00
BRAHMS Twelve Selections from Opp. 116-119
SCHUBERT Sonata in C Minor, D. 958
Piotr Anderszewski’s interpretations may challenge your expectations, but they’ll never leave you unmoved. Discover the affinities between Brahms and Schubert in this program.
Manfred Honeck
Piotr Anderszewski
Mäkelä, Batiashvili & Sibelius 1
MAY 13 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAY 15 | SATURDAY 7:30
MAY 16 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Lisa Batiashvili violin
LINDBERG New Work united states premiere, cso co-commission
LINDBERG Violin Concerto No. 1
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.
JAZZ
Joel Ross: Good Vibes / The Vibraphone Summit with Warren Wolf, Joe Locke, Stefon Harris & Chien Chien Lu
MAY 14 | FRIDAY 8:00
Joel Ross vibraphone
The Vibraphone Summit
Warren Wolf vibraphone
Joe Locke vibraphone
Stefon Harris vibraphone
Chien Chien Lu vibraphone
A century after its Chicago debut, the vibraphone’s legacy reverberates at Symphony Center with Joel Ross: Good Vibes and a star-studded Vibraphone Summit led by Warren Wolf.
FAMILY
PERFECT FOR AGES 5-12
Einstein’s Imagination
MAY 15 | SATURDAY 11:00 & 12:45
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, thoughtprovoking program.
Joel Ross
Warren Wolf
Joe Locke
Stefon Harris
Chien Chien Lu
May
CHAMBER
Kissin, Vengerov & Capuçon
MAY 18 | TUESDAY 7:30
Evgeny Kissin piano
Maxim Vengerov violin
Gautier Capuçon cello
BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3
BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1 (Ghost)
BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97 (Archduke)
Three of today’s most celebrated musicians — piano legend Evgeny Kissin, violin icon Maxim Vengerov and cello virtuoso Gautier Capuçon — explore how Beethoven revolutionized the once-humble piano trio with newfound passion and expressivity.
CSO
Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo
MAY 20 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAY 21 | FRIDAY 1:30
MAY 22 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Tan Dun conductor
Yuri Yamashita percussion
TAN DUN Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds
TAN DUN Water Concerto
TAN DUN Concerto for Orchestra from Marco Polo
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.
CSO
Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?
MAY 24 | MONDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Keith Lockhart conductor
Michael Feinstein piano and vocals
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano
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.
Maxim Vengerov
Gautier Capuçon
Tan Dun
Michael Feinstein
Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Esa-Pekka
Salonen
& Yunchan Lim
MAY 27 | THURSDAY 7:30
MAY 28 | FRIDAY 1:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Yunchan Lim piano
SALONEN Tiu (Revised Version) united states premiere
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2
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
CSO
Concerto for Two Pianos with Lucas & Arthur Jussen
JUNE 3 | THURSDAY 7:30
JUNE 4 | FRIDAY 1:30
JUNE 5 | SATURDAY 7:30
JUNE 6 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kazuki Yamada conductor
Lucas Jussen piano
Arthur Jussen piano
GLASS The Light
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.
Bringing our students to the CSO is a highlight of our school year. The moment I receive the Group Sales Guide, I get excited choosing the concert for our next visit. The ease of ordering is truly appreciated.”
Whiting High School
Esa-Pekka Salonen
Lucas & Arthur Jussen
June
JAZZ
Chucho Valdés
85th Birthday Celebration with special guests
Joe Lovano & Etienne Charles
JUNE 4 | FRIDAY 8:00
Celebrate the 85th birthday and remarkable 60-year career of Cuban pianist, composer, arranger and NEA Jazz Master Chucho Valdés.
CSO
Rachmaninov
Piano Concerto No. 2
JUNE 10 | THURSDAY 7:30
JUNE 11 | FRIDAY 1:30
JUNE 12 | SATURDAY 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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.
CSO
Mäkelä Conducts Beethoven 9
JUNE 17 | THURSDAY 7:30
JUNE 18 | FRIDAY 7:30
JUNE 19 | SATURDAY 7:30
JUNE 20 | SUNDAY 3:00
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Chen Reiss soprano
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano
Siyabonga Maqungo tenor
Gerald Finley bass-baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Donald Palumbo chorus director
BEETHOVEN Elegy
BOULEZ Le soleil des eaux
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.
Chucho Valdés
Sir Mark Elder
Benjamin Grosvenor
Chen Reiss
Sasha Cooke
MOVIES
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert
JUNE 25 | FRIDAY 7:30
JUNE 26 | SATURDAY 7:30
JUNE 27 | SUNDAY 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’ Grammy-winning score live to the film.
Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin Family Fund for the Canon
Dean L. and Rosemarie Buntrock Foundation
Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund
William R. Jentes
Margot and Josef Lakonishok
Ling Z. and Michael C. Markovitz
Sargent Family Foundation
Schmidt Family Fund
Major artistic support for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 Season is generously provided by Zell Family Foundation and The Negaunee Foundation
The Artist-in-Residence at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is made possible through a generous gift from James and Brenda Grusecki
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
Media Partners
CSO concerts are windows into a world of musical mastery, historical significance and emotional depth. Our student groups and music educators rave about the performances, the inspiration and the memories.” Bob Rogers Travel
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