“The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2017-18 season shows … the usual cornerstone works set off by a greater variety of rarities, including a generous sampling of contemporary and 20th-century music,” writes Lawrence A. Johnson in Tuesday’s (1/31) Chicago Classical Review. Music Director Riccardo Muti “will lead music by five American composers, three of which are world premieres: a work by CSO composer in residence Elizabeth Ogonek; a concerto for the CSO’s low brass section by Jennifer Higdon; and Three Lisel Müller Settings, a cycle for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by CSO violist and composer Max Raimi.” Other American music will include Barber’s violin and cello concertos, and three works honoring the Bernstein centennial: his Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, suite from On the Waterfront, and Symphony No. 2 (“The Age of Anxiety”). “Making their CSO podium debuts next season are conductors Jiří Bělohlávek, Giovanni Antonini and John Storgårds. Artists making their CSO bows are mandolinist Avi Avital, tenor Paul Appleby, principal bassoon Keith Buncke, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong, violinist Isabelle Faust, mezzo Clémentine Margaine, violist Paul Neubauer and soprano Sandrine Piau.” The CSO will tour California in October 2017 and the East Coast in February 2018.
Posted February 1, 2017
