“The Civic Orchestra threw a 100th birthday party for itself on Sunday evening,” writes Howard Reich in Tuesday’s (3/3) Chicago Tribune. “Several generations of musicians—including current and past Chicago Symphony Orchestra members—have come through the Civic, its contributions to music in Chicago and beyond too large to measure. The ‘Civic Centennial Celebration’ was rendered still more significant by its soloist: Yo-Yo Ma, who played Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, with Civic principal conductor Ken-David Masur at the podium. Ma’s ties to the Civic run deep, the celebrated cellist having performed and collaborated extensively with the orchestra as the CSO’s creative consultant … Dialogues between Ma and orchestra members often achieved remarkable intimacy, a clear indication of how these young musicians feel about the cellist. Once the piece ended, Ma shared hugs and handshakes with various Civic members, then applauded and fist-pumped their contributions. As an encore, he partnered with three Civic cellists in ‘The Goodbye Song,’ dedicated to Judson and Joyce Green, the benefactors of Ma’s consultancy…. Conductor Masur led the Civic in an exuberant but disciplined account of Berlioz’s ‘Roman Carnival’ Overture and an atmospheric reading of Ravel’s ‘La Valse.’ Bravo to all involved, especially these gifted young musicians.”
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