As part of the online CSO Sessions Series, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Lincoln Quartet—violinists Qing Hou and Lei Hou, violist Lawrence Neuman, and cellist Kenneth Olsen—performed a virtual recital in August. Photo by Clay Baker / Chicago Symphony Orchestra
“All Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association-presented concerts through June 13 have been canceled, the CSOA announced Thursday,” writes Howard Reich in Thursday’s (1/14) Chicago Tribune. “ ‘The decision follows a careful review of the continually evolving conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, is in accordance with the State of Illinois and City of Chicago’s multiphase recovery plans, and in response to the current safety guidelines from public health officials,’ according to a CSOA statement. The CSOA continues to explore the possibility of rescheduling affected programs…. Programming plans for the 2021/22 season [will] be announced later in the spring.’ Said CSOA President Jeff Alexander in a statement: ‘We reached the decision that it is not possible to present the programs we had originally planned for spring 2021 but are pleased to continue our digital offerings, which have been so well received…. We remain focused on preparations that allow maestro (Riccardo) Muti and the orchestra to come together to make music and to welcome audiences again to Symphony Center when it is safe to do so.’ New episodes of the ‘CSO Sessions’ series featuring orchestra musicians and filmed in Orchestra Hall will continue to be released on https://cso.org/tv.”
