Event
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Visiting Orchestras Series
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, Zell Music Director
Thursday Performance
Beethoven — Coriolan Overture
Beethoven — Symphony No. 8
Liadov — The Enchanted Lake
Mussorgsky — Pictures at an Exhibition
Saturday Performance
Beethoven — Symphony No. 7
Prokofiev — Symphony No. 5
Join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for two landmark performances as it celebrates the artistic legacy of Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti, now in his final season.
The first program presented by the illustrious orchestra opens with a pair of works by Beethoven — the Coriolan Overture and his lighthearted Symphony No. 8, created in tandem with (and in contrast to) his Seventh and written as a contrasting work. The orchestra also performs Anatoly Liadov’s Enchanted Lake, inspired by a painting of a mystic mountain lake by Russian artist Arseny Meshchersky. Continuing this art-inspired theme, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concludes its first performance with Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition, which takes listeners on a musical tour through an art gallery filled with unique pictures to which the composer pays tribute.
The orchestra’s second program is comprised of two symphonic masterpieces, presented in stark contrast to the first program. It opens with a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, written in thematic opposition to its “twin” piece, the Eighth Symphony. Sweeping and energetic, the Seventh Symphony blazes forward with breakneck speed toward its ecstatic finale, joyful and breathless. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra concludes its Artis—Naples performances with Prokofiev’s melodic Symphony No. 5, written at the height of World War II and often taken as a symbol of optimism, hope, victory and anticipation.
All Visiting Orchestras tickets include same-day admission to The Baker Museum. Museum hours on days of performances: 10am-8pm. In addition, the doors to Hayes Hall will open 90 minutes prior to this performance. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibitions and light fare available at Heidi's Place.
