Few other star concert pianists can boast that they fought for — and helped win — their country’s independence.

“In 1970, I was many things, but not an experienced conductor,” admitted Daniel Barenboim, acknowledging that being selected to conduct the CSO at that time was therefore “an event of shattering importance.”

Corky Siegel is one of the world’s great blues harmonica players. He is also a composer, pianist, singer, bandleader, teacher, and author whose curiosity about classical music and American blues has inspired much of his distinguished half-century career.

CMPI will support promising young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds and low-income households in order to diversify the next generation of musicians.

Missy Mazzoli is a composer who is inspired by “weird stories,” and that’s a good thing. Her fascination with “humans who support, undermine, and love each other” has paved the way for opportunities in nearly every realm of the music industry. She is one of two women composers commissioned to write an opera for the Metropolitan Opera in New York …

Riccardo Muti, addressing the 10 thousand-plus crowd, remarked that “all 3 pieces connect the desire of freedom, libertà, liberty!”

From the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Lyric Opera of Chicago and much more, the Teen Arts Pass is making it easier for young people to have access to Chicago’s many great cultural institutions.

Looking back on his many years experiencing great music in Chicago, Carl shares some of his very favorite performances.

Her works have been performed at the BBC Proms and by ensembles including the Sydney Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra. She also performs as a pianist and electronic musician.

Yo-Yo Ma, the CSO’s creative consultant, learned about the decades-long commitment to social justice and outreach within the Faith Community of St. Sabina, and wanted to see how he could honor its work through music.

Samuel Adams and Elizabeth Ogonek shared 20 modern and contemporary works that have most inspired them in celebration of 20 years of CSO’s MusicNOW series.

Katia and Marielle sat down to share their passion for rarely-performed gems, their love of new music, and how living composers have helped them find the freedom that fuels their artistry.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has announced that a concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba with Esperanza Spalding, originally scheduled for February 9, 2019, has been cancelled.

Many musicians dream to perform on the stage of Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition makes this dream come true for one young musician every year. On Saturday, March 3, four young pianists competed for the opportunity to perform with the CSO during a student concert in the 2018/19 season. …

“The musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and I extend our condolences to the families of the victims of today’s tragedy.”

Today, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association announced programming for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents 2018/19 season.

WFMT host Kerry Frumkin has picked 5 of his favorite classical recordings. But it’s better to listen to them on vinyl.

Each day of the year, Lisa Flynn shares her favorite New Releases with music lovers around the world. Here are her 12 favorite classical recordings of 2017.

17 year-old Rebecca Vazquez said that hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform at Lane Tech College Prep High School, where she is a student, is a “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” The orchestra performed there on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, as part of its efforts to bring music to communities throughout Chicago.

CSO music director Riccardo Muti decided to dedicate an encore to victims after a concert in Berkeley, where the orchestra had a multi-day residency.

Sometimes, composers save their best work for last. Is Verdi’s last opera, “Falstaff,” his best?

For 50 years, the sculpture, known simply as the Chicago Picasso, has delighted and baffled passersby. The artist never revealed his inspiration.

Since Riccardo Muti became the CSO’s music director in 2010, Chicagoans have enjoyed many magical moments with the maestro.

“Yo-Yo Ma wanted to meet with me, and I thought it was a joke,” Reverend Michael L. Pfleger said to an audience of over 1,000 people at St. Sabina Church.

Conductor Manfred Honeck shared one of his favorite quotes that guides his artistic work, and it just might change the way you think about classical music.