Facebook Premiere: Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 3:00 PM Central

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Program Notes

Concert Listing

Beethoven Symphony No. 9

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Riccardo Muti conductor

Camilla Nylund soprano

Ekaterina Gubanova mezzo-soprano

Matthew Polenzani tenor

Eric Owens bass-baritone

Chicago Symphony Chorus

Duain Wolfe chorus director

Listening Guides

Donor Recognition

Charlie would have turned 19 on September 18, 2014, the date of this performance. He was always sharing joy. He lived and gave with courage. And he was always bringing people together.

Funding for seats at the four performances of this program, for people who otherwise might have been unable to attend, for filming concert, and for distributing it, so it can be freely shared around the world, has been provided by Charlie’s family. It is dedicated to everyone who shares joy, to everyone who lives and gives with courage and to everyone who brings people together.

Critical Acclaim

“The work has long spoken to Riccardo Muti's deep sense of moral and humanitarian mission, and it was in that spirit that he presented the mighty Ninth. …Muti's concern for textual authenticity told in countless ways. So did the warmly Italianate lyricism and luminous attention to inner voices that shone through his reading of the sublime Adagio. ...The CSO musicians gave their chief all the precise attacks and releases, all the balanced chording and clear articulation he asked for.” — John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune

“There are many ways to offer this unique work. Muti asked us to think more than we usually might in a concert hall and then rewarded us with a soaring, humane answer to secular prayers.” — Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun-Times

More Info

Beethoven's Ninth on Sounds & Stories