Patron Services associate Emily Uddenberg suggests a double dose of Mahler

The 2023-24 seasons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents are just weeks away, and members of the Sales and Patron Experience team are here to help. Tickets and subscriptions for all series are now on sale and can be ordered online or over the phone.

Can’t decide which concerts to select? Over the next weeks, staff members will offer their own choices for the must-see performances of 2023-24.

Emily Uddenberg, a Patron Services associate, has attended concerts at Orchestra Hall since childhood because her father has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Perhaps not surprisingly, two choral events lead off her list.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, May 23-25: If you loved last season’s Missa solemnis, this program should be on your radar. Mahler’s instrumentation is always full, and the color of his music is like nothing else. And the Chicago Symphony Chorus is one of the finest professional choruses in the country for many reasons, including being musically on par with our fantastic orchestra! 

Songs from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Oct. 12-15: Something else that Mahler really mastered during his career is art songs for the voice. Although art songs are often presented with piano, Mahler raised the stakes by writing for orchestra and voice in a setting that was not operatic or an oratorio. The Wunderhorn cycle is a wonderful collection of folk-like songs with orchestral accompaniment for the baritone voice. While I identify as a soprano, Mahler’s art songs offer the fantastic-ness that is drama and theater with just 30 minutes of music and is certainly not to be missed. 

Holst’s The Planets, Nov. 2-7: Even if you don’t think you know any typical classical music, you have heard the Jupiter theme from The Planets at some point in your life. Having the opportunity to hear such a familiar tune live is such a fulfilling experience. The piece makes me feel safe in a way, because it’s something that I know I have connected with in my life many times before. How often do we get to feel that sort of immense comfort these days?

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Nov. 16-19 (including a performance Nov. 17 at Wheaton College): In case anyone from the suburbs is looking for something fabulous, check out Stravinsky’s work that originally was intended to be performed as a ballet. While the choreography isn’t presented that frequently nowadays, you can imagine a story as the work progresses. 

Fantasia in Concert, Nov. 24-26: This concert is for those who are nostalgic. Yes, I know, the “Fantasia” films are available on Disney+. But having the orchestra in front of you is so much cooler than watching and listening via a TV screen. Streaming services can’t begin to compete with art presented in this way. Fabulous for families over the holiday weekend. 

Symphony Center’s friendly and knowledgeable Sales and Patron Experience team members are here to help. For personalized assistance with your ticket order, call 312-294-3000 or chat with them on CSO.org.