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The 2024/25 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 2024/25.
Nicholas Bryan, Preferred Services supervisor, is eager for awe-inspiring piano works, symphonic behemoths like Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 and percussion-heavy performances across both classical and jazz.
Here are his top concert choices for 2024/25:
Shostakovich 11th Symphony, March 20-22: I’m a huge fan of heavy orchestral pieces, and the Shostakovich 11th Symphony certainly brings that. The story of the 1905 Revolution really comes to life in this intense piece. If you’re talking heavy brass and percussion, then you’re talking my language. Hrůša is a fantastic conductor, and I’m sure he will do this symphony justice.
Seong-Jin Cho Plays Prokofiev, Feb. 27–March 2: Continuing on the theme of intensity, the Prokofiev 2nd Piano Concerto has all of those elements, and will be performed by a remarkable young talent, Seong-Jin Cho. He has become a fan favorite amongst our audience, and rightfully so. I imagine his interpretation of Prokofiev will leave the audience awestruck. Sibelius is one of my favorite composers, and the 5th Symphony will be a nice way to round out the program.
Charles Lloyd Quartet/Pérez, Patitucci & Blade with Turner, Oct. 25: As a drummer with a jazz background, this is the highlight for me of the jazz calendar at Symphony Center. Charles Lloyd is an absolute legend, and he is bringing his quartet that features some heavy hitters, including one of my favorite drummers, Eric Harland. Celebrating the life of Wayne Shorter, the quartet featuring Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Mark Turner, and Brian Blade will surely leave patrons astounded. I rarely miss the opportunity to see Blade behind the kit. All of the names in both groups on this program are huge in the jazz scene, and it is definitely not a concert to be missed.
Víkingur Ólafsson, June 8: It doesn’t get much better than listening to some Beethoven sonatas, especially his final three. This performance will no doubt convey a lot of emotions, and is a perfect way to round out the piano recital season. Ólafsson is one of the great pianists of our time.
Back to the Future in Concert, June 26-28: Of all the movies I’ve seen, I believe I have seen Back to the Future more than any other movie. Growing up, it seemed like the film was routinely on cable television. If I happened to notice it was on TV, then I couldn’t help but sit and watch the remainder of the film. There are so many great lines used in the film that I like to quote with my family. I can’t miss out seeing the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform the live score. “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”
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.
