Alastair Willis will make ‘Merry’ with the CSO and Chorus this holiday season

When maestro Alastair Willis leads selections from Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky, it’s likely to evoke memories of his childhood time in Russia. 

With his family, the American-born Willis spent five years in Moscow, where his mother, a dance critic, covered performances by the Bolshoi and the Kirov. “She learned Russian while we were there so she also could translate for the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies — then the best in the world,” he said. His mother developed longstanding friendships with company members. “Many dancers would come visit us at our home.”

Willis returns to Symphony Center to lead members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the annual holiday revue “Merry, Merry Chicago!,” which runs for six performances Dec. 18-23, featuring carols and yuletide music. He conducted the revue in 2021, which then showcased selections by Russian composers. This time, the program consists of selections from Lehár, Kalman, Walton and Vivaldi, along with yuletide favorites such as “Sleigh Ride,” “The Little Drummer Boy” and “White Christmas.”

The music director of the South Bend (Ind.) Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor and artistic adviser of the Symphonia Boca Raton (La.), Willis has guest-conducted around the world, with podium assignments including the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Mexico City Philharmonic, Orquestra Sinfonica de Rio de Janeiro, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and China National Orchestra in Beijing. His recording of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges for Naxos with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, along with members of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Classical Album in 2009.

Wherever he goes, Willis remains an ambassador for live performance. “Everyone deserves to have an experience with live music, wherein they can escape from this world and find emotional solace,” he said. “It is our job as artists to provide this to them, as in any art form.”

In August, it was announced that Willis’ contract with South Bend had been extended for five more years.

“I am delighted to continue my journey with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra,“ he said in a statement. ”This community has become my home, and it is an honor to lead such a talented group of musicians. Together, we have achieved remarkable artistic growth and have brought innovative and diverse programming to our audiences. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to explore new musical horizons and deepen our connection with the vibrant community of South Bend.” 

A version of this article previously appeared on Experience CSO.