Program Book: Season Opening with Szeps-Znaider, Sep 18-19, 2025

September 18, 2025 — 10 min read

Read the program book for Season Opening with Szeps-Znaider, Sep 18-19, 2025.

Large print programs are available for most Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts, as well as Civic Orchestra of Chicago concerts. The nearest Usher can assist in retrieving a large print program.

Watch video program notes

Explore the photo gallery

guest violinist Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, left, and principal viola Teng Li, right, solo together in front of the orchestra

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and Teng Li raise their hands in a bow. Szeps-Znaider wears a black dress shirt and Li an orange pantsuit.

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

Principal Oboe William Welter, holding his concert wear, turns around and gives the camera a big smile and thumbs up as he enters the building

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

Teng Li warms up on her viola backstage in front of an old, black-and-white portrait of the orchestra

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

The audience listens intently as the orchestra performs The Star Spangled Banner to open the concert

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

The violin section, led by concertmaster Robert Chen, plucks its strings in unison

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

Teng Li and Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider embrace after their encore performance

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

An audience member in the front row, with short pink hair and an elegant black watch, gives the orchestra a standing ovation

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider gestures to the woodwind section from the podium

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

The CSO's percussion section performs in Elgar's Second Symphony

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

A wide shot of the orchestra in action from the right side of the upper balcony

Photography by Todd Rosenberg

The trombone section, including newly appointed principal trombone Timothy Higgins, takes a collective bow

Photography by Todd Rosenberg