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Benjamin Silberman, a Patron Services associate, also is a violist; he received his master of music degree from DePaul University. Passionate about orchestral music, he also enjoys reading and iced coffee.
The 2026/27 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. 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 2026/27.
Benjamin Silberman, a Patron Services associate, is a violist who received his master of music degree from DePaul University. He is passionate about orchestral music and has had the opportunity to perform in ensembles throughout Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
He offers these concerts as his top recommendations for the upcoming season:
Season Opener: Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn, CSO Classical (Sept. 17-19)
The Mendelssohn Violin Concerto was one of the first pieces of classical music that I fell in love with when I began my musical studies, and Hahn’s version remains one of my favorites. Dvorak’s compositions are full of so much life, and I always have fun when I get to see them performed.
Honeck Conducts Bates & Mahler 1, CSO Classical (Feb. 25-27)
Mahler’s writing has such incredible depth, and his orchestral works always portray such powerful emotions. In addition, getting to see a world premiere by Mason Bates (his Escapist Symphony, drawn from his opera The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) would be an incredible opportunity to appreciate contemporary orchestral music. I find it very exciting to experience music written by living composers, and it offers an opportunity to mix up the more traditional repertoire.
Jordan, Hadelich & Tchaikovsky 4, CSO Classical (April 2-3)
Korngold’s Violin Concerto has such a unique sound, owing largely to his background in writing film music, and Augustin Hadelich is sure to present an amazing performance of this work. Tchaikovsky has always been one of my favorite composers, and his Fourth Symphony remains such a standard in the repertoire for good reason.
Kissin, Vengerov & Capuçon, SCP Chamber Music (May 18)
Each of these musicians is incredible in his own right and having the opportunity to see them collaborate will be amazing. These piano trios by Beethoven will serve as an excellent vessel to experience the respective talents of these guest artists.
Tan Dun: Water Concerto & Marco Polo, CSO Classical (May 20-22)
It’s always exciting to have a percussionist (guest Yuri Yamashita) solo with the orchestra. The Water Concerto presents such a unique idea and demonstrates Tan Dun’s creativity as a composer. He has such a deep and meaningful inspiration for his composing, and this translates into his very compelling music.
Note: Curated and create-your-own subscriptions are available now; tickets for individual concerts go on sale Aug. 5.
