CSOradio
CSOtv
CSOradio
In September, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra resumed live concerts in Orchestra Hall, and subscribers and patrons were welcomed back to revel in the experience.
As Riccardo Muti reminded the crowd before the performance began: “You came here because you needed to hear music. ... You need to hear life.”
Once again, Muti asked the audience to maintain its support of the CSO and “stay close to the orchestra,” so that he and the musicians can continue to “give you, the public, enrichment and beauty.”
For the season-opening concerts, Muti had chosen two masterworks by Beethoven, his Third and Seventh symphonies. In an interview with the site Classical Music North America, Muti referred to the travails of the ongoing pandemic. "People have been heroic through this difficult time, and the Eroica [Third] Symphony comes from a man who also suffered so much in his life,“ he said. ”The Third Symphony and the Seventh are masterpieces that people need to hear again — live, with all the energy and electricity of the concert hall. That is the meaning of theater. We have to experience again this great coming together, and to feel the music of the Eroica is the best beginning.”
Throughout the season, the CSO’s Patron Services staff has gathered comments from audience members about the concert experience at Symphony Center. Here is a sampling of those remarks:
Rosemary Crowley: There’s nothing like being in Orchestra Hall, listening to gorgeous music played by world-class musicians. The troubles in our world dissipate, and peace and beauty surround me.
Rickey Williams: I think that many people want to return to concerts as a way to “get back to some form of normalcy” from all the stress and isolation they’ve felt during the [pandemic]. I feel that live music can be the perfect outlet for everyone to begin feeling and experiencing a calming sense of [relief] that we may be turning the corner.
Gisela Clancy: Live music is so good for the soul and mind, and I personally have missed this so much. It is wonderful to be able to attend live performances, and it was so worth it! Congratulations CSO!
Michael Sprinker: it was exciting to hear two composers [Florence Price and Joseph Bologne] who are rarely performed, but should be part of the standard repertoire. The staff did a great job handling a very large audience with the necessary new constraints on speedy entry. All at the CSO were very welcoming and happy to see the audience!
Helaine A. Billings: The greetings I received from so many CSO personnel were so heartwarming. I did feel like I had come home. And the performance was heaven-sent.
Rosellen Monter: My joy at returning to an almost always lovely experience was shared by an overwhelming majority of the audience. The program reflected the current shift in our awareness of new cultural dimensions, while still providing the joy and comfort of familiar great music performed superbly. Maestro Muti’s amusement and delight was contagious, making the concert a delight for all of us.
Jane Moyer: So wonderful to see an almost full house after all we have all been through. I know it has taken a tremendous effort to make it possible. Thanks to all.
Jim Valtman: How different the live performance is from a streamed and/or recorded performance. There is no comparison to a live performance, both in fidelity of the music and the experience.
Autumn Ike: The experience brought tears to my eyes. Such a joy to be back at a live concert! I’ve missed these very special experiences.
Patricia Hyams: This was the first time I have been back in two years. ... During the lockdown, these concerts were the things I missed the most. Attending the CSO in person again was deeply moving to me.
Elena Martin: This performance was my first classical music performance in over two years, and it was so uplifting and exciting to experience gorgeous music in a live audience and celebrate incredible music and musicians again. Just what my soul needed.
John Henderson: I particularly enjoyed the wonderful employees who treated us with respect. I enjoyed the beautiful hall, and most importantly, the music was beyond stunning and was without a doubt the high point of my year. Thank you for an experience I will truly remember for the rest of my life!
Kristen de Man: I was thrilled to witness such an excellent display of talent and skill, and to experience again this piece of music that has become a pillar of Western culture. All this I felt especially strongly after nearly two years without live events!
Stephanie Zimmermann: Just walking in the building and looking up and all around — I get a thrill just being there. The CSO was, of course, amazing! And it was so fun to see Muti in person, directing. It was a really enjoyable experience, and we plan to come again. Thank you!
Janeane Quinn: The CSO concert hall is a national treasure. We need music more than ever to get us through this time of challenge and change. Thank you to everyone at the CSO for your efforts to bring music and audiences safely back to Chicago.
Andrew Schaefer: Such a world-class experience, and such wonderful and knowledgeable staff. From people who answered my preconcert questions on the phone to knowledgeable ushers who encouraged me and my sons to get photos from the front row, your organization is full of people who want to share their love of music with others. Such a warm experience!
John Sabo: We have been missing seeing the wonderful performances of our CSO musicians. The positive energy from both the musicians and audience is quite infectious and something I feel we all need in our current time in history. We feel re-energized, and we thank you with our utmost appreciation!
Allen Frantzen: Now we all know what it is like not to have the CSO. We have learned that we cannot take this marvelous organization for granted for a minute.
