From the CSO’s Archives: The First 130 Years

Guests in the House

December 29, 2020 — 1 hr 45 min listen

Pierre Monteux at the Ravinia Festival in 1949

Victor Charbulak collection, Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association

Legendary guest conductors have led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since the beginning of the ensemble’s history. The performances on this program span nearly fifty years, from Pierre Monteux leading Franck’s Symphony in D minor to John Williams conducting his Suite from Memoirs of a Geisha with Yo-Yo Ma as soloist. Leopold Stokowski also leads Khachaturian’s Third Symphony along with Neeme Järvi conducting Kodály’s Dances of Galánta.

Khachaturian Symphony No. 3 in C Major
Leopold Stokowski conductor
February 1968 (RCA)

Williams Suite from Memoirs of a Geisha for Cello and Orchestra
John Williams conductor
Yo-Yo Ma cello
August 2008 (Sony)

Kodály Dances of Galánta
Neeme Järvi conductor
Laurence Kaptain cimbalom
February 1990 (Chandos)

Franck Symphony in D Minor
Pierre Monteux conductor
January 1961 (RCA)

From the CSO’s Archives: The First 130 Years—featuring recordings from the CSO’s vast discography, including releases on CSO Resound—is a cultural and community partnership between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and WFMT, Chicago’s Classical Music Station.

FTA130-15