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CSO Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti led the CSO for the 550th time in a sold-out concert featuring the European premiere of Philip Glass’ The Triumph of the Octagon, as well as symphonies by Mendelssohn and Prokofiev, in Henry Le Bœuf Hall at Palais Des Beaux Arts in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, January 11.
The CSO and Music Director Emeritus for Life Riccardo Muti open their first concert of the Europe 2024 Tour with a performance at Palais Des Beaux Arts, known as BOZAR, in Brussels on Thursday, January 11. This is the first time the CSO and Muti have performed together at this venue.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The BOZAR opened in 1929 and was designed by Belgian architect Victor Horta, a founder of the Art Nouveau movement whose later work evolved to Art Deco. This exterior is made with Belgian hardstone with an ornamented style influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Now in his 50th year as a cellist with the CSO, David Sanders warms up on stage prior to the house opening to patrons for the evening’s concert. This tour marks his last with the CSO.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO cello Daniel Katz eyes the camera as he and other musicians and staff navigate the maze of tour trunks in backstage areas of Henry Le Bœuf Hall. Henry Le Bœuf, the hall’s namesake, was a prominent businessman, banker and patron of the arts, particularly music, in Brussels.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti leads the CSO in his 550th concert with the Orchestra. Muti served as the 10th music director of the CSO from 2010 until 2023. At the beginning of the 2023/24 season, he assumed the title of Music Director Emeritus for Life.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The low strings perform in the European premiere of Philip Glass’ The Triumph of the Octagon, which the composer dedicated to Maestro Muti “in honor of his many successes as conductor of the CSO and important contributions to the world of music.”
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The trumpets and horns—(from left to right) John Hagstrom, Esteban Batallán, James Smelser and Mark Almond—perform Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 (Italian).
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Two of the newest members of the Orchestra—basses Ian Hallas and Andrew Sommer—perform Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony on Thursday evening in Brussels.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO principal clarinet Stephen Williamson performs at the BOZAR. This concert marks the CSO’s eighth performance at the venue since its debut in 1971 with Sir Georg Solti.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The second half of the concert features Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. Here CSO principal oboe William Welter, guest oboe Samuel Waring and English horn Scott Hostetler perform.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti leads the CSO in Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5. The CSO most recently performed in Belgium in 1998, under the baton of Daniel Barenboim.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony calls for a lot of percussion, including Vadim Karpinos on tam-tam, Steven White on triangle, Cynthia Yeh on snare drum, James Ross on cymbals, Joseph Bricker on bass drum and David Herbert on timpani.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti congratulates John Sharp during the bows following the performance. Audience members in several European cities, including Brussels, synchronize their applause in unison at the end of a concert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Melanie Kupchynsky and principal second violin Baird Dodge pack their instruments into their cases following the concert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Following the concert, stage technician Blair Carlson clears the stage so she and the rest of the crew can pack the trunks in preparation for their journey to the next destination: Paris, France.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
