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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra returned to Germany for several days, including two concerts at Alte Oper in Frankfurt on Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19. In addition to the performances, musicians spent their time learning more about reed making, exercising at the hotel fitness center, exploring their surroundings and partaking in local cuisine.
Several members of the double reed section visited the Frankfurt showroom of Reeds ’n Stuff, a purveyor of double-reed making machines and accessories. Owner Udo Heng explains the European style of reed making to CSO oboe and english horn Scott Hostetler and principal oboe William Welter.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
A trip to Germany calls for a visit to a traditional beer hall. From left to right, CSO flute Emma Gerstein, principal bass Alexander Hanna, assistant principal bass Alexander Horton and his wife, Hillary Horton, each enjoy a pint with their schnitzel.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The travel, rehearsal and performance schedule of tour can make it difficult to fit in regular workouts. CSO viola Sunghee Choi embraces the opportunity to break a sweat on a treadmill at the hotel’s fitness center.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Several members of the orchestra spent the afternoon engaged in a friendly competition on a go-kart track. CSO assistant principal second violin Danny Jin waves a peace sign toward the camera.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The two concerts in Frankfurt, Germany, are held at the Alte Oper. The building, which is topped by a sculpture of Pegasus, originally opened in 1880 and underwent a major restoration and renovation after the roof and interior were destroyed by bombs during World War II.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
With five minutes until concert time, CSO violin Mihaela Ionescu heads down a backstage hallway with purpose. A native of Romania, Ionescu immigrated to the United States in 1980 and was appointed to the CSO by Sir Georg Solti in 1987.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Riccardo Muti, CSO music director emeritus for life, leads the CSO in the first of two concerts at Alte Oper in Frankfurt. The program features Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, Stravinsky’s Suite to The Firebird and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The camera zooms in on CSO viola Danny Lai during the Thursday, January 18, performance of the opening piece on the program, Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake. While an undergraduate at Northwestern University, Lai was a student of the long-respected string pedagogue Roland Vamos and former CSO principal viola Charles Pickler, while also earning a degree in economics.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The cello section performs Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird on Thursday evening. This concert is the only tour performance of this particular program.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Russell Hershow comes into view during Thursday’s performance at Alte Oper in Frankfurt. A native of New York City, Hershow was appointed to the CSO by Sir Georg Solti in 1989.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
In a backstage hallway, CSO viola Sunghee Choi, violin So Young Bae and viola Wei-Ting Kuo pose with a poster promoting the Orchestra’s concerts with Maestro Muti.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO viola Max Raimi performs Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 with the CSO led by Maestro Riccardo Muti. Raimi’s musical talents extend beyond his instrument; he is an active composer who has had several of his works performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra including Elegy, Anger Management and Three Lisel Mueller Settings.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Keith Buncke, CSO principal bassoon, focuses on Maestro Muti during the performance. A native of Portland, Oregon, Buncke was appointed to the CSO by Muti in 2015 and made his solo debut with the Orchestra in 2018 performing Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before Friday’s concert, a few musicians warm up on the stage at Alte Oper. Although much of the outside walls and facades survived the 1944 bombings during World War II, the roof and interior of the hall were destroyed. A five-year restoration and renovation began in 1976, and the hall reopened in 1981.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO principal tuba Gene Pokorny flashes a smile for the camera that is nearly as big as his instrument. A southern California native, Pokorny has performed on many film soundtracks including those for Jurassic Park and The Fugitive.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO cello Brant Taylor, who was called up to play principal cello for the Friday evening program, smiles back at stage technician Paul Christopher as he walks out toward the stage. In addition to orchestral playing, Taylor frequently performs with chamber ensembles and even had a seven-year association with the band Pink Martini.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO concertmaster Robert Chen regularly appears with the Orchestra as a featured soloist. Throughout his 25-year tenure, he has performed the CSO premiere of György Ligeti’s Violin Concerto, Elliott Carter’s Violin Concerto and Witold Lutosławski’s Chain Two, as well as the world premiere of Augusta Read Thomas’s Astral Canticle, among many other works.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Riccardo Muti and the CSO acknowledge the audience’s applause following their performance of Strauss’ Aus Italien on Friday evening. This marks the ninth performance in the CSO’s history that the Orchestra has given in this city.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO principal clarinet Steve Williamson looks up at Maestro Muti as he performs during the encore, Verdi’s Overture to Giovanna d’Arco. Before joining the CSO in 2011, he played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Following the second concert, CSO violin So Young Bae strides down a backstage hallway with her instrument in tow. Farewell, Frankfurt!
Todd Rosenberg Photography
