CSOradio
CSOradio
The final German city on the Europe 2024 Tour was Cologne, which brought the Orchestra within about 30 miles of Beethoven’s birthplace. After a few hours of travel, musicians enjoyed a couple hours of seeing iconic sites such as the Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge before a performance at Kölner Philharmonie.
Another morning, another bus ride. Musicians gather in the hotel lobby before boarding a bus to Cologne, Germany, where their next performance is scheduled for later that evening.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
With a couple of hours to explore the city before he turns his attention to that evening’s concert, CSO violin Cornelius Chiu enjoys a little sun on his face as he heads toward the Hohenzollern Bridge, which crosses the Rhine with its three-wave-like arches.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO assistant principal oboe Lora Schaefer enjoys some fresh air as she takes in the sights during an afternoon walk in Cologne. Cologne is located about 30 miles north of Bonn, Germany, which is the birthplace of one of classical music’s most revered figures: Ludwig van Beethoven.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Cologne Cathedral stands as the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and features two spires that reach high into the sky. The construction of this cathedral dates to 1248, and it wasn’t completed until 1880. The Cologne Cathedral is host to the Shrine to the Three Kings and attracts tourists and pilgrims alike.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As she enters the hall for the evening concert, CSO violin Joyce Noh stops to take a photo of the signage promoting the Orchestra’s performance. A native of Seoul, South Korea, Noh’s appointment to the CSO by Sir Georg Solti in 1979 was the first for an Asian woman.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The interior architecture of the Kölner Philharmonie is highlighted in a shot that includes CSO assistant principal flute Yevgeny Faniuk warming up on stage prior to the concert. This hall is constructed like an amphitheater, with no walls parallel to one another and the stage and seats creating concentric circles.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO cello Richard Hirschl consults with principal librarian Justin Vibbard in advance of the concert at the Kölner Philharmonie on Saturday, January 20. Vibbard’s early career included three years at Symphony Center as the first Library Fellow for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Riccardo Muti, CSO music director emeritus for life, gestures to the orchestra during a performance of an Italian-inspired program of music by Glass, Mendlessohn and Strauss at Kölner Philharmonie on Saturday, January 20. This appearance marks Muti’s second visit with the CSO in Cologne.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO trombone Michael Mulcahy performs in Strauss’ musical postcard from his travels across Italy, Aus Italien. A native of Sydney, Australia, Mulcahy leads the annual CSO Brass concert held at Symphony Center and is head of the trombone studio at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The camera zooms in on Diane Mues, a member of the CSO viola section since 1987. During her student years at DePaul University, Mues was principal viola of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO viola Youming Chen plucks the strings of his instrument during a performance of Strauss’ Aus Italien. This playing technique that involves plucking the strings is called pizzicato.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Riccardo Muti and the CSO enjoy a standing ovation from the enthusiastic Cologne audience, who were rewarded with an encore performance of Puccini’s Intermezzo to Act 3 of Manon Lescaut.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Following the concert. CSO cello Katinka Kleijn enjoys a glass of wine with Guido Frackers, president of TravTours, a travel agency that exclusively serves touring orchestras. Frackers and his team coolly orchestrate seamless travel for the entire group, ensuring that everyone gets where they need to be when they need to be there.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
At a postconcert reception for all tour participants graciously hosted by the Kölner Philharmonie, CSO assistant principal clarinet John Bruce Yeh and trumpet John Hagstrom mingled with old friends and made new acquaintances. One of Yeh’s former students in Chicago, Pamela Coats (seated on the left), moved from Chicago to Germany a couple decades ago and now enjoys a busy performance schedule in Europe.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Following another full day of travel, sightseeing and a concert, musicians, staff and patrons enjoyed each other’s fellowship over dinner.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
