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CSO violins So Young Bae (in the front) and Ni Mei head to the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
To close out its 2025 U.S. Winter Tour, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra flew from the East Coast to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for two concerts and surrounding activities Jan. 23-24 at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Oklahoma State University.
After landing, some Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians, in particular the bass section, enjoyed a spirited game of bowling before the work began the next day on Jan. 23. Meanwhile, another group of CSO musicians participated in a stained glass-making session before the second concert on Jan. 24.
The Thursday concert — which marked the CSO and Riccardo Muti’s return to the venue after their debut there in January 2023 — was preceded by a preconcert talk with William Buchman, CSO assistant principal bassoon — and featured the CSO’s tour program of works by Bellini, Schubert and Tchaikovsky.
In an electric final performance on Friday, the CSO came full circle with the repertoire it performed on its first night of the Winter Tour 2025: Donizetti’s overture to his opera Don Pasquale, The Four Seasons ballet from Verdi’s opera The Sicilian Vespers, Golijov’s Suite from Megalopolis, Chabrier’s España and Falla’s Suite No. 2 from his The Three-Cornered Hat. The concert was preceded by a lecture with CSO viola Max Raimi.
This week, back at Symphony Center, the CSO begins two weeks of programming with guest conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, including the local premiere of his own Sinfonia Concertante for Organ and Orchestra.
The Michal family, Simon (from left), Weijing and daughter, head to the CSO bus for the ride to the airport.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Eileen Chambers (left), director of communications, and Heidi Lukas, director of operations, settle in for the flight.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
John Bruce Yeh, assistant principal clarinet, catches up with Heidi Lukas, director of operations.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO musicians disembark upon arrival in Stillwater, Oklahoma, last stop on the winter tour.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
During a free afternoon, the CSO bass section, including Alexander Horton, assistant principal, goes bowling.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
During the load-in process at the McKnight Center, CSO stage techs take a break and nestle among the bass cases.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
William Buchman (left), assistant principal bassoon, conducts a preconcert talk with OSU's Dr. Thomas Lanners.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Conclave! Before the concert, CSO musicians gather in a hallway leading to the McKnight stage.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Tuba Gene Pokorny plays a cimbasso, a low brass instrument, during the overture to Bellini's "Norma."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The CSO brass section, including trumpet John Hagstrom (front), moves into view during the overture to "Norma."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Rhapsody in blue: Trumpet Tage Larsen (left) and Principal Oboe William Welter prepare to take the stage.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson takes a bow as his fellow musicians join in the applause.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO percussionist Patsy Dash awaits her next entrance as the first Stillwater concert proceeds.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
RIccardo Muti, Music Director Emeritus for Life, leads the CSO in the first of two concerts at Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The CSO horn section (from left), David Griffin, Daniel Gingrich, James Smelser, Mark Almond (principal) and Oto Carrillo comes into the camera's focus.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Keith Buncke, principal bassoon, is flanked by bassoon Miles Maner (right) and Stephen Williamson, principal clarinet.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti is a commanding presence on the podium during Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished").
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Timpani David Herbert awaits a down stroke in Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished").
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is seen from the upper balcony of the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The CSO low brass section takes a bow after Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished").
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Next, the trumpet section, John Hagstrom (left), and Mark Ridenour, assistant principal, takes a bow after the Schubert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The concert's second half begins as Maestro Muti leads the CSO in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before the Friday concert, CSO musicians participate in a stained glass-making session and hold up their wares.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO viola Max Raimi warms up onstage ahead of the Friday concert at Stillwater.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Oto Carrillo holds up a souvenir for the trip home: a T-shirt for the NBA team the Okahoma Thunder.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The second Stillwater concert begins with the overture to Donizetti's opera "Don Pasquale."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The CSO woodwind section looms into view during the overture to Donizetti's "Don Pasquale."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
On tour, the trumpet section (from left) consists of guest Dave Inmon, Tage Larsen, John Hagstrom and Mark Ridenour.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson takes a bow after The Four Seasons ballet from Verdi's opera "The Sicilian Vespers."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO piccolo/flute Jennifer Gunn takes a bow after the ballet The Four Seasons from Verdi's opera "The Sicilian Vespers."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
During intermission, violin Simon Michal gets a little sugar from his wife, CSO viola Weijing Michal.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
During intermission, Principal Flute Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson (left) relaxes backstage with horn David Griffin.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The CSO bass section performs during Osvaldo Golijov's "Megalopolis" Suite, which was commissioned by the CSO.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Chabrier's "España" requires four bassoons, so English horn Scott Hostetler (far right) switches instruments on the work.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The second concert in Stillwater, Oklahoma, draws to a close with Suite No. 2 from Falla's "Three-Cornered Hat."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti shakes the hand of Associate Concertmaster Stephanie Jeong as the concert nears its conclusion.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti congratulates Principal Cello John Sharp as the second Stillwater concert ends.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
