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Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie, which opened in 2017, was designed by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron to evoke a hoisted sail, water wave, iceberg or quartz crystal resting atop a brick warehouse.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As part of its European Tour 2025, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Jaap van Zweden performed two capacity concerts over the weekend at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany.
Presented by the Hamburg International Music Festival, the CSO on Saturday featured Mahler’s Symphony No. 6. For the Sunday concert, presented by ProArte — Klassik für Hamburg, the CSO performed Mahler’s Symphony No. 7. Audiences in the Elbphilharmonie’s Großer Saal (Grand Hall) surrounded the orchestra and van Zweden on all sides, allowing patrons an up-close and intimate perspective.
The Elbphilharmonie, which opened in 2017, was designed by the Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron to evoke a sail, wave, iceberg or quartz crystal resting atop a warehouse. Time magazine placed the Elbphilharmonie on its 2018 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places, writing that its acoustics “steal the show” and that the hall’s panels provide “a richer, better sound.”
Before each concert, CSO musicians enjoyed some free time around Hamburg, which is one of Chicago’s sister cities. Some unwound with a pick-up basketball game. Others explored the Miniatur Wunderland museum, one of the city’s and Germany’s most popular attractions. Consisting of nine sections, the Wunderland depicts regions and nations, with the world’s largest model railway system winding among them. Since its founding in 2000, the museum has attracted more than 25 million guests.
After Hamburg, the CSO moved on to Dresden (May 19) in Germany, followed by Prague (May 20) in the Czech Republic and Wrocław (May 22-23) in Poland, with a return on May 24 to Chicago.
Flute-piccolo Jennifer Gunn and spouse Jonathan Gunn catch a snack at the airport.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Guest oboe Anne Bach, a principal for Music of the Baroque, boards a KLM flight to Hamburg,.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Violinist Cornelius Chiu waves hello after orchestra musicians land in Hamburg, Germany.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Stage tech Paul Christopher (far right) with techs Todd Snick (from left) and Blair Carlson, violin Gina DiBello and tech Josh Mondie takes a selfie outside the Elbphilharmonie.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As part of the European Stolpersteine project, stones bearing the names of Hamburg residents killed during the Holocaust are embedded throughout the city. Hamburg alone has more than 5,000 stones.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Alexander Hanna, principal bass, warms up backstage at the Elbphilharmonie.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The horn section, with Daniel Gingrich (center) smiling, appears as the concert nears its start.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Trumpets, with Michael Mulcahy (far right), acting principal trombone, prepare for the concert's start.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Elbphilharmonie interior has 10,000 individually micro-shaped drywall plates to disperse sound waves.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Cynthia Yeh, principal percussion, swings the hammer of fate in Mahler's Symphony No. 6.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
It's a cymbal-palooza as Cynthia Yeh (from left), James Ross and guest Ian Ding prepare to clash.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Jaap van Zweden holds a hand over his heart as he responds to the audience's ovation.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After the concert, Jaap van Zweden greets CSOA President Jeff Alexander (right).
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before the second Hamburg concert, viola Catherine Brubaker and stage tech Josh Mondie take in Wunderland.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Miles Maner, bassoon, gets up close to snap some photographs at Minatur Wunderland.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before the concert begins, harp Lynne Turner warms up on the stage of the Elbphilharmonie.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As lights glitter above, Principal Flute Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson warms up onstage.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Matous Michal watches from the upper reaches of the Elbphilharmonie.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Jaap van Zweden prepares to signal an entrance as the CSO performs the third movement of Mahler's Symphony No. 7.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Guest guitar Steve Roberts and violin Simon Michal, who doubles on mandolin, take bows.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
As the concert ends, Jaap van Zweden and the CSO stand and soak up the audience's applause.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Teng Li, principal viola, takes a solo bow.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Yuan-Qing Yu and David Taylor, assistant concertmasters, stand and smile as the audience's applause continues.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO horn James Smesler packs up his instrument for the trip to Dresden, Germany.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Clarinet Steve Williamson waves goodbye after the second Hamburg concert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
