CSOradio
CSOtv
CSOradio
At Presidio Park, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, Assistant Concertmaster Yuan-Qing Yu and bass Andrew Sommer snap some selfies.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
After a triumphant performance in Mesa, Arizona, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s West Coast Tour 2026 rolled on to the Bay Area for a weekend of concerts and activities.
After landing in San Francisco, CSO musicians enjoyed a day of sightseeing in the City by the Bay, with stops at landmarks such as Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Fisherman’s Wharf and of course, the cable-car system, considered the United States’ only moving National Historic Landmark. The system was designated as such in 1964 because of its significance in urban transportation and as a symbol of the city’s heritage.
The CSO used San Francisco as its weekend base for concerts in Berkeley (on Jan. 17), site of the flagship of the University of California system, and then in Davis (on Jan. 18), home to another U. of C. campus. The Davis concert, in Jackson Hall of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, marked a venue debut for the CSO.
Built in 1968, Zellerbach Hall consists of two main theaters: the 2,015-seat Auditorium and the 500-seat Playhouse. In Berkeley, the CSO performed a program of Brahms, Stravinsky and Ravel, under Music Director for Life Riccardo Muti. The concert was presented by Cal Performances, the performing arts presenting, commissioning and producing organization based at the University of California, Berkeley. The CSO and Muti previously performed at Zellerbach Hall on Oct. 13-15, 2017.
Next up on West Coast Tour 2026 will be a concert Jan. 21 at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, followed by another venue debut, this time at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center in Northridge. #CSOonTour
CSO musicians Robert Chen (from left), John Sharp, Richard Hirschl and Ken Olsen strike an "Abbey Road"-like tableau as they roll their cases over an airport crosswalk.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO violin Susan Synnestvedt flashes her best “who, me?” look as she boards the flight to San Francisco..
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Ready for my closeup, Mr. Rosenberg: CSO viola Max Raimi heads for the departure gate at Sky Harbor Airport.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Considered one of most beautiful and iconic American bridges, the Golden Gate opened in 1937.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The California Street cable-car line heads into San Francisco's Financial District, which overlooks the Bay Bridge.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Powell & Mason cable-car line ends at Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the city's top attractions, famous for its seafood and shopping.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Rising atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower has been a symbol of San Francisco since its completion in 1933.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Darkness descends over Berkeley as CSO musicians head to Zellerbach Hall, site of that night’s concert.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Opened in 1968, Zellerbach Hall consists of two venues, with its main auditorium seating just over 2,000.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Patrons bustle about in the spacious lobby of Zellerbach Auditorium.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Before the concert begins, bassoon Miles Maner snaps some photos with his phone.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Danny Yehun Jin, assistant principal second violin, takes aim backstage.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The concert starts with Riccardo Muti, Music Director Emeritus for Life, leading the CSO in Brahms' Fourth.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
For this performance, the CSO horn section (from left) consists of David Griffin, Susanna Gaunt, James Smelser, Mark Almond (principal) and guest musician Alex Love.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson (left) leans into Brahms' Fourth Symphony.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO brass section comes into view: trumpets John Hagstrom and Esteban Batallán (principal) and trombones Tim Higgins (principal), Michael Mulcahy and Charles Vernon.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO trombone section (from left), Tim Higgins (principal), Michael Mulcahy and Charles Vernon take a bow.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Concertmaster Robert Chen appears at centerstage in Divertimento, Suite from Stravinsky's "The Fairy's Kiss."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's low strings, the cellos and double basses, come into view.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Kenneth Olsen (left), assistant principal, and John Sharp, principal, anchor the cello section.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Vadim Karpinos (left) and David Herbert, principal timpani, round out the rhythm section.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
William Welter, principal oboe, takes a bow after the suite from Stravinsky's "The Fairy's Kiss" ends.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Principal Percussion Cynthia Yeh solos on the snare drum in Ravel's percussive "Boléro."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
Maestro Muti leads the Chicago Symphony through the final measures of Ravel's "Boléro."
Todd Rosenberg Photography
CSO stage technician Paul Christopher breaks down risers as the load-out process begins.
Todd Rosenberg Photography
