Thomas Wilkins conducts three works featuring unique musical visions of America, capped with Dvořák’s majestic New World Symphony, which draws on African American and Native American source materials. Coleridge-Taylor’s ballet suite captures the spirit of Longfellow’s epic poem The Song of Hiawatha. CSO Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson performs Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, premiered by Benny Goodman, which features a rollicking blend of jazz and classical sounds.
Hiawatha Suite
Clarinet Concerto
Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)
Explore the music in the free preconcert conversation featuring John Novak in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The conversation will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Join us for an exclusive event for college students. Enjoy dinner and a Q&A session with Thomas Wilkins followed by a CSO concert. Learn more »
Hosted by the CSO African American Network
Join Chicago composer, conductor and frequent CSO African American Network guest Renée Baker for a postconcert Q&A with guest conductor Thomas Wilkins and solo clarinetist Stephen Williamson after the matinee concert on Sunday, March 26. Learn more »
All ticket holders are invited to attend this free, postconcert discussion.
The appearance of Thomas Wilkins is made possible by the Juli Plant Grainger Fund for Artistic Excellence.