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Muti, Glass & Mendelssohn Italian

Sep 28-30, 2023
Overview Program Performers Extras

Overview

Audience Favorite

Join Riccardo Muti and the CSO for a sensuous journey to Italy. Richard Strauss’ Aus Italien whisks the listener through the sun-soaked countryside, past Roman ruins and on to sites in Sorrento and Naples. Mendelssohn’s sparkling Italian Symphony gathers impressions of Mediterranean warmth and traditional dances. A world premiere by the venerable American composer Philip Glass opens the program.

Program
Glass

The Triumph of the Octagon [World Premiere, CSO Commission]

Mendelssohn

Symphony No. 4 (Italian)

R. Strauss

Aus Italien

Extras

Enhance your concert experience with this additional event.
Preconcert Dining

Enhance your concert experience by dining at Forte featuring contemporary Mediterranean cuisine or the Thomas Club featuring traditional American fare. Learn more »

Preconcert Conversation

Explore the music in a free preconcert conversation featuring Johann Buis in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.

Postconcert CD Signing

Please join us for a postconcert CD signing with Maestro Riccardo Muti on Saturday, September 30. The signing will take place in First Floor Rotunda and is open to all ticketholders. Merchandise will be available in the Symphony Store preconcert and lobby at intermission and postconcert.

Sponsors

This performance is made possible with the generous sponsorship of Josef and Margot Lakonishok.

The Triumph of the Octagon is commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through the Helen Zell Commissioning Program.

New release: Contemporary American Composers

Available now at retailers worldwide, Contemporary American Composers is the Orchestra’s highly anticipated next installment on its award-winning CSO Resound label. The album showcases captivating works by living composers, including Jessie Montgomery’s meditation for orchestra, Hymn for Everyone; Max Raimi’s Three Lisel Mueller Settings with mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong, and Philip Glass’ electrifying Eleventh Symphony.

Order now
Discover more on Experience CSO
How an Italian landmark inspired Philip Glass’ ‘Triumph of the Octagon’
Composer Philip Glass reports that he was inspired to write "The Triumph of the Octagon" after he spotted a photo of Castel del Monte, a 13th-century citadel in the Apulia region of Italy, on display in Riccardo Muti's CSO studio.
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An interview with Philip Glass
Ahead of the first performances of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 11 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under Riccardo Muti, the composer was interviewed by Richard Guérin, manager of Glass' label, Orange Mountain Music.
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Contemporary American Composers on CSO Resound
The next release on CSO Resound showcases works of three American composers linked to Chicago and the CSO: Philip Glass, a University of Chicago alum; Jessie Montgomery, CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence, and Max Raimi, a longtime CSO violist.
Explore more