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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Noseda Conducts Debussy & Prokofiev 4
Dec 11-13, 2025
Overview
A work of dark, searching grandeur, Prokofiev’s Fourth Symphony gathers sumptuous themes from his ballet music, revised in the postwar shadow of Stalin’s Russia. Britten’s Violin Concerto, a searing response to the Spanish Civil War, features James Ehnes, “a flawless technician and a serious, ever-perceptive musician” (The Guardian). Providing contrast is Debussy’s dreamy and sensuous prelude.
Program
Debussy
Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Britten
Violin Concerto
Ysaÿe
Sonata No. 3 [Dec 11-13 Encore]
James Ehnes violin
Bach
Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Mvt. 3 Largo [Dec 11&13 Encore]
James Ehnes violin
Prokofiev
Symphony No. 4
Performers
Extras
Enhance your concert experience.
Preconcert Dining
Explore Symphony Center’s on-site dining options for a seamless preconcert experience. Preorder a Sound Bites meal to enjoy in the Rotunda before the concert — or make a reservation to dine at the Thomas Club, offering a prix fixe menu featuring traditional American fare and a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. View menus and learn more »
Preconcert Conversation
Explore the music in a free preconcert conversation featuring Daniel Schlosberg in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Sponsors & Partners
The appearance of Ginanadrea Noseda is made possible by the Juli Plant Grainger Fund for Artistic Excellence.
These concerts are generously sponsored by United Airlines.
Discover more on Experience CSO
Given his long history with the works of Prokofiev, conductor Gianandrea Noseda opted to lead the CSO in his Fourth, "because it is a spectacular piece and needs a virtuoso orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony is [that]."
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Violinist James Ehnes reveres his bonds with conductor Gianandrea Noseda, due to their long performance history, and with the CSO, because his father played as a CSO extra and also studied with CSO stalwarts.
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The list of “Big 5" violin concertos is not hard and fast. Nonetheless, it is a starting point in establishing the foundational concertos for the instrument, ones that virtually all major mainstream violinists perform regularly.
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