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Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Salonen, Trifonov & Beethoven
Jan 29-Feb 1, 2026
Overview
Over a misty landscape of storybook castles and deeply carved valleys, a solitary horn calls out at dawn. Bruckner’s Romantic Symphony begins its four-movement journey, encompassing birdsong, forest dances and hymns of thanksgiving. Chicago favorite Daniil Trifonov takes on Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto, a work that crackles with invention and ends with a rollicking, dance-like finale.
Program
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2
Golijov
Levante [Jan 29 Encore]
Daniil Trifonov piano
Villa-Lobos
Danza (Miudinho) from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 [Encore Jan 30 & Feb 1]
Daniil Trifonov piano
Guarnieri
Dança Negra [Jan 31 Encore]
Daniil Trifonov piano
Bruckner
Symphony No. 4 (Romantic)
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 Max Raimi in Orchestra Hall 75 minutes before the performance. The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. No additional tickets are needed.
Poems While You Wait – Saturday, January 31
Poems While You Wait is a collective of poets and their vintage typewriters who provide an unexpected and unpretentious encounter with poetry. The process is simple: give us your name, give us the topic that you would like us to write a poem about (funny, sad or serious; big or small), give us a $10 donation (all of which goes to the nonprofit book publisher Rose Metal Press), and go enjoy the performance. Upon your return you will have a custom-made, one-of-a-kind original poem to keep for yourself or to give as a gift.
Poetry requests will take place before the concert on Saturday, January 31 in Grainger Ballroom from 6:45 PM to the start of the concert. No additional tickets required.
Sponsors & Partners
These concerts are generously sponsored by The Negaunee Foundation.
The appearance of Daniil Trifonov is made possible by an anonymous donor.
Discover more on Experience CSO
The music of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner is “timeless," writes CSO viola Max Raimi. "It seems to have existed for all eternity, yet manages at the same time to be completely new every time we play it."
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For his latest recording, a double-disc set on Deutsche Grammophon, pianist Danill Trifonov returns to the music of Tchaikovsky, a composer who remains integral to his career.
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Although Ludwig van Beethoven wrote fewer piano concertos (five) than he did symphonies (nine) or string quartets (16), the works nonetheless offer insight into his evolution as a composer.
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