MusicNOW, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s new-music series, has put on its share of good concerts, but none of the programs has piqued our interest quite like this Monday’s concert at the Harris Theater featuring world premieres by intelligent dance music group Mouse on Mars and a piece of music by Argentine composer Martin Matalon set to a Surrealist film masterpiece. more ›

On March 26 Pierre Boulez will turn 85, but the the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is celebrating a couple months early, devoting all its January performances to one of the most important musicians of the past century. Boulez's relationship with the CSO began in 1969 when he first conducted the orchestra, and he was designated the principal guest conductor from 1995 until becoming conductor emeritus in 2006. Besides his conducting accomplishments - Boulez was also the Cleveland Orchestra's principal guest conductor, as well as at one time the music director of both the New York Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestra - Boulez is also one of the foremost modernist composers, a leading purveyor and theorist of modern music, and has taught at University of Basel, Harvard University, and the Collège de France. He's had a full 85 years. more ›

With last weekend's Lyric Opera season opener, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's first concert and gala coming up this weekend (tickets are still available for both, by the way), the 2009-2010 classical season has hit the ground running. If there was any doubt about it, check out these great chamber music offerings over the weekend (and Monday) as the concert music year gets in full swing. more ›