How great is the academic calendar?^[1] We thought about getting a PhD solely so we could be on that schedule. Unfortunately, carving out a career as a college professor is as daunting as...well, as being an orchestral musician. more ›

A key talking point in the communications surrounding the hiring of Riccardo Muti as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was the importance of engaging the community beyond the slender slice of socioeconomic pie that is the traditional classical music audience. We're cynics by nature, so we reacted to Muti's Euro-charming press conference pronouncements like Larry David eyeballing a suspected liar. But much to our pleasant surprise, the Muti-era CSO has been following through on their lofty promises. more ›

During the course of this morning’s Chicago Symphony Orchestra rehearsal, Maestro Muti fainted and was taken to the hospital. He is currently under a physician’s care. At this time, we do not have any further information about his condition. more ›

New Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director Riccardo Muti, who recently withdrew from his inaugural residency due to an illness previously described as "extreme gastric distress," has been released from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy. According to the CSO's written statement, the diagnosis was extreme exhaustion that "manifested itself in abdominal pain and other physical symptoms." more ›

With new CSO music director Riccardo Muti boarding a plane for Milan this evening to consult with his doctors, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's October plans have been torn asunder. We try to sort out the ramifications below: more ›

To say that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is excited about Riccardo Muti, who turns 69 today, taking over as music director this fall is to plunge to the depths of understatement. The CSO has been without a full-time music director since Daniel Barenboim's departure in June 2006, and while the orchestra hasn't been rudderless - eminent musicians Pierre Boulez and Bernard Haitink have been frequent guests - having a consistent leader will help the ensemble evolve its unique voice. And Muti's virtues go far beyond just filling a void: in Muti, the CSO is getting an established musical presence at a time when other major orchestras are rolling the dice on promising whippersnappers with shorter track records, like the New York Philharmonic's 43-year-old Music Director Alan Gilbert, the Philadelphia Orchestra's 35-year-old Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 29-year-old Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. So, there's good reason for the CSO to be excited, or borderline obsessive, even. We won't be so understanding if we happen upon a creepy shrine in some tucked-away corner of Orchestra Hall, but for now there's only this benign, if goofy, video sending Muti birthday well-wishes. more ›

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra released its schedule yesterday of all classical, jazz, and world music concerts happening at Symphony Center during the 2010-2011 season, as well as the general plans for Riccardo Muti's first season as the CSO's tenth music director. more ›

Ah yes, the loyal Chicagoist readers. Perhaps we don't let you know how much you mean to us as often as we should, but your devotion - reading our site on a national holiday, no less! - will be rewarded, for now you are the only ones who will be reminded to reserve your tickets tomorrow for the free events at Symphony Center on October 17. more ›

Late summer is here, which for many classical musicians is one of the few times of year without commitments. At the conclusion of last Saturday's concert at Ravinia, members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra were mercifully unchained from their endowed chairs and allowed a few weeks of freedom. more ›