The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, is one of the so-called "Big Five" American orchestras and ranks among the most celebrated ensembles in the world. Based at Symphony Center in Chicago, it gives more than 150 concerts a year and has made 65 international tours across five continents since 1892. Its recording legacy is extraordinary: the CSO and Chorus have earned 65 Grammy Awards, many of them accumulated under music director Georg Solti, who led the orchestra for 22 years. Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä was named the orchestra's 11th music director in April 2024 and begins his formal tenure in 2027.
The CSO announced its 2026/27 season, including an eight-city European tour in January 2027 under music director designate Klaus Mäkelä, visiting Vienna, Hamburg, Paris, Cologne, Baden-Baden and Luxembourg.
Robert Kahn was named assistant conductor of the CSO for the 2026-27 season, supported by the Solti Foundation U.S.
Klaus Mäkelä conducted the CSO in a December 2025 program pairing Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 with new works by Unsuk Chin and Jörg Widmann, alongside pianist Yunchan Lim.
The CSO completed a five-city European tour under guest conductor Jaap van Zweden, including debut appearances in Prague and Wrocław.
Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä was named the CSO's 11th music director, with his formal tenure as Zell Music Director set to begin in the 2027-28 season.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Klaus Mäkelä performs in Cologne.
World-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.