For Immediate Release: Press Contacts: April 29, 2016 Eileen Chambers, 312-294-3092 Photos Available By Request
[email protected] DONALD RUNNICLES LEADS CSO IN PROGRAM OF WORKS BY ELGAR, STRAUSS, AND BRITTEN May 5, 7 and 10, 2016 CHICAGO—Conductor Donald Runnicles leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in concerts on Thursday, May 5, at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. The program includes Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonia da requiem, Richard Strauss’ gripping tone poem Death and Transfiguration, and Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Britten’s Sinfonia da requiem, opens the program. Written in 1940 as a commission for the 2600th anniversary celebrations of the Japanese emperor Hirohito’s ruling dynasty, the piece went unused for the occasion due to its notably mournful tone. Britten’s beautifully orchestrated and strikingly powerful work was later premiered by the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall in 1941. The program continues with one of Richard Strauss’ early tone poems, Death and Transfiguration, which traces a man’s journey through the pain of death to his eventual redemption. Concluding the evening’s program is Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 (Enigma) which contains 14 charming and witty musical portraits of the composer’s circle of acquaintances and one of Elgar himself. Arguably one of the most popular English classical works of the 20th century, the Enigma Variations was given its U.S. premiere by the CSO in 1902. Internationally renowned conductor Donald Runnicles serves as General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Chief Conductor of BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival, as well as Principal Guest Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.