The Conductors

Learn the origin of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s high musical standards, as the story of the CSO’s founding is told by host John Hagstrom and Frank Villella, director of the CSO’s Rosenthal Archives. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association President Jeff Alexander also shares his perspective, and several current and former CSO musicians speak about maintaining and building the orchestra’s standards of excellence. InterMISSION @ the CSO is produced by CSO trumpet John Hagstrom and sound editor/mixer Rich Sigler.

Six CSO musicians describe the power of sharing music with audiences of all ages, while working with a commitment for unified impact. As they also anticipate the return of live concerts again, each also describes the timeless power of the orchestra to connect with listeners. InterMISSION @ the CSO is produced by CSO trumpet John Hagstrom and sound editor/mixer Rich Sigler.

Larry Neuman has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra‘s viola section since 1991. He tells his own story of getting to the CSO and offers advice for young musicians aspiring to become professional performers. He describes the intensity of hearing live concerts, how the caring and commitment of each player builds a unified sound, and the importance of the CSO’s contribution to Chicago. 

Jennifer Gunn has been a Chicago Symphony Orchestra member since 2005, performing on the flute and piccolo. She shares the dramatic story of how she won the audition for her position and pays tribute to Walfrid Kujala, her famous predecessor. She also gives advice to aspiring performers; explains how she prepares her parts in advance of rehearsals; and talks about why she loves the live CSO concert experience.

Several Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians share stories about how they turn the risks of performing into the rewards of expressing great musical energy to the audience. They reveal a few places in the orchestra’s repertoire that can be troublesome, and how they approach these risky moments to perform at their best!

James Smelser has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's horn section since the year 2000. He shares what many years of experience have taught him about playing second horn parts to maintain the high musical expectations of the CSO. He recalls fond memories of playing for 13 years next to the orchestra’s former principal horn, Dale Clevenger, and describes the role he now also occupies as the chairman of the CSO Members Committee. 

CSO musicians James Smelser (horn), Jennifer Gunn (flute & piccolo), Patricia Dash (percussion), Lawrence Neuman (viola), John Bruce Yeh (clarinet) and Esteban Batallán (trumpet) speak about the subject of working collaboratively with conductors, including the excellence Music Director Riccardo Muti brings to the Orchestra; memories of how former Music Director Sir Georg Solti challenged musicians to raise standards; and how CSO players work to build energy and excellence into each concert. Musical excerpts include CSO recordings of Mahler, Brahms, Mozart, R. Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Liszt, Bruckner, Ravel, Smetana and Stravinsky. For more information, visit cso.org/intermission.

Welcome to interMISSION@theCSO, a new podcast from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring our musicians in behind-the-scenes conversations about what it takes to make this one of the world’s greatest orchestras. New episodes begin this fall.