Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces 75th Season Classics Series

Guest soloists to include returning guitarist Ana Vidovic, pianist Joyce Yang,
ESO Principal Cellist Matthew Agnew, violinist Stella Chen, violinist Samuel Vargas 

(February 15, 2024, Elgin, Ill.) – Elgin Symphony Orchestra has unveiled the first in its line-up of extraordinary programming to commemorate the Orchestra’s 75th anniversary. The ESO’s Classics Series was announced today, with subscription sales for the entire six-concert series going on sale Tuesday, Feb. 20. This is the first season that has been programmed entirely by Chad Goodman, who was named Music Director at the ESO last May.

“The 75th anniversary season is a celebration year for us, and we’ve found multiple opportunities throughout the season to go all out,” Goodman said. “In addition to many exciting new pieces, the season is filled with gateway pieces that made people fall in love with classical music, such as Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’ Symphony, Ravel’s ‘Bolero’, and Holst’s ‘The Planets’. For many people these were the pieces that introduced them to, and made them fall in love with, classical music.

“There is something on every program that is very special,” he added.

The virtuosity of the award-winning ESO will be showcased throughout the season that includes performances of masterworks by Beethoven, Grieg, Dvořák, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Holst. Additionally, audiences will have the opportunity to witness performances by renowned guest soloists, including violinist Stella Chen, who was named the 2023 Gramophone Young Artist of the Year; Albert Augustine International Competition winner guitarist Ana Vidovic, whose season-opening performance will be her second appearance with the ESO; Sphinx Competition winner violinist Samuel Vargas; a return appearance of Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang; and the ESO’s own Principal Cellist Matthew Agnew; as well as a collaboration with the Elgin Master Chorale.

Additional programming and special events for the ESO’s 75th season will be announced at a later date.

Classics Series subscriptions are available beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20, by calling the ESO Box Office at (847) 888-4000. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Current ESO subscribers may renew their subscription by logging into their accounts on the ESO website, www.ElginSymphony.org.

The ESO’s Classics Series includes:

Bolero!

Saturday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Ana Vidovic, guitar

Program includes:

ORTIZ                      “Kauyumari”
FALLA                      “Suite from The Three-Cornered Hat”
RODRIGO               “Fantasia para un gentilhombre”
RAVEL                     “Bolero”

Joyce Yang plays Grieg

Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Joyce Yang, piano

Program includes:

GRIEG                     Piano Concerto
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 7

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony

Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Matthew Agnew, cello

Program includes:

SAINT-SAËNS                         Cello Concerto No. 1
TCHAIKOVSKY                        Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”

Beethoven Violin Concerto

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Stella Chen, violin

Program includes:

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS           Symphony No. 5
BEETHOVEN                           Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky & Sibelius

Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Samuel Vargas, violin

Program includes:

TCHAIKOVSKY                        Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS                 Symphony No. 5

The Planets

Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Chad Goodman, conductor
Women of the Elgin Master Chorale

Program includes:

HOLST                                     “The Planets”

About the Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is one of the preeminent regional orchestras in the United States, led by Chad Goodman, who was named the ESO’s Music Director – the fifth in the Orchestra’s history – in May 2023.

Since its founding in 1950, the organization has developed a reputation for artistic excellence, and innovative programming as demonstrated through its long history of highlighting the works of world-renowned conductors, composers, and musicians, and of promoting the advancement of women in the arts.

The ESO became a professional ensemble in 1985 in good part due to the leadership of the late Margaret Hillis, who served as the ESO’s music director from 1971 to 1985. Hillis was one of the first females to break through the male-dominated world of conducting and is credited with being the impetus behind the creation of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association, the formation of the ESO’s volunteer core – the Elgin Symphony League, and the start of the ESO’s commitment to music education and enrichment for youth.

Today, the ESO continues to draw its creativity and artistry from the Elgin area and gives back to the community through its Adopt-a-School program that provides supplemental music education and in-school performances to local schools; Musicians Care program that brings live music performances to local hospitals, hospices, and retirement homes; informational Listener’s Club events and other free programs at public libraries; In Harmony Program in places of worship; Ainsworth Concerts for Youth; free tickets for youth under 18; open rehearsals; and free community concerts throughout the region.

The Illinois Council of Orchestras has named the ESO Orchestra of the Year four times (1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016).

The ESO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

To learn more or to support the ESO, visit www.elginsymphony.org.