Edward Gardner: quietly impressive in Chicago

Edward Gardner conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Joyce DiDonato

Edward Gardner conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Por Graham Meyer, 08 mayo 2026

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Crítica hecha desde Chicago Symphony Center, Chicago el 7 mayo 2026

Barber, First Essay for Orchestra, Op.12

Lieberson, Canciones de Neruda

Walton, Sinfonía núm. 1 en si bemol menor

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Edward Gardner, Dirección

Joyce DiDonato, Mezzosoprano

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***11

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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Music Director Designate juxtaposes his Finnish countryman's music on their shared national epic, the Kalevala, with the heroic life limned in the tone poem of Richard Strauss.

****1

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*****

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****1

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Polished Ravel x 2 from Alice Sara Ott with the Chicago Symphony

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Graham Meyer

Graham is a Chicago-based arts and culture journalist, covering all forms of live performance, and specializing in classical music. His work has appeared extensively in Chicago magazine and Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as in The Chicago Tribune and at Chicago Classical Review. He has also covered dining and restaurants, winning a City and Regional Magazine Award for the restaurant newsletter Dish. Semi-professionally, he sings baritone in the choir Vox Venti, plays amateur piano, and composes music, especially choral. Apart from music, he constructs crossword puzzles and plays competitive bridge with his teenage daughter.