Proud of its heritage as the former Symphony II, founded in 1991, the Chicago Philharmonic orchestra carries on the tradition and mission, now entering its 18th consecutive season (2007-08) at N.U.'s Pick-Staiger Hall, in Evanston.
This is the same orchestra that repeatedly won accolades from music critics and audiences, and was named by the Illinois Council of Orchestras as "Orchestra of the Year" for 2001- 02.
Although still relatively young as an organization, the orchestra has unusual strengths: The end of the six-month Lyric Opera season makes available to the Chicago area a group of superb career musicians, meticulously screened from among the best for one of the country's most coveted assignments, the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Top-flight musicians who play together over time develop a special coherence of ensemble virtuosity, as so clearly exhibited by this orchestra's cadre of professionals. In addition, many of these musicians have performed with the American Ballet Theater, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.
In every season's concert series, listeners will experience:
Our Mission
Meet the Music Director
Larry Rachleff will mark his eighteenth season as our Music Director and Principal Conductor. He also serves as Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony, as Music Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and Director of Rice University's Shepherd School Orchestra in Houston.
Mr. Rachleff has appeared as guest conductor with such prestigious orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Seattle Symphony, the Houston Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
In 1988 he served as music director of the American-Soviet Youth Orchestra tour. He has conducted the Chopin Academy Orchestra in Warsaw, the Sydney and Queenland Australia Conservatory Orchestra, and led the Camerata Australia on their tour of Japan.
He spent recent summers guest conducting at Aspen, Tanglewood, the National Music Camp at Interlochen, the Music Academy of the West with the National Repertory Orchestra and Breckenridge Chamber Orchestra, and as music director of the Sunflower Music Festival in Kansas.
As a champion of public school music education, Mr. Rachleff has conducted All-State orchestras and festivals in virtually every state in the United States, as well as in Europe and Canada. As a proponent of contemporary music, he has collaborated with composers Samuel Adler, Luciano Berio, George Crumb, Dan Welcher and John Harbison.
Reviewers have been impressed. The Houston Chronicle hailed Mr. Rachleff's concert with the Houston Symphony as "a wonderful polished performance... conducted with beauty and insight." The Chicago Tribune in commenting on a Rachleff-led Symphony II performance stated, "He integrated his frequent tempo adjustments into seamless paragraphs and textures so clean that inner voices projected clearly.." Wynne Delacoma of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "... under his baton, this orchestra sings."
Mr. Rachleff is married to soprano Susan Lorette Dunn.
Established and rising stars as guest artists and conductors;
Diverse, audience-friendly programming that will captivate both experienced aficionados and listeners new to classical music;
The acoustic warmth of Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, and a sense of intimacy that brings audience and performers together as participants in an exciting musical experience.
The Chicago Philharmonic is a not-for-profit symphonic orchestra, composed of career professional musicians, that serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
The ensemble is dedicated to building new audiences for serious music by offering moderately priced concerts, at the highest professional level, in convenient venues. Its presentations of the full range of symphonic works embody the excitement of live performances and exemplify a special relationship between performers and audiences.
In addition, we undertake educational outreach programs and non-concert events designed to enhance public appreciation of the art form. For more info click here.
The organization consistently administers its affairs in a fiscally responsible manner.
