EarRelevant Staff | 3 APR 2024
Chicago, IL— The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) has announced the appointment of Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä as the next music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), marking the eleventh in the ensemble’s 133-year history.
The decision, unanimously approved by the CSOA Board of Trustees, follows a comprehensive selection process led by the CSOA Music Director Search Committee. Mäkelä, currently serving as chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic and music director of the Orchestre de Paris, will begin his tenure as CSO’s music director in September 2027, which coincides with his inauguration as chief conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Mäkelä will be 31 when he assumes the role.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Mäkelä stated, “I am honored to have been chosen as Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and inspired to embark on this journey with an orchestra that combines such brilliance, power, and passion.”
CSOA president Jeff Alexander commended Mäkelä’s exceptional connection with the musicians and profound musical talent. “It quickly became clear that he was the ideal choice to lead the orchestra into the future,” Alexander said.
In anticipation of his tenure, Mäkelä will immediately begin service as music director designate. He will engage with the orchestra during this transition period, gradually increasing his involvement over the coming seasons.
During his upcoming visit to Chicago on April 4–6, 2024, Mäkelä will conduct the CSO in three subscription concerts featuring a program combining Sauli Zinovjev’s Batteria with Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony and Cello Concerto No. 1, featuring cellist Sol Gabetta in her CSO debut.
As part of his transition, Mäkelä is scheduled to lead two weeks of subscription concerts in the 2024/25 season. The featured repertoire includes Mahler’s Third Symphony and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2. CSO Artist-in-Residence Daniil Trifonov will be the soloist. Mäkelä will gradually extend his involvement in subsequent seasons leading up to his official tenure.
Mäkelä’s appointment reflects the CSO’s commitment to maintaining its legacy of distinguished music directors, which includes renowned figures such as Theodore Thomas, Sir Georg Solti, and Riccardo Muti, the immediate past music director emeritus for life.
The CSO, hailed as one of the world’s great orchestras, continues to enrich its vast repertoire, performing over 150 concerts annually. With Mäkelä at the helm, the orchestra looks forward to embarking on a new chapter of musical excellence. ■
Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by guest conductor Klaus Mäkelä, February 2023. (credit: Todd Rosenberg)
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Klaus Mäkelä: klausmakela.com
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra: cso.org
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