Fanfare Magazine is the official program book magazine of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, published in partnership with Cincinnati Magazine. Within its pages, you will find content to help shape your understanding of the music you will experience, stories of the people who work on and off the stage, and information about organization-wide initiatives and developments.
As part of the CSO’s ongoing commitment to digital storytelling and innovation, we have expanded Fanfare Magazine to include an online platform for our program book content, which contains all the information found in the printed Fanfare Magazine, plus a host of complementary digital-only content, such as videos, links to additional material and articles, up-to-the-minute information, and so much more. The digital program is concert specific and is available for viewing several weeks in advance of a concert. So, you can explore the digital program before coming down to Music Hall.
The CSO & Pops hopes you find inspiration within these pages and within the music—past, present and future—that reverberates at Music Hall and in the community. It is our honor and privilege to share these stories with you.
Early spring is always an exciting time in the life of any orchestra, the time when the next season of programming is announced. But this year in Cincinnati, season announcement time is extra special, as the CSO reveals details of Cristian Mӑcelaru’s inaugural season as Music Director.
ON THE COVER: Members of the Classical Roots Community Choir performing as part of the 2024 Classical Roots program.
In a season brimming with exceptional talent, February is set to be a highlight for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, as it welcomes back two passionate music makers: Cristian Măcelaru, Music Director Designate, and Randall Goosby, the 2025 Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC) Music Innovator. The MAC Music Innovator program, a yearlong residency with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, shines a spotlight on Black classical musicians who exemplify artistry, innovation, and a commitment to education and community engagement.
Cristian Măcelaru discusses the programs he’s conducting next season, his first as CSO Music Director
For many of us, the New Year marks the beginning of a new chapter. It is no different for the CSO. In February, the CSO begins a new chapter as the Orchestra welcomes back Cristian Mӑcelaru, Music Director Designate, for the first time since his appointment in April 2024. Fanfare Magazine continues its ongoing series of getting to know Mӑcelaru.
ON THE COVER: Cristian Măcelaru, Music Director Designate of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Credit: Claudia Hershner
ON THE COVER: Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell.
On the Cover: Concertmaster Stefani Matsuo
Read the tale of how the CSO found its 14th Music Director and discover the person behind the title.
CSO Music Director Louis Langrée.
Left: Langrée conducting the CSO during Lumenocity 2013 (Credit: Mark Lyons). Middle: Langrée conducting Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront (Credit: JP Leong). Right: Langrée conducts the CSO at the 2017 Open House for the newly renovated Music Hall (Credit: Mark Lyons)
On the Cover: Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell
The Dream of America and the idea of the American “mosaic” are behind the Cincinnati Pops’ April 12–14 concerts.
On the Cover: Music Director Louis Langrée who will conclude his tenure with the CSO at the end of the 2023-24 season. At the conclusion of the current season, Louis will serve as Music Director Laureate through the 2027-28 season.
ON THE COVER: Standing at the entry to Eden Park is the iconic Elsinore Arch. In 1883, Cincinnati Water Works needed a new valve house near Eden Park. As the story goes, Music Hall hosted a Shakespearean Dramatic Festival in the spring of 1883, during which Hamlet was performed. A large (65-by-65 foot) beautifully painted backdrop of Elsinore Castle was part of the production. This backdrop became the inspiration behind the Elsinore Arch, which Charles B. Hannaford, son of Samuel Hannaford of the architectural firm Samuel Hannaford & Sons, built in late 1883. Samuel Hannaford was the architect for Cincinnati Music Hall and City Hall.
Welcome to our 2023–24 season and Louis Langrée’s final season as Music Director of our Orchestra.
On the Cover: CSO Music Director Louis Langrée
Writer David Lyman highlights the many exciting concerts that are ahead in the 2023-24 concert season. We hear from Louis Langrée about his final season as Music Director and JMR shares his inspiration for the season.
One the Cover Music for All: Music Director Louis Langrée, Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, Nouveau Program coach Marion Peraza and Assistant Conductors Samuel Lee and Daniel Wiley, with members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, Diversity Fellowship and Nouveau Program. Credit: Claudia Hershner
On the Cover Principal French Horn Elizabeth Freimuth
Catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra prioritized and accelerated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and digital innovation efforts in its aim to become the most relevant orchestra in America.
On the Cover Music Director Louis Langrée.
On the Cover New Faces of the Orchestra—On Stage and Behind the Scenes
Welcome to the 2022–23 season! The cover of this issue of Fanfare Magazine is symbolic, as we have taken to heart the all-encompassing themes of resurrection and renewal.
Explore the our summer digital stories.
ON THE COVER Celebrating 10 Years with John Morris Russell
ON THE COVER In celebration of Women’s History month, the issue contains a few of the many stories centered on women of the CSO and Pops.
ON THE COVER The annual CSO/CSYO Side-by-Side concert. Read more about the January and February 2022 concerts.
ON THE COVER CeCe Winans joins the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for its annual Classical Roots concert March 6. Read more about Ms. Winans and the concert—a celebration of the rich and diverse African-American musical experience—in her Fanfare Spotlight article.
ON THE COVER The celebration of the CSO’s 125th anniversary continues this month, with two exciting weekends under the baton of Louis Langrée, including a fully staged version of Ravel’s l’Enfant et les sortilèges and the recreation of the complete Beethoven Akademie of 1808.
ON THE COVER The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra was born 125 years ago in January 1895, and this month’s concerts and events are a celebration of that milestone and of those who have built a legacy of excellence that will endure long into the future.
ON THE COVER Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell invites you to experience Cincinnati’s favorite holiday music tradition, Dec. 13–15, in a Music Hall beautifully adorned for the season. Tony-nominated star Megan Hilty, along with choirs, dancers and Santa himself, will help spread the holiday joy.
ON THE COVER Thomas Wilkins returns to Music Hall to lead the CSO in its “American Life” concerts Nov. 15–16, which feature five works by African-American composers past and present. Pianist Louis Schwizgebel performs Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement.
ON THE COVER Louis Langrée leads the CSO in the world premiere of the Symphony No. 6 by Christopher Rouse, music commissioned by the Orchestra for this 125th Anniversary season, Oct. 18–19.
ON THE COVER Anne-Sophie Mutter is a musical phenomenon. For more than 40 years the virtuoso has been a fixture in all of the world’s major concert halls, making her mark on the classical music scene as soloist, mentor and visionary. The four-time Grammy® Award winner performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto Sept. 28–29.
ON THE COVER John Morris Russell (JMR) conducts the Cincinnati Pops on July 4 at Riverbend for the Orchestra’s annual Red, White and BOOM concert spectacular! Joining him at center stage will be Tony-nominated vocalist Montego Glover, the Six-String Soldiers of the U.S. Army Field Band and the Cincinnati Pops Chorale.
ON THE COVER Grammy-winning Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has made a spectacular ascent in the classical music world as a solo artist, champion of the concerto repertoire, chamber and vocal collaborator, and composer. He makes his CSO debut May 3–4 performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5.
ON THE COVER Esther Yoo, the violinist recently listed as one of Classic FM’s Top 30 Artists under 30 and acclaimed for her “dark, aristocratic tone” (Gramophone) and “balanced grace” (The Herald), will make her CSO debut Mar 30–31, performing Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto.
ON THE COVER CSO Music Director Louis Langrée will take audiences on a journey from America to France and back again with a program of works including Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Varèse’s Amériques, Barber’s Violin Concerto and Ravel’s Tzigane Mar 15–16.