Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1891 by Theodore Thomas, who conducted it until his death in 1905. Orchestra Hall was built for it in 1904 with funds raised by public subscription; the hall is now part of Symphony Center, which was completed in 1997. Frederick Stock, Thomas's assistant, succeeded him and conducted the orchestra until 1942. Rafael Kubelík, its conductor from 1950 to 1953, was followed by Fritz Reiner, who conducted until his death in 1963. Sir Georg Solti conducted from 1968 to 1990 and was succeeded in 1991 by Daniel Barenboim who served as its conductor until 2006. Bernard Haitink later acted as interim conductor, and in 2008 Ricardo Muti was named principal conductor, beginning in 2010. The orchestra plays a summer season at Ravinia Park in the suburbs north of Chicago.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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