Beethoven's Seventh with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven, and more

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, established in 1891 by Theodore Thomas, stands as a top American orchestra, renowned for precision and rich sound. It gained prominence under conductors like Fritz Reiner, who started its recording legacy, and Sir Georg Solti, substantially boosting its global acclaim and record sales. Their works with Mahler and Bruckner became iconic. Solti won the most Grammy Awards of any musician. The orchestra continuously reissues past revered recordings, maintaining its legacy. Recently, artists like Jessie Montgomery and Hilary Hahn collaborated with the ensemble.

Born in Massachusetts and raised in Sweden and Finland, conductor Herbert Blomstedt is renowned for Romantic and early 20th-century works, especially Scandinavian composers. A prizewinner and longtime director of major orchestras in Europe and the U.S., he’s recorded 125+ albums, noted for Brahms, Nielsen, Bruckner, and Berwald.