Emanuel Ax and Chicago Symphony Orchestra

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 Lvov, Poland, Emanuel Ax is a celebrated pianist known for his classical repertoire and collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma. He won the Arthur Rubinstein Competition in 1974 and the Avery Fisher Prize in 1979. Ax's recordings have earned him multiple Grammy Awards, and he frequently performs with renowned orchestras and at prestigious festivals like Ravinia and Tanglewood. He has recorded for the Sony Classical label and teaches at Juilliard.