Key Takeaways
- September 2026 at Symphony Center features two Chicago Symphony Orchestra programs: Petr Popelka with Hilary Hahn (Sept. 17–19) and Klaus Mäkelä conducting Sibelius and Shostakovich (Sept. 24–26).
- The Mäkelä residency marks an early look at the Zell Music Director Designate before his tenure begins in September 2027.
- The September 24–26 program pairs Sibelius’s Symphony No. 7 with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4, creating a focused, conductor-driven evening without a soloist.
- Tickets for the Mäkelä dates start at $55.00 including fees, with Thursday evening, Friday matinee, and Saturday evening options.
- OnesToWatch Live connects readers with vetted ticket links and context for classical programs like these Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts.
Explore CSO Tickets for September 24–26
Ticket Dates And Links For Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich
Klaus Mäkelä’s first fall 2026 residency dates with the CSO center on three performances of Sibelius’s Seventh and Shostakovich’s Fourth. These are the key nights for listeners who want to hear the incoming music director before his tenure officially begins.
Thursday, September 24, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
Get Tickets for Thursday, Sept. 24
Friday, September 25, 2026 — 1:30 PM
Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
Get Tickets for Friday, Sept. 25 Matinee
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — 7:30 PM
Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
Get Tickets for Saturday, Sept. 26
The September 2026 Programs: What Audiences Will Hear
September 2026 offers two contrasting CSO programs at Symphony Center. The Popelka and Hahn program functions as a soloist showcase built around one of the most frequently performed violin concertos. The Mäkelä program functions as a conductor statement, with two large-scale symphonies that highlight his approach to the orchestra.
The September 17–19 program opens with Schumann’s Overture to Manfred, Op. 115, incidental music inspired by Lord Byron’s 1817 poem Manfred. It continues with Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, and closes with Dvořák’s less frequently programmed Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76, whose opus number was assigned by the publisher Simrock; the autograph was originally marked Op. 24.
Hahn, who served as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence from 2021 to 2024, returns for her first appearances with the orchestra since December 2023. She resumed performing in early 2026 after a hiatus caused by a double-pinched nerve and herniated spinal disc, which gives these September dates added weight. On the Mendelssohn concerto, Hahn has said, “I have a hard time picking favorites, but I do love it from a long time ago, because I learned it pretty early when I was a student. And I really like to return to those pieces, because in a way, you remember the whole sequence of events that took you to where you are now.”
The September 24–26 program, titled “Mäkelä Conducts Sibelius & Shostakovich,” pairs Sibelius’s Symphony No. 7, a single-movement work lasting approximately 22 minutes with Shostakovich’s expansive Symphony No. 4. Mäkelä, who recorded the complete Sibelius symphonies for his Decca Classics debut with the Oslo Philharmonic, has described the Seventh as “held together by a sweeping breath, by one big arc.”
The pairing with Shostakovich’s Fourth, a symphony withdrawn from rehearsal in 1936 under Soviet political pressure and not premiered until 30 December 1961, creates a program where both works capture composers at pivotal, high-stakes moments in their careers. For listeners, that framing turns the evening into a study in artistic risk.
Night-By-Night Breakdown: How The Mäkelä Dates Differ
Each Mäkelä performance offers the same core program but a different experience in terms of timing and atmosphere. The outline below helps match a date to a listener’s schedule and preferences.
- Thursday, September 24 — 7:30 PM: The opening night of Mäkelä’s fall residency sets the tone for the run. Expect a roughly two-hour performance with one 20-minute intermission.
- Friday, September 25 — 1:30 PM: The daytime matinee format is less common in the CSO schedule and suits visitors who prefer an afternoon concert followed by an evening in the city. The program length is similar to the evening dates, with one intermission.
- Saturday, September 26 — 7:30 PM: The closing night of the program typically draws a weekend audience and a slightly more dressed-up crowd. Symphony Center does not enforce a strict dress code, so listeners can expect a mix of attire that still feels relaxed.
Past Shows: Petr Popelka & Hilary Hahn (Sept. 17–19)
The following performances had concluded by the time of publication (September 23, 2026) and provide context for the full September arc.
- Thursday, September 17, 2026 — 7:30 PM: Schumann, Mendelssohn, Dvořák; Conductor: Petr Popelka; Soloist: Hilary Hahn, violin
- Friday, September 18, 2026 — 1:30 PM: Schumann, Mendelssohn, Dvořák; Conductor: Petr Popelka; Soloist: Hilary Hahn, violin
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 7:30 PM: Schumann, Mendelssohn, Dvořák; Conductor: Petr Popelka; Soloist: Hilary Hahn, violin
Patterns, Themes, And Season Context
September 2026 functions as a transition snapshot for the CSO. The Popelka and Hahn program shows the orchestra in a familiar, audience-friendly format with a star soloist, a cornerstone concerto, and a guest conductor deepening his rapport with the ensemble. The Mäkelä program shifts focus to a music director designate shaping an identity through two demanding symphonies that keep attention on the podium and the orchestra.
Mäkelä’s three-week fall residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra runs September 24 through October 10, 2026, spanning Sibelius & Shostakovich (Sept. 24–26), Mahler 9 (Oct. 1–4), Petrushka & Belshazzar’s Feast (Oct. 8–9), and the Symphony Ball (Oct. 10). After this fall 2026 residency, he next appears with the CSO on May 13–16, 2027, and then June 17–20, 2027. For listeners following the Mäkelä transition, the September 24–26 dates serve as the starting chapter.
For a broader view of artists shaping live music in 2026, see OnesToWatch’s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch.
Additional Performances And Related Events
- Mäkelä’s fall residency continues into October with Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 and William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, performed with the Chicago Symphony Chorus on October 8 and 9, 2026, with the final performance serving as the CSO’s Symphony Ball gala.
- Hilary Hahn appears with the San Francisco Symphony at its 2026–27 season-opening gala on September 24, 2026, conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero.
- Symphony Center also hosts non-CSO rental events in fall 2026, including Ludovico Einaudi: Solo Piano on October 4–5, 2026, presented by Jam Productions, and Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.
- The Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the CSO’s training ensemble, performs separately at Symphony Center and offers a lower price point for listeners seeking the hall experience at reduced cost.
Practical Reader Guidance
Choosing Between The Two Programs: The Mäkelä dates are the remaining September option at Symphony Center. Listeners interested in the conductor transition narrative or in large-scale symphonic programs without a soloist will find September 24–26 especially relevant.
Getting There: Symphony Center is located at 220 S. Michigan Ave. in the Loop. The nearest CTA “L” station is Adams/Wabash, served by the Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Line Express trains. Red and Blue Line trains stop at Jackson, a short walk away, and multiple bus routes run along Michigan Avenue in front of the building.
Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before curtain to navigate security, find seats, and settle in. For CSO Masterworks concerts, the preconcert conversation is free with admission, requires no separate ticket, and begins 75 minutes before the performance in Orchestra Hall, lasting about 30 minutes.
Dress Code: In practice, audiences lean toward smart casual on weekday evenings, with more formal dress common on Saturdays and for season-opening programs. Neat, comfortable clothing works for any performance.
Seating: Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, seats approximately 2,522 and uses assigned seating. Upper balcony rear seats rank among the more affordable choices and offer a clear acoustic picture for large orchestral works. For accessibility needs, including wheelchair seating and assistive listening devices, contact the CSO box office.
Concert Length: Most Chicago Symphony Orchestra performances run about two hours, including one 20-minute intermission.
Large Print Programs: Large print programs are available for most CSO concerts; ask the nearest usher for assistance.
FAQ
What Is The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s September 2026 Schedule At Symphony Center?
September 2026 includes two CSO programs. The first, September 17–19, features conductor Petr Popelka and violinist Hilary Hahn in Schumann’s Manfred Overture, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 5. The second, September 24–26, features music director designate Klaus Mäkelä conducting Sibelius’s Symphony No. 7 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4. Evening concerts begin at 7:30 PM, and the Friday matinees begin at 1:30 PM.
What Are The Ticket Prices For The Mäkelä September 2026 CSO Concerts?
Tickets for the September 24 and 25 dates start at $55.00 including fees, and the September 26 evening starts from $55.00+ including fees. Tickets for other programs in Klaus Mäkelä’s fall 2026 CSO residency have different starting prices, such as $55+ for Mäkelä Conducts Mahler 9. Prices vary by seat location and availability.
Is There A Dress Code For Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concerts?
According to secondary sources, Symphony Center does not enforce a strict dress code, though many patrons choose to dress up, especially for evening performances. Weekday evenings typically lean toward smart casual, while Saturday nights and season openings bring more formal attire. Comfortable, polished clothing fits in at any concert.
What Is The Best Seat For A First-Time Attendee At Orchestra Hall?
Main floor and lower balcony seats provide the most direct combination of sound and sightlines. Upper balcony rear seats offer a cost-effective option for large orchestral works and still deliver strong sound. Avoid listings flagged as restricted or obstructed view, and contact the CSO box office for accessibility seating.
Why Are The Mäkelä September 2026 Dates Significant?
Klaus Mäkelä serves as Zell Music Director Designate of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and begins his tenure as Zell Music Director in September 2027 at the start of the 2027/28 season. His fall 2026 residency, running September 24 through October 10, provides a concentrated early view of his work with the orchestra. After this residency, he does not return to the CSO podium until May 2027. The September 24–26 program, pairing Sibelius’s Symphony No. 7 with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4, opens that residency and frames his first extended statement in Chicago.
Conclusion
For listeners choosing a single September date, the Mäkelä program on September 24, 25, or 26 stands out as the editorial recommendation. It is the remaining September option, it opens a pivotal conductor residency in the CSO’s fall calendar, and it presents Sibelius’s Seventh alongside Shostakovich’s Fourth in a way that rewards focused listening. Tickets follow the $55 starting price structure and remain available at the time of writing.
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