Sir Mark Elder to Lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

World renowned orchestral conductor Sir Mark Elder returns to lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in three unique programs in March. Elder, who is currently music director of The Hallé orchestra in Manchester, has made regular appearances with the CSO since his subscription debut in 1983.

On Thursday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. Elder leads the CSO in a program which pays homage to two of England's greatest composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Sir Edward Elgar. Two works by Vaughan Williams open the program and include the Overture to The Wasps and Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus", a setting of an English folk tune based on the biblical parable.

Completing the program is Elgar's celebrated Symphony No. 1, a work dedicated to his friend Hans Richter, the German-born, American artist and filmmaker.

Elder and the CSO go on to explore works by three Eastern European composers - Dvořák, Bartόk and Janáček with pianist Jeremy Denk as the featured soloist in Bartόk's Piano Concerto No. 2 in subscription concerts on Thursday, March 10 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. Elder also leads a Beyond the Score® program highlighting the life and work of Czech composer Leoš Janáček on March 11 and 13.

Works include Dvořák's Scherzo capriccioso, as well as Janáček's Suite from The Cunning Little Vixen and the tumultuous orchestral rhapsody Taras Bulba.

Completing this program is Bartόk's Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring Jeremy Denk as soloist -- one of today's most sought-after concert pianists.

Tickets for all Sir Mark Elder concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra can be purchased by phone at (800) 223‑7114 or (312) 294‑3000; online at the CSO's official website, or at the Symphony Center box office: 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604.

Discounted student tickets for select concerts can be purchased, subject to availability, online in advance or at the box office on the day of the concert.