BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Internationally acclaimed and one of America’s finest, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will perform at IU Auditorium on Wednesday, March 12 at 8 p.m. Members and administrators from the CSO will also take part in a three-day residency with IU and K12 students as well as the local community during their time in Bloomington. The orchestra features nine musicians that graduated from Indiana University.

 

About the Performance

Celebrating over 125 years of diverse work and talent, the orchestra’s IU Auditorium program will include Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Copland’s Symphony No. 3. The performance will feature renowned pianist George Li with Matthias Pintscher conducting.

 

“We look forward to welcoming back the acclaimed Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to the IU Auditorium stage,” said IU Auditorium Executive Director, Maria Talbert. “Their stirring performances and impeccable musicianship will bring a truly unforgettable evening to Bloomington and our audience.”

 

Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto churns with uber-romantic melodies and Unsuk Chin’s music delights in contrasts. Copland’s last symphony, ringing with bells and brass, will conclude this magnificent evening. The finale builds on Fanfare for the Common Man—an enduring masterpiece written for and premiered by the CSO at their home, Music Hall—signaling the culmination and convergence of the composer’s entire career.

 

This year’s performance marks the first time that the CSO has performed live at IU Auditorium in 48 years, last visiting in October of 1977.

 

Bloomington Residency (Complete Residency Schedule)

During their stay, the CSO will administer an immersive educational experience with students from the IU Jacobs School of Music, the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance, local K12 students, and more. Orchestra members and administrators will offer a robust residency including a wide variety of masterclasses, side-by-side rehearsals, reading sessions, administration and performance conversations, local school visits, and so much more. See full schedule linked above for entire list of the nearly 30 planned events and interactions.

 

Indiana University Alumni

Nine members of the CSO attended the Jacobs School of Music including Ronald Aufmann (base clarinet), Rose Brown (violin), Rebecca Kruger Fryxell (violin), Nicholas Mariscal (cello), Joseph Ohkubo (violin), Jonathan Yi (violin), Chika Kinderman (violin), Rebecca Pancner (piccolo), Christopher Fischer (viola), and Noah Roper (bass trombone).

 

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at IU Auditorium is presented in partnership with WFIU. IU Auditorium’s 2024–2025 season is presented by B97, Cook Medical, Curry Auto Center, The Herald Times, Upland Brewing Company, and World Arts Inc.