The Chicago Symphony, founded in 1891, is frequently ranked as one of the world's top orchestras. Renowned for its distinct brass prowess, the CSO is known to music lovers outside Chicago through tours, radio broadcasts, and recordings by music director Daniel Barenboim and principal guest conductor-director Pierre Boulez, among others. Recordings by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have been awarded 56 Grammy Awards, more than any other orchestra in the world. Here's a selected list of concerts from the first half of the season. Check out our recommended recordings of works being played. For more information on the Chicago Symphony and how to order tickets, call (312) 294-3000 or visit their Web site at www.chicagosymphony.org.

November 26, 27, 30, 1999

Pierre Boulez, conductor;
Joanna MacGregor, piano
Stravinsky, Four Etudes for Orchestra; Manoury, Sound and Fury (World Premiere); Stravinsky, Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments; R.
Strauss, Le bourgeois Gentilhomme, Orchestral Suite

December 2-5, 7, 1999
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Webern, Five Movements; Boulez, Livre pour cordes; Bruckner, Symphony No. 9

December 9-11, 1999

Pierre Boulez, conductor;
Christine Schäfer, soprano
Berg, Selections from Lulu Suite; Debussy, Three Ballades of Villon; Debussy, Le jet d'eau; Stravinsky, The Firebird

December 16-18, 1999

Peter Schreier, conductor;
CSO Chorus
Bach, Christmas Oratorio (Parts 1-3)

December 31, 1999

William Eddins, conductor;
Andrea Marcovicci, vocalist
Millennium New Year's Eve Gala (TBA)

January 6-8, 2000

Daniel Barenboim, conductor;
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Thomas, Ceremonial (World Premiere); Dvorák, Cello Concerto; Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

January 20, 21, 22, 25, 2000

Daniel Barenboim, conductor;
CSO Chorus
Mozart, Mass in C ("Coronation"); Bruckner, Mass No. 3 in f

January 27-29, 2000