“Alex Klein, former principal oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, is expected to return to his old position, having won the audition for that coveted post on Friday, according to music director Riccardo Muti,” writes John von Rhein in Monday’s (6/27) Chicago Tribune. “CSO Association publicist Eileen Chambers confirmed that Klein, one of the world’s foremost oboists, won the audition.… It has yet to be determined when he will rejoin the orchestra. Hired by then-music director Daniel Barenboim in 1995, the Brazilian-born Klein was forced to step down from the CSO in 2004 because of playing difficulties caused by focal hand dystonia, a nerve disorder affecting the third and fourth fingers of his left hand. His oboe has since been equipped with special keys that enable him to play without stress. Klein, 52, made a favorable impression when he sat in as principal oboe in April for CSO performances of the Mahler Fourth Symphony under Muti.”
Posted June 27, 2016
