The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Cristian Măcelaru.
In Thursday’s (2/26) Cincinnati Business Courier, Janelle Gelfand writes, “Cristian Măcelaru has an array of star-studded programs on tap for his second season as Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director in 2026-27. Soloists for the season announced Feb. 26 include trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and violinist Nicola Benedetti in a weeklong residency…. Piano superstar Lang Lang will return … Măcelaru said he balanced his programs between tried-and-true offerings of the symphonic repertoire and new works by living composers…. He wanted to stay true to a community that is ‘diverse and vibrant and interested in exploring the new.’… The season-opening concert on Oct. 2 will include Marsalis’ Symphony No. 5, ‘Liberty,’ a CSO co-commission … Măcelaru will conduct nine subscription weekends … Music Director Laureate Louis Langrée will return for two programs … Măcelaru will conduct several notable premieres, among them the U.S. premiere of Mark Simpson’s Piano Concerto with Víkingur Ólafsson … Măcelaru, who is regarded as [a] leading interpreter of George Enescu’s music, will conduct Enescu’s Symphony No. 3 … in its first performance in the U.S. in a century.” The article lists highlights of the orchestra’s classical and pops seasons.
