Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director Cristi Măcelaru has demonstrated his commitment to the orchestra, the Greater Cincinnati community and American voices since his first full season’s opening concert.
The CSO 2026-27 season is a through-line of Măcelaru’s vision, a fearless, compelling series that invites audiences to experience the thrill of new concert experiences and to savor familiar favorites.
The CSO’s exciting lineup spans 400 years of music by a global cohort of classical and living composers, works from the past making CSO debuts, commissions, and co-commissions. The roster features world-class guest conductors and soloists, including CSO members.
Măcelaru is on the podium for twelve pairs of concerts, and in October, he will lead a workshop for rising conductors—another first for the CSO.
Speaking from his home in Paris, Măcelaru emphasized the necessity to explore music, whether it was composed centuries ago or last week. “It’s absolutely essential for us as artists to stretch the boundaries of what we do in every direction,” he said. “You will see that I’m playing around with the idea of genres and what they actually mean.”
In an interview last year Măcelaru promised that “we’ll be hearing more from Wynton Marsalis.” He wasn’t kidding. October 2-4 kicks off with a three-day residency featuring the acclaimed trumpeter, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and violinist Nicola Benedetti.
The residency opens with Benedetti performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto and the CSO playing Marsalis’s Symphony No. 5, “Liberty,” a CSO co-commission honoring the USA’s 250th anniversary.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, Benedetti will perform Marsalis’s Violin Concerto, which won the 2020 Grammy for best classical recording. And in what promises to be an epic event, the CSO and the JLCO join for a Marsalis- Măcelaru jazz-infused arrangement of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
Măcelaru has worked with Marsalis for several years and the riff on Mussorgsky’s classic symphonic poem grew out of their friendship and Marsalis’s frustration with the piece.
“He was playing an arrangement he didn’t like, so I suggested we do one ourselves,” Măcelaru recalled. “The way we’re performing it starts with the CSO playing and the JLOC responds. But what happens is that our responses get closer until we perform as one orchestra.”
The residency concludes with a concert by the JLCO led by Marsalis, who steps down from his leadership role in 2027.
New works receiving US and world premieres are Mark Simpson’s Piano Concerto, performed by Icelandic pianist Vikingur Ơlafsson and Errollyn Wallen’s Concerto for Orchestra. Wallen is a Belize-born British composer appointed Master of Music in 2024 by King Charles III.
Wallen’s concerto concludes a concert in March, Women’s History Month, featuring works by three 19th century German women: Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Emilie Mayer, whose music is enjoying a revival 150 years after she was acclaimed as Beethoven’s peer.
Măcelaru credits a CSO staff member with bringing Mayer to his attention.
“The name was familiar but I never heard her work. Once I started listening and looking at the scores, I thought, ‘This is really good,'” he said.
Măcelaru, a tireless advocate for the works of his countryman, Romanian composer George Enescu, thrilled CSO audiences last fall with a stunning performance of Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, and next season, the CSO will play “Enescu’s Symphony No. 3” for the first time, joined by the May Festival Chorus.
“Enescu is a composer we don’t hear enough, and he really has something to say,” Măcelaru commented. “This symphony is his most accessible, and his sound world is fascinating with a wordless chorus just the way that the same way that Ravel did, for effect.”
Măcelaru’s commitment to Baroque works continues with Bach’s iconic “St. Matthew Passion,” with the May Festival Chorus and vocal soloists Louise Alder, Karen Cargil, Nicholas Phan and Morgan Smith. Măcelaru’s background as a Baroque violinist was a tremendous asset for the sold-out performances of Handel’s “Messiah” in December, and Măcelaru says “Bach’s Passion” expands the idea of performance as storytelling.
CSO Proof, a series offering music experiences curated by musicians and media artists brings Matthias Pintscher to conduct “The Genesis Project,” a co-commission by seven composers writing a piece for each day of creation according to the Old Testament.
Guest conductors include four CSO debuts: the legendary Phillipe Jordan, Gemma New, Delyana Lazarova and Marta Gardolińska. CSO Music Director Laureate Louis Langrée returns for two concerts.
Returning artists include piano divo Lang Lang, violinists Gil Shaham and Leila Josefowicz, and cellist Alicia Weilerstein. Four young pianists make their debuts, including Isata Kanneh-Mason, and the phenomenal, edgy vocal band Room Full of Teeth makes its CSO debut.
Three CSO musicians are featured soloists: Principal Oboe Dwight Parry, Principal Violist Christian Colberg and Principal Trumpet Anthony Limoncelli.
Creating the season went beyond artistic and logistical coordination. Măcelaru works closely with CSO staff to discuss audience responses to CSO concerts.
“Many of our future concerts are concept experiences informed by audience surveys,” he explained. “I was fascinated to see that the experience wasn’t necessarily about changing music but starting from the beginning, how they are invited into the hall.”
He recalled a conversation with a first-time CSO audience member.
“She told me she enjoyed the concert, but what impressed her most was when I raised my hands at the end of a piece. The music stopped and there was silence. ‘That was incredible!’ she said. ‘You got everyone to stop just by raising your hand!’
“When I talk to the team behind the scenes, I use a phrase they’re probably tired of hearing me say,” he laughed.
“I say, you know, people really listen with their eyes.”
Visual elements will have an increased presence in the coming seasons, whether it’s the CSO and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra facing off, the configuration of the St. Matthew Passion or simply watching the orchestra tune up, the experiences will be multi-sensory.
Great music and great performers are the power behind it all, fueled by Cristi Măcelaru’s expansive vision.
CSO 2026-27 season and ticket information: www.cincinnatisymphony.org