Critic’s Choice

Wed Feb 17, 2016 at 5:23 pm

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Manfred Honeck. Photo; Felix Broede
Manfred Honeck. Photo: Felix Broede

Though it happened, unfortunately, as a result of Riccardo Muti’s mystery hip injury and surgery, one must still be grateful for the return of Manfred Honeck to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at this week’s concerts.

In his few CSO appearances, the Austrian conductor has shown a unique ability to infuse even the most familiar works with notable freshness and bracing excitement.

As originally scheduled, Respighi’s The Fountains of Rome and Concerto gregoriano with soloist Robert Chen remain on the program. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 has been substituted for Alfredo Casella’s Symphony No. 3.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday. cso.org; 312-294-3000.

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