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The Chicago Traveler

Symphony Center

by Matt B on July 16th, 2007

Music lovers will instantly recognize the Symphony Center, a music complex located across the street from the Art Institute and consisting of Orchestra Hall, Buntrock Hall, and Rhapsody Restaurant. The building is home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and hosts a multitude of piano and chamber, orchestral, and jazz music series.

Built in 1904 and designed by the famous architect Daniel H. Burnham, Orchestra Hall is a fine example of old-school Chicago architecture, integrating several design trends like the Beaux Arts and Georgian styles. Above the second floor of the symmetrical fa'ade of the Hall are the names of five prominent composers: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner. During the ’20s and ’30s, famous speakers like Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, and Orson Welles were featured.

In June of 1993, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to renovate and expand Orchestra Hall. This $110 million project resulted in the Symphony Center complex as we know it today.

And whether you like your music classical or jazzy, be sure to check out b5media’s brand-new music channel. Our blogging network is excited and proud to introduce a slew of writers giving the ins and outs of all things music. And if that weren’t incentive enough, check out how you can win an iPod Shuffle, so you can listen to all that music you’ll be reading about.

Photo credit (clockwise, from top left): Wikimedia, (c/o Flickr) birdfarm, Atelier Teee, jordanfischer

Symphony Center: 220 S Michigan Ave; 312-294-3000
Street parking difficult, pay lot available
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 36, 62, 126, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Orange/Purple/Pink/Green/Brown Line train (Adams)
Red/Blue Line train (Monroe, Jackson)
Metra (Van Buren)
http://www.cso.org/

symphony centerstaircase
orchestrarhapsody

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POSTED IN: Architecture & Attractions, Entertainment

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