Cellist Loren Brown to Retire from the Chicago Symphony After 39 Years

Brown was first appointed to the CSO by Sir Georg Solti

Cellist Loren Brown will stand down from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) after almost four decades in the role. Brown, who is currently on sabbatical, last performed with the orchestra in 2023, and will receive the Theodore Thomas Medallion for Distinguished Service in recognition of his lengthy career.

In the early part of his career, Brown lived in Washington, D.C., where he played as a member of the U.S. Navy String Quartet. During this time, he was also the Principal Cello of the National Gallery Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra.

A stint in Milwaukee followed, where Brown was Principal Cello of the Milwaukee Symphony and appeared regularly with the contemporary-music ensemble Pro Musica Nova.

In 1985, Brown was appointed to the CSO by then-Music Director Georg Solti, though he also later performed under Daniel Barenboim, Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, and Pierre Boulez.

He had the opportunity to make several solo appearances with the orchestra, most notably in a Silk Road Ensemble concert alongside Yo-Yo Ma. In addition, he appeared with Lynn Harrell in Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras.

CSO percussionist James Ross will also soon retire after a distinguished period of 45 years of service.

"I find it remarkable that there is such synergy across more than 100 musicians who come together to carry the legacy of this great Orchestra to make music at the highest level with the best conductors and soloists," Brown said.

"That feeling is very special, and I have felt honored and lucky to be a part of it."