Hilary Hahn Named Chicago Symphony Orchestra Artist-in-Residence

The three-time Grammy-award winning violinist will serve in the role until 2023

Appointed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) music director Riccardo Muti, Hahn will hold the two-year position from September 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. The new artistic role, which aims to foster long-term collaboration and reach new audiences, is Muti’s most recent project to strengthen the ties between the CSO and its Chicago community.

"I'm thrilled to be appointed Artist-in-Residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra," Hahn wrote in a press release. "I have great admiration for the orchestra and Maestro Muti, and it is an honor to join their organization and be present in the city of Chicago over the next two seasons. Through the powerful conduit of the arts, a residency offers the chance to get to know a community and find ways to be helpful within it. I'm looking forward to exploring those connections and being of artistic service to the city of Chicago and its music lovers, and to making great music with the Chicago Symphony."

Muti commended Hahn for her commitment to sharing music “in new ways with audiences around the world.”

In her new role, Hahn will have multiple residencies with the orchestra per season. She will perform the Dvorak Violin Concerto with the CSO in December, as well as a recital program in the Symphony Center Presents Chamber Music series in the spring.

Hahn, one of the world's preeminent violinists, is also known for her dedication to educational causes and commissioning new works to extend the reach of classical music.

Notably, she began the #100daysofpractice initiative, where she posted videos of herself practicing daily for 100 days in a row on Instagram and inspired thousands of young musicians to do the same. She also started a “Bring Your Own Baby” concert series, which will continue with the CSO through free events during her residency, allowing new parents to share live classical music with their young children.

Throughout her residency, Hahn will continue with various additional educational and audience engagement activities — including collaborations with the CSO’s Negaunee Music Institute, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, and Notes for Peace.

Hahn has performed with the CSO since 2007 and was first approached about the role in May 2019, following a performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the orchestra, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Earlier this year, The Violin Channel sat down for an interview with Hahn about her career, upcoming projects, and coming back from her yearlong sabbatical amid a pandemic. Hahn's most recent album, "Paris," features music by Rautavaara, Chausson, and Prokofiev.