“When I think about the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, it’s always amazing how fresh and revolutionary the writing is,” said Gil Shaham, who joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under guest conductor John Storgårds, in performances of the Mendelssohn work on Dec. 1-3. “I think people don’t necessarily think of Mendelssohn that way, but here is a composer who was so fluent with his craft that he was really able to take risks and innovate. That may be part of that piece’s success — it still sounds modern.”

Also on the program: Suite No. 1 from Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1. For more details, click here.