Classical Music Chicago Celebrates 50 Years of the Dame Myra Hess Concerts with the Return of Five Distinguished Hess Alumni

CHICAGO, IL — July 27, 2026 — Classical Music Chicago (CMC) will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Dame Myra Hess Concerts during the 2026–27 season, marking five decades of presenting free world-class classical music in downtown Chicago and introducing audiences to many of the world's most accomplished musicians at the beginning of their careers.

The series is named for the legendary British pianist Dame Myra Hess, who famously performed and organized lunchtime concerts at London's National Gallery during World War II, providing music and solace to the public during a time of national crisis.

To celebrate five decades of the Dame Myra Hess Concerts, five Distinguished Hess Alumni—artists whose first appearances on the series span its history from the 1980s through the 2020s—will return to perform during the 2026–27 season. These special performances will take place as part of the regular Wednesday Dame Myra Hess Concert series.

"The Dame Myra Hess Concerts have always been about discovering extraordinary artists and sharing them with Chicago audiences," said Mark Riggleman, Executive Director of Classical Music Chicago. "For fifty years, audiences have experienced remarkable musicians at pivotal moments in their careers. Welcoming these distinguished alumni back to the stage where many of their professional journeys began is a fitting way to celebrate this milestone and the enduring impact of the series."

The Distinguished Hess Alumni concerts include:

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

David Shifrin, clarinet

First Dame Myra Hess Concert: November 12, 1980

One of the world's most celebrated clarinetists, Shifrin is the recipient of both the Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Avery Fisher Prize and has enjoyed an internationally acclaimed career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, and artistic director.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Clayton Stephenson, piano

First Dame Myra Hess Concert: October 18, 2023

One of today's most exciting young pianists, Stephenson is a recipient of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2025 Sphinx Medal of Excellence and has rapidly emerged as an international concert artist.

Wednesday, March 24, 2027

Teng Li, viola

First Dame Myra Hess Concert: March 5, 2003

Appointed Principal Viola of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2023, Teng Li is recognized worldwide for her artistry as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator.

Wednesday, April 21, 2027

Inon Barnatan, piano

First Dame Myra Hess Concert: November 3, 2010

Praised by The New York Times as "one of the most admired pianists of his generation," Barnatan enjoys an international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and artistic curator.

Wednesday, April 28, 2027

Jennifer Koh, violin

First Dame Myra Hess Concert: January 19, 1994

A Grammy Award-winning violinist and one of today's most influential musical voices, Koh is internationally recognized for her virtuosity, innovative programming, and commitment to new music.

Since its founding in 1977, the Dame Myra Hess Concerts have presented more than 2,000 free performances, providing a nationally recognized platform for emerging artists while making exceptional classical music accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Over the past five decades, many musicians who first appeared on the series have gone on to become internationally celebrated artists.

Among the many notable alumni of the Dame Myra Hess Concerts are pianists Angela Hewitt, Alessio Bax, Imogen Cooper, Barry Douglas, Jeffrey Kahane, and Daniil Trifonov; cellist Steven Isserlis; violinist Vadim Gluzman; guitarist Eliot Fisk; and sopranos June Anderson and Barbara Hendricks. Their careers reflect the series' long-standing reputation for recognizing exceptional artistic talent at the beginning of major international careers.

The Dame Myra Hess Concerts continue every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago, offering free 45-minute performances by outstanding emerging and established classical musicians. The concerts are also broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT, extending the reach of the performances to listeners throughout the Chicago area and beyond.

The complete Dame Myra Hess Concerts Fall 2026 season (September–November) will be announced on August 1, 2026. The 50th Anniversary celebration will continue throughout the 2026–27 season with special events still in the planning and the return of the Distinguished Hess Alumni.

About Classical Music Chicago

Classical Music Chicago opens the door to the transformative power of classical music by presenting free, world-class concerts to people of all ages, backgrounds, and means, while fostering the future of classical music by supporting and showcasing the next generation of classical musicians. Its flagship programs include the Dame Myra Hess Concerts, Rush Hour Concerts, Young People's Concerts, and Concerts for Wellbeing and Rejuvenation.