Hunter Pavilion tickets 1 August 2026 - John Williams and Rachmaninoff | GoComGo.com

John Williams and Rachmaninoff

Hunter Pavilion, Highland Park, USA
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Select date and time
7:30 PM
From
US$ 112

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Important Info
Type: Classical Concert
City: Highland Park, USA
Starts at: 19:30

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast
Performers
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Piano: Emanuel Ax
Creators
Composer: John Williams
Composer: John Adams
Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Festival

Ravinia Festival 2026

The Ravinia Festival 2026 returns to Highland Park, Illinois, as North America’s oldest outdoor music festival and one of its most vibrant summer cultural destinations. From June through September, the historic park transforms into an open-air stage where orchestral tradition, contemporary artistry, jazz, pop, and experimental collaborations meet under the summer sky. The season also marks the continued evolution of the newly redesigned Hunter Pavilion, elevating the listening experience for audiences and artists alike.

Programme
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
John Williams: Piano Concerto
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op.45
Overview

Emanuel Ax plays Williams’s new Piano Concerto

The “always thoughtful, lyrical, and lustrous” (Washington Post) pianist Emanuel Ax celebrates the 50th anniversary of his CSO debut by joining Marin Alsop and the orchestra on John Williams’s new concerto, an astounding miracle of new music inspired by three iconic voices of jazz: Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson.

The first movement evokes the dazzling virtuosity of Art Tatum, and the second unfolds as a velvety, impressionistic meditation—almost haunted by the ghost of Bill Evans. In the final movement, hints of Oscar Peterson’s athletic drive create the feeling of a "circus" for Williams, who elaborates that this “may be the definition of a concerto finale” (New York Times).

Though widely celebrated for his iconic film scores, Williams has long written for the concert hall as well. His classical catalog includes a symphony, chamber works, and concertos for more than a dozen instruments. For decades, however, he resisted writing for piano, remarking simply, “I just thought it was impossible.” Now in his nineties, Williams has decided to do the impossible, aided by trusted friend and colleague Emmanuel Ax. With Emanuel Ax’s extraordinary playing in mind, the composer said it “broadens the way and lights it—just knowing you’re going to have that glow on a few notes" (New York Times).

The all-American program also features Rachmaninoff’s jazzy Symphonic Dances and John Adams’s driving Short Ride in a Fast Machine.

Venue Info

Hunter Pavilion - Highland Park
Location   201 Ravinia Park Road

For those who like a large-scale concert experience, the Hunter Pavilion is where it’s at. Ravinia’s 2,850-seat open-air, covered pavilion is home to the annual residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the heart of the festival’s summer season, as well as to a wide variety of the greatest rock, pop, blues, jazz, and country musicians today and much more.

Located within the beautiful grounds of Ravinia Park, the Hunter Pavilion is one of the charming performance spaces associated with the Ravinia Festival. Surrounded by mature trees and the peaceful atmosphere of the park, the venue offers an intimate environment where audiences can enjoy exceptional musical performances in a relaxed outdoor setting.

Designed to complement the natural landscape of Ravinia, Hunter Pavilion reflects the festival’s unique philosophy of bringing music closer to nature. Its more intimate scale allows for a special connection between artists and listeners, making it particularly well suited to chamber music, recitals, and smaller ensemble performances.

As part of Ravinia’s diverse summer programming, Hunter Pavilion contributes to the festival’s reputation as a place where different musical traditions meet. The venue hosts artists across a wide range of genres, from classical performances to contemporary and experimental projects, creating a dynamic cultural experience for visitors.

The pavilion’s location within the historic park allows guests to enjoy not only the concert itself but also the distinctive Ravinia atmosphere — scenic walking paths, gardens, and the tradition of gathering outdoors for music. This combination of artistry and natural surroundings has been central to the festival’s appeal for more than a century.

Important Info
Type: Classical Concert
City: Highland Park, USA
Starts at: 19:30
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