ESO Presents - Beethoven’s Triple & Mahler’s Titan

Abigail Karr • March 25, 2026

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra to perform Beethoven’s Triple & Mahler’s Titan

Merida Trio Joins the Elmhurst Symphony for Beethoven’s Triple Concerto this Spring


Elmhurst, IL -  The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra continues the 2025/2026 season with a titanic performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Mahler Symphony No. 1, the Titan. The ESO will be joined by the Chicago-based chamber group the Merida Trio featuring the Symphony’s principal cellist Jean Hatmaker, violinist Charlene Klugel, and pianist Katherine Petersen. The evening will conclude with a performance of Mahler’s Titan under the direction of Music Director & Conductor Stephen Alltop.

Program Highlights:

  • Ludwig von Beethoven – Triple Concerto in C, Op. 56
  • Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 1 in D (“Titan”)

Who’s Performing:

  • Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
  • Stephen Alltop, Music Director and Conductor
  • Merida Trio
  • Charlene Kluegel, violin
  • Jean Hatmaker, cello
  • Katherine Petersen, piano

What’s Interesting:

  • Brought together by friendship, a shared passion for artistic integrity, and determination to fuse tradition with modern values, Merida Trio combines the bold and dynamic voices of three of Chicago’s finest chamber musicians.
  • Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C, the composer’s only multi-instrumental concerto composition, includes some of the most challenging sections of cello repertoire.
  • Mahler’s Symphony No 1, the Titan, is best known for its incorporation of European folk music, including references to traditional Jewish Klezmer music and Frère Jacques.


Ticket Information:
For tickets, first-time visitor guides, FAQs, and further concert details, please visit ElmhurstSymphony.Org or call the Elmhurst Symphony office at
630-941-0202, M-F 10 AM - 3 PM.



By Abigail Karr May 21, 2026
The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce that Ella Wimbiscus , cellist, has been named the winner of the 2026 Stanger Young Artist Competition. The announcement was made live at the conclusion of the Rising Stars Concert & Competition concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026, held at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Wimbuscus earned top honors for her lyrical rendition of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Min., Op. 104, Movement I , performed alongside the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Assistant Conductor Eli Chen. The concert featured three finalist performances by exceptional high school musicians: Ella Wimbiscus , cello — Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, 1st Mvt Francesca Gaus Ehning , oboe — Clemence de Grandval’s Oboe Concerto, Op. 7, Mvt III Adrian Gonzalez , piano — Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 Mvt I The Stanger Young Artist Competition is an annual tradition that supports and celebrates the next generation of classical musicians by offering high school performers the opportunity to appear as soloists with a professional orchestra. It is in part sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst , whose generous and ongoing support is gratefully acknowledged. For more information on the competition or upcoming performances, please visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or contact the ESO office at 630-941-0202 (Monday-Friday 10AM-3PM).
By Abigail Karr May 21, 2026
Photo Gallery: Rising Stars Concert and Competition
By Abigail Karr April 27, 2026
Photo Gallery: The Triple & The Titan
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