A bit of 'Rhapsody in Blue' from the CSO's Stephen Williamson and family

Stephen Williamson, principal clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and his family offer a selection from George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." Before Symphony Center was shut down due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the CSO had been scheduled to perform this work. "We are wishing you the very best from our family to yours," Williamson says. "Please stay safe and stay healthy."

[@dadoh42]

That was terrific. Nice ensemble. Thanks for producing and sharing it.

[@robertmontgomery921]

My wife and I had tickets for the March 12th performance. Needless to say, we were extremely disappointed when we realized we would not be able to safely attend and shortly thereafter the performance was canceled.
THANK YOU and the family for giving us a hint of what we missed. :

[@docotoraprofesora]

I LOVED IT! I hope I can hear it when the orchestra returns. I remember playing clarinet in Rhapsody in Blue in 1958 with the New York City Jr. H.S. Band. What an experience that was!

[@cubfan10599]

Just awesome, Stephen! You have such a talented family! Can't wait to hear the encore. : )

[@chrisk8187]

I was a member of of my high-school band and solo chair clarinet of 18 in the section in 1965.
It was one of top high-school bands in the country including marching in three Macy's Thanksgiving Parades, Honors Band for the state of Wisconsin marching through the '64 New York World's Fair grounds, several Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festivals,
WDW Electric Light parades in Florida, and several Rose Parades in Pasadena on New Years etc.
My band director said if could master the opening glissando (we called the "smear" back in those days). We would play the Rapsody in Blue without the piano version in our next concert.
He thought I spent hours working on it, but it took me about 20 min. (I didn't tell anyone) to have the basics down and I kept working on it to being able to play it consistently without any "flubbs".
Just a little aside, I started teaching my son the smear in 7th grade much to become the annoyance of everyone in the the middle school band because he could play it.
I was hired to coach a local college band and I arrived early for one of our rehearsals and I over heard the first chair trying to master it.
I couldn't resist and shocked him when I casually played it from back in the section.

[@sarahmohr1920]

This made me smile. You all sound wonderful. Thank you so much!

[@tamcon72]

This is awesome! Bravi! Thanks For Posting, and good health to you all!

[@joymeade7195]

Heartwarming!! ENCORE PLEASE!! Thank you Williamson family.

[@lauratruax8598]

Thank you for this! I loved it all.

[@williammoskoff5772]

Thank you. That was wonderful. Always happy to see a family make music together.

[@MrBassrazz]

What an awesome family band! Thanks for the great music.

[@frankcoachman382]

Thank you Williamson family for sharing. Our best wishes back to you and yours! - Frank and Kaye Coachman, Salado, TX.

[@vivianhoney1537]

Thank you from Sapporo.
What a wonderful family.
You made me happy.

[@tabbywarrior]

Funny how both Chicago and Cincinnati are CSO. Also I LOVE Steve's playing, how he leans into the jazz elements of this piece so much more than other clarinetists!

[@npulecio1]

BEAUTIFUL! THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[@themorganvalleyroadband]

Thank you for that- wonderful.

[@luanaeckhard3097]

Thank you for this. A reminder that there are still ways to find joy in this trying time.... MUSIC!

[@Rumtoad1]

That's beautiful! Thank you!

[@MagicDuel]

Thank you! Wonderful!

[@moribin2526]

Thank you from Japan!

[@franwallace3415]

Awesome job. Very talented family.

[@catherineterry6994]

Fantastic! What a treat. Can't wait for the next one ;-)

[@deaconjones10]

THANK YOU, Williamson Family!!

[@bobbiehuskey5663]

Beautiful! Thank you, Bobbie

[@kathleenmoyer7122]

The Williamson family rocks!! That was a treat!

[@QueenOTrumpets]

Awesome!"Thank you for that!

[@RafaelbySuzannah]

Beautiful thanks and gratitude

[@susannewhard3216]

This made me so happy!

[@marthamezidi1801]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@miguele.rosario-vega935]

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@dariusmolark6820]

excellent. thank you!

[@thepegasusbarn3364]

Thank you for sharing!

[@brendamiller2982]

Very enjoyable. Thank You

[@malvee]

Missing you at the CSO but what a treat to share all the talent in your household.

[@cillyede]

Großartig, dankeschön.

[@chuckneuenschwander9368]

Superb. thank you.

[@karsonio3543]

CONGRATS ON 100K SUBS!

[@richyscameracaptures276]

Thank you!

[@esguerr818]

Amazing!!

[@applepieisgud8780]

Wow, this is really good!

[@susanswartz2617]

Love it!!

[@sfopera]

So charming! Which is hard to do during a pandemic.

[@lvtuba]

That was great! #Familygoals

[@irfantalib9527]

Thanks

[@janmccarthy3183]

Wonderful! I love that everyone is comfortable in socks and bare feet!!

[@WillStephensArt]

Awesome! CSO future brass section??

[@user-rn1lb8sx2c]

👏👏

[@user-gc2es4hl9e]

Isn’t is to fun to be the only woodwind 😑 btw this is amazing, and yes the clarinet finally have an important part 😊🥹

[@nashvillesymphony]

❤️

[@brianl9944]

"coronavirus in the air"

[@Chicagoan444]

Thank you!

[@mark19441944]

Thank you!