Williamson took a leave of absence from the CSO to play for a season with the New York Philharmonic. "I think if I left the Met and went right to the New York Philharmonic, I would have stayed at the New York Philharmonic. But coming from Chicago, the entire game changed. I didn't know what it meant to be truly respected as a musician. And I really feel that here, across the orchestra, not just myself but every member of the orchestra, is respected. That's a very rare thing.
February 6, 7:30pm Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, (800)838-3006, February 11-16, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan, (312)294-3000.