Subs fill in for ailing conductors at CSO, Civic Orchestra

Health woes have prompted changes at the podium for two Symphony Center concerts this week.

Jaap van Zweden, who was to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in three concerts Oct. 9, 10 and 12, has withdrawn on the advice of his doctor, a CSO statement said. Filling in will be Donald Runnicles, general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and music director of the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming.

Bartók’s Rhapsodies Nos. 1 and 2 are off the program, replaced by Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64. CSO Concertmaster Robert Chen remains the featured soloist.

The changes also apply to a Saturday performance at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Illness also is disrupting plans for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where principal conductor Cliff Colnot has called in sick for the season opener on Wednesday. Taking over will be Matthew Aucoin, the CSO’s Sir Georg Solti Conducting Apprentice.