"We attended our first symphony concert in fourth grade, thanks to Cincinnati Public Schools, hearing Night On Bald Mountain conducted by Thor Johnson. It was love at first note for both of us, As we grew older and married the first thing we did was subscribe to the Cincinnati Symphony. We think it is pretty safe to say that we worked our way through all the conductors from then on. Many. many amazing men led the orchestra but we never really had a ""favorite,"" they were all so talented, but then Louis Langree took the podium and he easily won first prize in the Cordes home. He is a most amazing man, so caring, so committed to the music, so able to put his whole soul into each and every performance, so caring of the orchestra members, so personally interactive with the audience, both in the concert hall and out in the public domain, so inventive. We will always hold him in a special place in our hearts and will certainly never forget him, Thank you, Louis, we wish you all the best in your next endeavors. Bonne Chance!"

That very first concert in Washington Park outside Music Hall told me so much. Your ability to express the emotions within music, to communicate those phrases, surpassed any live performance I had heard before. And that ability was not specific to that day, but every day you conducted. For me, it was transformative, as I always regarded music as that universal language that doesn't have to be taught to be appreciated. Thank you maestro, for enriching my life and so many others in Cincinnati. The memories will linger. You will be sorely missed!

"Cher Maitre / Dear Louis, Merci bien . . . for having shared with us this decade of years your artistry, your enthusiasm, your graciousness, your humanity. Know how much you will be missed. We look forward to your many returns as Music Director Laureate. A bientot . . ."

"Dear Maestro Langree, Thank you so much for your commitment to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and to the City of Cincinnati, and around the World, for enriching our lives with many great years of wonderful music making! I wish you all the best as you continue on your Journey, and I will look forward to your return engagements with the CSO in the near future! My best to you and your beautiful family! Susan Marshall Petersen Former CSO 'Cellist"

I had the privilege of being one of about 20 guest singers with the May Festival Chorus for three performances of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana under the baton of maestro Langree. As an elementary music educator in the greater Cincinnati area with Orff certification, this piece for orchestra and chorus has a special place in my heart. Louis brought incredible passion and a joyful exuberance to the performances of this piece on the stage of Music Hall. I was especially impressed as we had only one rehearsal with him due to his coming down with the stomach flu shortly before he was to be in the piano only rehearsal two days before the first concert. Un musicien extraordinaire.

"So many wonderful memories! Where to start? The first Lumenocity concert on the grass in front of Music Hall in 2013...That was my first introduction. We have seen so many wonderful concerts over the past 10+ years. A few really stand out to me: 1) the world premiere of Christopher Rouse's Symphony # 6 in October, 2019 (commissioned by the CSO); 2) the Nina Simone Piano Competition in October, 2023, and the Brahms Requiem in February, 2024. An additional plus was having a chance to attend the open rehearsal of the Brahms, and see how Louis works with the chorus and orchestra on shaping each phrase. He worked on the overall arch, yet was very precise in the detail. It was marvelous to see it all come together in the concert after all the hard work. That was an amazing experience! To expand on my other favorites, I was especially moved to hear the Rouse Symphony, as I had met Christopher Rouse in College. We drove to Cleveland together with a friend to hear George Szell conduct Mahler's 3rd at Severance Hall. Rouse's piece was powerful and poignant. I never get tired of it, and have heard the live-stream too. I enjoyed watching the orchestra play the Rouse close-up on the live-stream last year, after having witnessed the premiere. I was very sad to learn that Rouse had passed away just a few weeks prior to the performance. This will likely become one of the greatest 21st century American symphonies. I am grateful that the CSO commissioned it, so it came into being (plus all the communication behind the scenes between conductor and composer). It was gratifying to see all the talented young people play concertos in the Nina Simone Piano Competition. So much work behind the scenes went into making this happen. On the night of the performance, sparks flew between conductor, pianist and orchestra for each of these young people. One of them is a friend of ours. We are proud of all 3 finalists who competed on October 6, 2023. It is really hard to narrow down our favorite Louis Langrée moment to one concert! There are many I've forgotten to mention, I'm sure. Finally, I'll add that I happened to run into Louis Langrée in the Cincinnati Art Museum in 2019 for the Terra Cotta Warrior Show from China. He was friendly when I approached him, and we enjoyed talking about the art work. He has enriched our lives so much being here, and all of Cincinnati. We shall miss him very much, and hope he comes back soon as a guest conductor. His presence in this community and his involvement with the schools and all he's done has been unparalleled. Merci, Louis, pour toût! Au revoir."

My friend Marie-Claude was visiting from France, and I showed her the best aspects of the area, including attending a talk (and performance) about conducting the orchestra. When given a moment to interact with Maestro Langree, Marie-Claude spoke to him in their native tongue, and Louis said how it was nice to hear the regional accent of his youth, for Marie-Claude grew up in the SAME HOMETOWN as Louie and knew of his father! Today, Marie-Claude is sad for Cincinnati's loss but excited for Maestro Langree's future. It truly is a small world.

During the year 2013, whispers of something called LumenoCity started swirling. It would take place in August on a Saturday and Sunday. I noticed in neon marker written on a concession stand near Music Hall a few days before that Friday listed. Called the box office and they said, oh yes, we are doing a dress rehearsal that night. I wandered down that Friday and hardly anyone was around, but there was our new conductor standing in the middle of the grass oval gazing at Music Hall like a kid in a candy store. Introducing myself, I found Louis Langrée not yet as conversational in English but already speaking kindly of Cincinnati and excited to be part of something special. For those that made it to that first weekend, it really was a feast for the eyes. Maestro Langrée has always been welcoming and eager to spread his passion for music in subsequent moments of conversation I've had, but so glad I had this random moment back in 2013.

Maestro Langre will be sorely missed. Among all the other wonderful things he did during his tenure here, none exceeds, in my estimation, the Beethoven Akademie Concerts of late winter 2020. That was likely my one and only opportunity to hear the Choral Fantasy performed, and it was everything I anticipated, and more. The entire evening, including the intermission dinner, listening to Michael Chertock and him playing the Rákóczi March on the piano together, was a one-of-a-kind experience. All the best wishes in his future endeavors and may he not be a stranger to Cincinnati in the future.

Nobody more than you and CSO rejuvenated the region's optimism and sense of beauty during the COVID global pandemic. Weekend concerts on TV were a healing balm. Plus, your artistic musicianship throughout your entire Cincinnati tenure was sublimely beautiful and creative. Sad to see you leave and grateful for what you are leaving with us.

"Thank you Maestro Langrée for giving us your heart and soul for eleven years! I especially enjoyed the opportunity to discover Ambroise Thomas's ""Hamlet"" last November. What a gem!"

Mr Langree took what Parvo started and ran with it. In the process, he made CSO a world class orchestra. He will also be remembered for his humor and humility. We wish him great success in all his future ventures. He will be missed.

My wife who I have introduced classical music to, absolutely was thrilled to hear Bolero live at Music Hall. Louis, you’ve hired a great crew of musicians. Many happy years to come. Please revisit us soon!

Lois Langree have collaborated to create so many masterpieces of performance and interpretation of so many great works. Cincinnati has been transformed by your presence, maestro! Thank you.

"We are submitting here a second comment to express our deep appreciation of Maestro Langree's years with the CSO. These years have filled us with so many memories of great performances. We wish Maestro Langree many happy years in his new position."

"Congratulations! It was great having you lead our outstanding orchestra. All the best, Sue"

Besides our maestro's musical genius, it his graciousness that exudes and permeates the hall all the way up to the obstructed views in the gallery. Thank you for the years you've spent with us. They are woven into the Cincinnati musical fabric of my life forever

I have so deeply appreciated Maestro Louis Langree's generous presence and tenure as the CSO Music Director. I always felt he loved being here with us. His joy and passion for music is infectious and his creativity in programming is unparalleled in my experience. His youthful, brilliant presence and imagination has brought a whole new level of enthusiasm and diversity to the offerings and audiences at the CSO. I am so very sad to see him leave this position of artistic leadership in our city. I will miss him very much.

"in 2019, we had just moved back to cincinnati and were homeschooling for the first time. Dvorak's New World Symphony was being performed, which coincided with music & history curriculum, so we planned a family field trip. Due to my poor planning, we arrived waaaay early for the performance. But we took the time to look around Music Hall, especially noting the portraits of conductors that I had seen perform. The house manager saw us and struck up a conversation and gave us a backstage sneak peek! we sat in for the pre-concert chat, but just as it was ending, the house manager came and tapped on my shoulder. she said, ""someone wants to meet you."" even though Maestro Langree was not scheduled to perform that night, nor even be in attendance, he was and she'd told him of our homeschool field trip. we got to meet him in one of the doorways. of course our children didn't realize the immensity of the opportunity to meet and shake hands with someone of such renown. the Maestro was so friendly and engaging with our kids, gifting each a baton so that they could conduct someday! autographs and photographs, while other patrons walked past us, wide-eyed at our experience. they still speak of our time together and cherish the souvenirs and memories."

"It’s a bittersweet moment for all of us who cherish Cincinnati’s thriving arts community. We will deeply miss Louis Langrée’s creativity, passion, and ability to inspire and connect audiences in Cincinnati and around the world. We join our friends at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in celebrating his artistry and legacy.” Debbie Brant, Cincinnati Ballet President and CEO"

The first CSO that I attended where Maestro Langree was conducting left an indelible impression on my mind and heart. Every show since, I have been absolutely enamored with his style and enthusiasm. I am going to miss the Maestro in front of the audience - and in front of our cities fine orchestra!

Merci Louis pour cette décennie (et pas cette décade !) de musique et de partage, au nom de tous ceux qui ont assisté aux concerts, aux masterclass, et au rendez-vous dans la P&G Founders Room.

What I have loved about Louis is his total involvement with our community! He's made music accessible, fun all the while continuing to stress excellence in everything ; beginning with the selection of new members, interesting programing, inclusion of students through free tickets, etc, and enthusiastically embracing new ideas like Blink! His sense of humor warms all and his enthusiasm is impossible to escape!!