John von Rhein has been the classical music critic of The Chicago Tribune since 1977. During that time, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has had three music directors and Lyric Opera of Chicago four general directors. Von Rhein has covered innumerable other shifts (seismic and otherwise) on the local cultural scene, as well. Before joining The Tribune, he reviewed classical music and dance for the Akron Beacon Journal. His hobby is collecting classical music on recordings.