Juraj Valčuha Music Director

Search

Connecting the dots: “Do Mode” verses “Think Mode”

I have a theory that people have two modes of existence. One is to do, and the other is to think. Some people are so focused on thinking about what they can or can’t do that they simply become ineffective or inactive. Conversely, others seem to do a lot, but don’t take the time to … Continued

Guest Artist Byron Stripling on the Music of Louis Armstrong

Guest Artist Byron Stripling will join the Houston Symphony January 18, 19 and 20, 2013 for our What a Wonderful World: The Best of Louis Armstrong concerts. Below are his thoughts on honoring the legendary New Orleans Jazz artist: Hello Texas friends. I can’t wait for January 18, 19 and 20 because I’ll have the … Continued

Inside the Minds of Houston Symphony Musicians

It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. In the spirit of newness, we thought we’d take a new approach for an interview with our featured soloists for next weekend’s performances of Copland’s Quiet City, on the same concert program as Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Read on as two of our own musicians … Continued

New Year’s Resolution: Make 2013 A Year of Music!

2013 — a great year to begin playing an instrument! The sounds of an instrument being played for the first time may not exactly be beautiful, but in just a few years of studying music, the benefits truly last a lifetime. Here are a few articles we found that describe research showing the effects of … Continued

Maestro Graf Discusses The Work of His Friend, Composer Henri Dutilleux

This month, the Houston Symphony will begin its 2013 series of concerts with an exciting weekend of performances featuring American themed music. “The concert program is really a commentary on Hans Graf’s time here in the United States,” stated Aurelie Desmarais, the Houston Symphony’s senior director of Artistic Planning. “He is an Austrian trained conductor … Continued

Andrea Bocelli: In His Own Words

In just over a week’s time on November 28th, the Houston Symphony will have the exciting opportunity to perform once more with one of the world’s most inspiring operatic legends: Andrea Bocelli. Bocelli was last in Houston in December of 2010, and is returning by popular demand. The Tuscany native, who suffered the loss of … Continued

Thank You Subscribers!

November is Subscriber Appreciation Month! It is subscriber appreciation month at the Houston Symphony. All month, we are celebrating the loyalty and contributions of our many dedicated subscribers by recognizing you with inserts in our November magazine at each concert. Please know how much we value the trust you place in us to provide you … Continued

Thoughts from Larry Baird, Three Dog Night Orchestrator and Conductor

This week, we are excited to host legendary rock band Three Dog Night. They will join the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall on Friday the 13th. We asked Larry Baird, orchestrator and conductor for Three Dog Night’s orchestral performances, to share his thoughts about working with a band whose influence has spanned four decades. Thoughts … Continued

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Preview

The anticipation is palpable here at the Houston Symphony. Everyone is buzzing about this weekend’s upcoming performances of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. Check out a preview of what’s in store here: Balcony seats are now available for Friday and Saturday nights! But hurry, tickets are going quickly!

Sounds Like Fun! With Robert Franz

Conducting the “Sounds Like Fun!” concerts is really fun for me. As a person who is relatively new to Houston, the concerts have given me the opportunity to get to know the city, and more important, lots of great people throughout the metro area. One of the things that makes these concerts special to me … Continued

Pianist Xiayin Wang’s Pre Concert Rituals

This weekend kicks off several weeks of free concerts that will run throughout the month of June. Our concerts this weekend are both at Miller Outdoor Theatre, and Saturday evening’s concert will feature soloist Xiayin Wang, performing the Piano Concerto in G major by Ravel. Saturday’s concert offers a little something extra- it is a … Continued

Insider Story: Thoughts from Three Dog Night’s Fan Club President

We wanted to get an insider’s perspective on what keeps the band Three Dog Night so great after all these years, so we asked their fan club president, Madonna Nuckolls, to share her thoughts. Read on for her personal perspective as well as photos, a video, and information about their upcoming performance with your Houston … Continued

Mosccow Tour Report- Part 4: Successful Shostakovich!

Here at the Houston Symphony, we are fortunate to have wonderful musicians who are also wonderful writers, willing to share insights from their personal experiences and performers. Below is the third and final blog post submitted by Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet. It was written shortly after the orchestra finished its second and final performance as … Continued

Moscow Tour Report- Part 3: Red Eyes in Red Square

One of the downsides to touring is the lack of time the musicians have to adjust to different time zones. Anyone who has traveled abroad is familiar with the intense fatigue that is a fact of life during one’s first few days in another part of the world. It was this sleepiness that lead some … Continued