Keys are a clue to what the music is all about. Musical Ambassador Carlos Andrés Botero discusses in the above video, as well as in the text below. You can also listen to these pieces as a playlist on Spotify. One of the most influential descriptions of characteristics shared in German-speaking cultures in the late … Continued
Community-Embedded Musician Alexa Thomson, viola, shares an exercise inspired by music! Each of these videos allow children to use their creativity and move their bodies in different ways that represent changes they hear in the music. They can really stretch their imaginations through these activities. Explore ways you can move different parts of your body: … Continued
Classical musicians often hear the question, “What do you listen to in your spare time?” Sheldon Person, viola, shares this notated playlist of a few of his jazz favorites. As we all have recently, I’ve found myself working from my home office more than usual. This time has given me an opportunity to spend some … Continued
Jump in your imaginary row boat or grab your toy boat and join Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians Patricia Quintero and Alexa Thomson on a musical boat ride by singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” There’s a surprise in here! Follow along with one of the musicians and see how cool it is to create harmony … Continued
John Mangum, Houston Symphony executive director/CEO and Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, shares a few favorites from composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birthday, April 1. You can also enjoy John’s selections as a YouTube playlist. So as I stay at home, like the rest of you, our devoted fans, I’m looking for music wherever I can find it … Continued
Music engages every part of the brain. Involvement in music increases verbal and special skills, aids in emotional development, and improves body movement and coordination. The earlier a child begins learning musical elements like rhythm, pitch and reading notes on a staff, the greater their capacity for learning music in the future. In short, continued … Continued
“To be able to perform this song creates an emotional bridge.” In a video created in their Houston homes, Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians Rainel Joubert, violin, and David Connor, double bass, find a way to duet in a time of social distancing. For their virtual concert, Rainel selected “Bésame Mucho,” which he and Dave have … Continued
On March 14 and 15, the Houston Symphony presents John Adams’ El Niño, which features spectacular guest soloists along with the Houston Symphony Chorus. A special addition for this production: 25 members of the Houston Grand Opera Children’s Chorus, who range in age from 10 to 17. We talked with both chorus directors—Betsy Cook Weber, Houston … Continued
Instantly arresting. Brazenly theatrical. Larger than life. To experience a Mahler symphony live is an experience unlike any other. In his Seventh Symphony, Mahler paints with every color in the orchestral palette—from clanging cowbell to strumming mandolin—to summon nocturnal worlds both nightmarish and serene, menacingly dark and lustrously moonlit. Night erupts into dazzling day in … Continued
On March 14 and 15, the Houston Symphony presents John Adams’ El Niño. The work is a retelling of the Nativity story through Adams’ mesmerizing music and diverse texts, which were gathered from ancient and contemporary sources by Adams and his longtime collaborator, theater director Peter Sellars. Guest conductor David Robertson has championed contemporary composers … Continued
On February 8 and 9, the Houston Symphony welcomes renowned pianist Benjamin Grosvenor for the first weekend of the Schumann Festival, the signature event of our 2019–20 season. Grosvenor performs Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto at Jones Hall, as well as a one-night-only recital featuring the piano composition Kreisleriana. Read on for Benjamin Grosvenor’s thoughts about … Continued
Robin Kesselman was appointed Principal Bass of the Houston Symphony by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada in 2014. He has performed as guest principal bass with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic, traveled internationally with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and appeared with the National, Atlanta, and Baltimore Symphonies. Robin frequently performs … Continued
Earlier this month, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada paid his first visit to the new campus of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, just a few blocks from Jones Hall in downtown Houston. “The energy that was in the room was so huge,” said Kinder HSPVA senior Nicholas Wesley, who plays viola. “His … Continued
Born in Wuhan, China, Wei Jiang began studying violin with his father at age 5, then studied viola after being admitted to the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Immediately upon graduating with the highest honors, Jiang became the youngest person to be appointed to a teaching position at the Conservatory. During his five-year … Continued
On January 9, 11, and 12, Grammy Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich joins the Houston Symphony for Paganini + “Pines of Rome.” The program features Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a piece that pushed the instrument to its limits. The Symphony’s Calvin Dotsey recently asked Hadelich about Paganini, the work’s virtuoso feats, and more. Calvin Dotsey: How … Continued
If there had been a Billboard Hot 100 Chart in Beethoven’s day, his Seventh Symphony certainly would have been at the top. At its premiere, the work was so well received that it literally stopped the show. More than 200 years later, it remains one of his most popular achievements. As the world celebrates the … Continued
Next month, the Houston Symphony features two remarkable guest artists in some of the repertoire’s most staggeringly difficult works. On January 9, 11, and 12, Augustin Hadelich plays Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 as part of Paganini + “Pines of Rome,” and on January 30 and February 1 and 2, pianist Kirill Gerstein plays two … Continued
The Houston Symphony Chorus is participating in three festive concerts in December, from joining internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli in Concert at the Toyota Center to annual performances of Very Merry Pops and Handel’s “Messiah” at Jones Hall. What makes holiday concerts so merry and bright? Read on to hear from Houston Symphony Chorus members! … Continued
Houston Symphony subscribers are a vital part of the Symphony family. While we are thankful for them every day, November marks our annual Subscriber Appreciation Month when we get to show just how much you mean to us! Did you know that on average, roughly 40% off annual ticket sales come from our loyal subscriber … Continued
The Houston Symphony’s signature event of the 2019–20 season, Schumann Festival: Angels and Demons celebrates German composer Robert Schumann (1810–1856). As a music critic, he championed the work of a young Johannes Brahms, whose Violin Concerto is also a part of the Symphony’s Classical series on December 5, 7 & 8. Before Robert’s untimely death, … Continued