On September 23, 24, and 25, The Houston Symphony presents Joshua Bell + Shostakovich 5, featuring a world premiere, superstar Joshua Bell, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. In this post, learn about one of Shostakovich’s many clashes with the Soviet government and how it produced this monumental symphony. “My new composition can be called a … Continued
On September 23, 24, & 25, classical superstar Joshua Bell returns to the Houston Symphony to play Sibelius’s sparkling Violin Concerto. In this post, read Joshua Bell’s essay on his Gibson ex Huberman violin. Get tickets and more information for Joshua Bell + Shostakovich 5. The Huberman Violin by Joshua Bell My violin is over … Continued
Next month, Houston Symphony Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke is joined by Broadway vocalists Matt Doyle, Montego Glover, Katie Rose Clarke, and Jordan Donica to celebrate the music by eight-time Academy Award-winning and eleven-time Grammy Award-winning composer Alan Menken in the 2021–22 POPS Series opener, Once Upon a Time: Alan Menken’s Broadway on Sept. 3–5. … Continued
The Houston Symphony opens its 2021–22 Bank of America POPS Season with a musical tribute to Alan Menken, the man who gave sound to an underwater kingdom in A Little Mermaid, scored the noble tale of a resilient and brave Native daughter, Pocahontas, and harmonized “A Whole New World,” in turn defining an entire generation … Continued
The Houston Symphony begins its highly anticipated 2021–22 Season with a blazing crescendo, featuring Beethoven’s immortal Fifth Symphony. This concert also includes the return of Andrés Orozco-Estrada, marking his first performance with the Symphony since the pandemic and his final season as Music Director. Read about the man behind the music and the structure of … Continued
Last month, the Houston Symphony partnered with The Community of Faith to present a special Neighborhood Concert for the church’s congregation and larger community which it serves. The Community of Faith is an important church within the Houston community, serving a large congregation in Acres Homes, one of the Mayor’s Complete Communities, and under the leadership … Continued
Today, August 5, is Blogger Day, and what better way to celebrate than highlight the top five blogs from last season. Over the course of 2020–21, the Houston Symphony overcame the challenges of COVID-19 with both in-hall, socially distanced concerts and livestreams (viewed in over 40 countries and all 50 states!) Read more from the … Continued
In recent decades, a novel form of therapy is developing in the mental health profession, aimed at reducing stress and physical discomfort for patients. Music therapy focuses on providing a deeper connection to music via therapeutic and homeopathic means. To better understand this phenomenal treatment, we sat down with music therapist Melissa Sandoval and Houston … Continued
In partnership with Spec’s Wine, Spirits, and Finer Foods, our friends at Frankly Organic Vodka, a distillery based in Austin, are donating $1 on every bottle sold throughout July and August in support of the Houston Symphony’s education and community initiatives. Frankly Organic prides itself on using organic ingredients with no refined sugar, gluten, GMOs, … Continued
After a year that reminded so many of us just how valuable live musical experiences are, our upcoming season promises to be one of the most emotional and highly anticipated in our 108-year history. From Beethoven 5 and 9 to Return of the Jedi on the big screen and music of Aretha Franklin, there are … Continued
A Reflection on Pride Month with Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke Each June, Pride Month celebrates the history, accomplishments, and uniqueness of the LGTBQ+ community, while also recognizing their continued movement and calls for equality. Throughout history, the achievements of LGTBQ+ musicians—including greats like Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, and Leonard Bernstein; to contemporary composers like Mohammed Fairouz, … Continued
After a lengthy hiatus of community concerts, the Symphony is delighted to return for two exciting performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre, each highlighting a different section of the orchestra. Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Conducting Fellow Yue Bao, who was instrumental in the success of the 2020–21 Season, will lead the concerts on … Continued
It goes without saying that the opener to the 2020–21 Bank of America POPS season is one of the most anticipated concerts in recent history. After a six month hiatus from the glitz and glamour, colored lights, stellar vocalists, and renowned musicality of your Houston Symphony, we are beyond excited to resume POPS programming with … Continued
Leonardo Soto, principal timpani, shared his experience of returning to playing timpani on the Jones Hall stage last week for the first time since spring. How does it feel to return to playing timpani on stage? Leonardo Soto: It’s the closest thing to normal so far, just to play timpani on a symphony—that’s what I … Continued
Our second Live from Jones Hall livestream concert shines a light on the members of the Houston Symphony’s string and wind sections as small ensembles take center stage. Discover more about the night’s repertoire—Strauss’s deeply poignant Metamorphosen – Realisation for String Septet and Mozart’s lyrical and graceful Wind Serenade in E-flat major. You can also … Continued
Ready for the first Live from Jones Hall livestream chamber concert? Discover more about the night’s repertoire, from a quartet by trailblazing composer Florence Price to a vibrant Czech Capriccio to two favorites by Bach. You can also check out full musician bios here. Live from Jones Hall: Bach, Price & Janáček Saturday, July 11, … Continued
Announcing the semi-finalists of the 2018 Ima Hogg Solo Competition! See these future stars of classical music in performance at the competition semi-finals, May 31 from 9am-4pm at Stude Concert Hall at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Admission to the semi-finals is FREE. And get your tickets now for the exciting Finals round, June … Continued
You may not have heard of it, but it’s kind of like the European “Grammy.” It’s called the ECHO Klassik Award. The Houston Symphony was awarded the distinguished 2017 ECHO Klassik Award for Best Opera Recording (20th/21st Century Opera), for their recording of Wozzeck. Alban Berg’s opera Wozzeck is about a soldier who commits a murder out of jealousy – a tragedy full of … Continued
Dear Houston Symphony Family Member, The past few months have brought catastrophic losses and challenges to our community—but they have also demonstrated to the world just how united, selfless and #Strong Houston really is. While Jones Hall suffered less than some nearby venues, the damage and subsequent repairs led to the displacement of our orchestra … Continued
This season, the Houston Symphony welcomes its dynamic new Principal POPS Conductor, Steven Reineke. In addition to his new post in Houston, this in-demand conductor is also the Music Director of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing … Continued