The 2021–22 Classical Season comes to a crescendo with the highly anticipated weekend featuring Beethoven’s joyous Ninth Symphony. The final work completed by Beethoven, this choral symphony is often regarded as his greatest and one of classical music’s most remarkable pieces overall. Harkened with illusions of wine and nature in a reflection of when “All … Continued

As Women’s History Month closes out, we’re spotlighting some of the women composers programmed during the 2021–22 Season. Learn more about their backgrounds and hear their music at upcoming performances! Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979) was a French music teacher, composer and conductor. Her students included prominent artists like Quincy Jones, Aaron Copland, and Astor Piazzolla. This … Continued

This weekend, the Houston Symphony performs Saint-Saëns’s beloved The Carnival of the Animals, a delightful—and often humorous—musical “zoo” which uses the instruments of the orchestra to portray a colorful cavalcade of animals. Read on to find out what Houston Symphony musicians Scott Holshouser and Brinton Averil Smith are most looking forward to in this weekend’s … Continued

We’re kicking off Black History Month by highlighting some of the Black composers programmed for the 2021–22 Season. Take a moment to learn more about their backgrounds and tune into our upcoming concerts! Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745–1799) was a French composer, violinist, conductor, and master swordsman. He directed and was concertmaster of Le Concert des … Continued

This Valentine’s weekend, the Houston Symphony is delighted to present a program of sparkling French works sure to provide the perfect soundtrack for your date night. Not only will this program feature two virtuosic showpieces for piano and orchestra and highlight two of the most fascinating figures and amazing talents in music history—sisters Lili and … Continued

This weekend, the Houston Symphony will perform Canadian composer and conductor Samy Moussa’s Nocturne. Read on to learn more about Samy’s musical style and inspiration behind this dark and atmospheric work. Composer and conductor Samy Moussa Houston Symphony: Does your background in conducting impact your compositional style? If so, how? Samy Moussa: I am often … Continued

As we continue our annual Subscriber Month appreciation, a time that allows us to say thank you to our most loyal supporters, we recently spotlighted two long-time Houston Symphony patrons who have made a home at Jones Hall. This week we were delighted to speak to two new patrons who are equally at home among … Continued

With magnetic charisma, expressive scat singing, and incredible trumpet skills, Louis Armstrong changed music forever. This weekend, the Houston Symphony pays tribute to the icon with Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Songbook, featuring acclaimed vocalist and trumpeter, Byron Stripling. Widely recognized as the founding father of Jazz, Satchmo’s influence as an artist, musician and cultural … Continued

Each November, the Houston Symphony takes time to reflect on all the wonderful support supplied by our Subscriber Family in the form of our annual Subscriber Appreciation Month. Without your loyalty and love for the Symphony, our work would not be possible. We take this month to focus our love for you! As a gesture … Continued

This weekend, October 29–31, renowned conductor Jader Bignamini leads the Houston Symphony in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The last movement, “Dream of the Witches’ Sabbath”, features offstage bells custom-made for the Symphony. Principal Percussion Brian Del Signore gives a demonstration of these bells, funded by the Beauchamp Foundation. Houston Symphony: Can you tell us the history … Continued

This weekend, October 29–31, we will perform Symphonie fantasique—classical music’s wildest ride! This thrilling performance also features Principal Flute Aralee Dorough in Sarasate’s virtuosic Carmen Fantasy. Although this piece was originally written for violin, Aralee shares how she will adapt it for the flute and provides additional Carmen insights! Houston Symphony: Do you have a … Continued

This month the Houston Symphony is delighted to welcome back our friend and frequent collaborator, the esteemed Dame Jane Glover who will lead the orchestra in Mendelssohn’s picturesque Scottish Symphony. Quickly into his first and only trip to Scotland, inspiration struck the composer, which he recounted in a series of letters back home about the … Continued

Travel opens up new worlds and creates memories of a lifetime, but in recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many of us from getting away as much as we’d like. Luckily, music provides us with the chance to enjoy a mini-getaway without leaving home, and this fall, the Houston Symphony is serving up a … Continued

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting some Hispanic composers that will be featured this Saturday in Fiesta Sinfónica, and others that we have programmed in the past. Take a few moments to learn about their incredible stories and inspiration behind their music. Manuel de Falla (November 1876–1946) was born in Cádiz, Spain—a province in Andalusia—and took piano lessons with Alejandro Odero at the age of 13 … Continued

The Houston Symphony continues its Bank of America POPS Season with a high energy throwback to some of the 20th Century’s best hits with Whole Lotta Shakin’: Swing to Rock, featuring multi-instrumental phenomenon Dave Bennett, who will play not one, not even two, but  three different instruments during the performance! This celebration of all things Swing, Big Band, and Rockabilly actually … Continued

This weekend, we’re excited to be joined by Grammy award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich as soloist and leader. The Artistry of Augustin Hadelich offers an eclectic program featuring the music of Bach, Shostakovich, and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. If you’re unfamiliar with 18th century composer Saint-Georges, here’s five things you should know about him!  French and African heritage. Saint-Georges’ given name was Joseph Bologne, and he was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a wealthy planter and the planter’s wife’s African slave. Upon becoming a chevalier … Continued

This weekend, amazing artistry and beloved favorites come together in The Artistry of Augustin Hadelich, featuring pieces by Bach, Shostakovich, and Saint-Georges. Grammy Award-winning Hadelich, “one of the outstanding violinists of his generation,” (New York Times) returns as soloist and leader with the Symphony, last appearing in Houston in January 2020.   Principal Oboe Jonathan Fischer joins Hadelich to open the program with Bach’s marvelous Concerto for Violin … Continued

This weekend the Houston Symphony will play some of Beethoven’s greatest hits in Andrés Conducts Beethoven’s Fifth, as we celebrate the return of Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada to lead the orchestra. The program features Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, as well as his sparkling “Triple” Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano featuring Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith, and world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman. A few weeks ago, we spoke to Principal … Continued