On May 30, 31 & June 1, the Houston Symphony closes its 2024–25 Season with a sonic wonder unlike anything else in music: Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 radiates dynamism, charm and eloquence, and it closes with one of the most glowing slow movements in the orchestral repertoire. But let’s be … Continued
This post is continued from a previous post, which you can read here. Last time, we discovered the Jaliscan origins of Mariachi music and the economic and social forces of industrialization and revolution that transformed the sound of Mariachi. The evolution of Mariachi music was far from complete, however; the plain clothes and humble status … Continued
Today, Mariachi music is an unmistakable symbol of Mexico and Mexican culture throughout the world. There are Mariachi ensembles in the UK, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, and Sweden, not to mention Mexico and the United States. Few people realize that Mariachi music as we know it today only recently evolved as part of the political, social, … Continued
From Mozart’s Requiem and Verdi’s Requiem, to our Mahler 3 season finale, the Houston Symphony Chorus has played an integral role in many of our 2014-15 Season concerts. This coming Sunday, May 31, the Chorus will shine on its own—they will be featured without the orchestra, and will perform works by Handel, J. S. Bach, … Continued
Below is a recent interview from the May issue of the Houston Symphony Magazine, “A Conversation with Dan Dunn, Houston-based Speed Painter.” We are excited to welcome back internationally acclaimed speed painter Dan Dunn, who joins Principal POPS Conductor Mike Krajewski and the Houston Symphony for The Paintjam Concert Experience at Jones Hall. Improvising on a grand scale, Dunn … Continued
Ever since its London premiere in 1886, Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 (nicknamed “the Organ Symphony” for the prominent role that instrument plays in it) has been one of the most popular symphonies in the repertoire. It is one of those rare works that instantly entered the canon of masterpieces and has remained there ever since. … Continued