On November 22, 23, and 24, the Houston Symphony presents Trifonov Plays Tchaikovsky, a program featuring world-renowned virtuoso Daniil Trifonov in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, plus Ravel’s vibrant orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. In this post, discover the pictures that inspired this musical art gallery. Learn more about Mussorgsky’s masterpiece in our podcast. One … Continued
On November 22, 23, and 24, the Houston Symphony presents Trifonov Plays Tchaikovsky, a program featuring world-renowned virtuoso Daniil Trifonov in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In this post, discover one of history’s most popular (and unconventional) masterpieces. You Can’t Please Everyone Today, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is one of the most popular pieces of … Continued
On November 15, 16, and 17, acclaimed conductor Fabien Gabel returns to Houston for Ax Plays Beethoven, a program featuring works by Beethoven and Brahms. In this post, discover the hidden meanings in Brahms’ gorgeous Symphony No. 2. Brahms took at least 14 years to complete his First Symphony (and perhaps more than 20); to a … Continued
On December 5, 7, and 8, the Houston Symphony presents the world premiere of Ad Astra, a new symphony by Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López Bellido (the program also features the internationally renowned virtuoso Gil Shaham in Brahms’ classic Violin Concerto). Get a preview of Jimmy’s exciting and imaginative new work below. Perhaps no sound is more … Continued
On November 15, 16, and 17, world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax joins the Houston Symphony for Ax Plays Beethoven, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In this post, discover the musical twists and turns of this bold and daring masterpiece. Though Beethoven’s C major piano concerto is known today as his first, it was actually the … Continued
In February 2020, the Houston Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada present the Schumann Festival: Angels and Demons, a celebration of German composer Robert Schumann. The signature event of the 2019–20 season, this immersive, two-week festival gives audiences the unique chance to experience the full spectrum of Schumann’s musical output while diving into one of … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, the Houston Symphony presents Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. The selections from Richard Wagner’s operas Tannhäuser and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg offer moments for the brass section to shine. Allen Barnhill, principal trombone, discusses the challenges and … Continued
This Thanksgiving weekend, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada leads an all-Strauss program that showcases the virtuoso abilities of our fabulous musicians. Joining Andrés and the orchestra is world-renowned Swedish soprano Miah Persson, who sings Strauss’s Four Last Songs, the composer’s gorgeous final masterpiece. Get to know this golden-voiced artist as she discusses Strauss, new music, Texas, … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, world-renowned Wagner conductor Marek Janowski leads Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. In this post, discover some of the moving and festive music Wagner composed for his opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. The idea for … Continued
Halloween is around the corner! Get in the spooky spirit with these Houston Symphony concerts filled with frights and musical delights. Mendelssohn & Mahler October 4–6 Betrayal. Murder. Pagan rituals. Ghost stories. The choral masterpieces on this program, Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht and Mahler’s Das klagende Lied (perhaps inspired by the Grimms’ story The Singing … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, world-renowned conductor Marek Janowski leads Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. In this post, discover how Beethoven composed one of his most up-beat works in the midst of personal crisis. Want to learn more? Check out our podcast on … Continued
Even longtime Houston Symphony subscribers may be surprised to learn that Houston Symphony Chorus members are all volunteers. Led by Houston Symphony Chorus Director Betsy Cook Weber, the Chorus features gifted vocalists from all walks of life, each bringing their passion for music to every performance. From a German-language cantata to a contemporary Spanish-language oratorio, … Continued
On October 4, 5, and 6, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducts Mendelssohn and Mahler, a program of spooky masterpieces featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus. In this post, discover the secret pagan rituals of Mendelssohn’s choral masterpiece, Die erste Walpurgisnacht. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. To this day, people throughout Northern and Eastern Europe continue to frighten … Continued
On November 7, 8, 9, and 10, the Houston Symphony continues to explore John Williams’s iconic music with performances of the score to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back live to picture. Many Houston Symphony musicians are also big Star Wars fans, including Phillip Freeman, the Houston Symphony’s bass trombonist. Here, Freeman shares … Continued
Lunada, an outdoor concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre, brings the music of the Houston Symphony to Houstonians of all backgrounds—but what is a lunada? From the Spanish for moon, a lunada is a gathering, celebration, or meeting that takes place outdoors on an evening when there is a full moon. This type of event is … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, world-renowned Wagner conductor Marek Janowski leads Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. In this post, discover the scandalously sensual music Wagner composed for his opera Tannhäuser. Tannhäuser, Richard Wagner’s fifth completed opera, was composed from 1842 and 1845 … Continued
On September 27, 28, and 29, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada presents Gershwin’s Piano Concerto & Porgy and Bess, a concert of 20th-century masterpieces from the Western hemisphere. In this post, discover how composer Carlos Chávez “Mexicanized” the European orchestra in his groundbreaking Sinfonía india. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. The Mexican Revolution of 1910–1920 was one of … Continued
On October 4, 5, and 6, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducts Mendelssohn and Mahler, a program of spooky masterpieces featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus. In this post, discover the chilling ghost story that inspired Mahler’s first mature work, Das klagende Lied. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. “Ever since she had taught him to … Continued
This month, we welcome a new member of the Houston Symphony family, contrabassoon Adam Trussell, who joined the orchestra in June. Before joining the Houston Symphony, Adam was a full-time member of the Oregon Symphony (2011–2019) as second bassoon and of the Omaha Symphony (2005– 2011) as assistant principal bassoon. He is also principal bassoon … Continued
On September 27, 28, and 29, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada presents Gershwin’s Piano Concerto & Porgy and Bess, a concert of 20th-century masterpieces from the Western hemisphere. In this post, discover how Aaron Copland’s visit to Mexico led the composer in a whole new direction. Learn more and get tickets. Eager to entice his friend and fellow … Continued