So often, we like to keep music in neat little genre boxes: rock music is one thing, classical another. This weekend, however, three decades of rock ‘n’ roll take center stage at Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony’s Journey, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac & More concerts. Many rock classics will get the full orchestral treatment, … Continued
“As to my Requiem, perhaps I have also instinctively sought to escape from what is thought right and proper, after all the years of accompanying burial services on the organ! I know it all by heart. I wanted to write something different.” —Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem is one of the treasures of the choral … Continued
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “a first-rate artist of real musical command, vitality, brilliance, and intensity,” violinist Karen Gomyo is taking the world’s music halls by storm with her brilliant and insightful performances. This weekend, she joins the Houston Symphony in Mozart’s sparkling Violin Concerto No. 3. Recently, I got a chance to ask … Continued
Kirill Gerstein, virtuoso pianist and long-time friend of the Houston Symphony, returns on January 22–24 to perform a program with Andrés and the orchestra that includes Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. We spoke with Kirill recently to welcome him back to Houston. Houston Symphony Magazine: What is special to you about Ravel’s Piano … Continued
Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera is one of the most dynamic personalities in opera and classical music today: her multifaceted career includes not only a busy schedule of international performances, but also blogging, arts advocacy and arts administration. Recently, I got to ask her a few questions in advance of her upcoming performances of Handel’s Messiah with the Houston … Continued
Baritone Reginald Smith Jr. has had a busy 2015: he has traveled to Russia and across the United States for opera and concert performances and was also a winner of the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, one of the world’s most prestigious opera singing competitions (past winners have included Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes British pianist, composer, and author Stephen Hough to Jones Hall for performances of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Egyptian. Recently, I had the chance to ask Mr. Hough a few questions about this concerto. Calvin Dotsey: How would you describe Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 to … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony presents Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook, a tribute to one of America’s most popular and enduring singer/songwriters. Performing many of these songs will be the talented Liz Callaway, one of Broadway’s brightest stars. Liz Callaway has appeared many times on Broadway, including in Sunday in the Park with George, Evita and Cats, and … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes acclaimed pianist Lise de la Salle to Jones Hall for performances of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2. Recently, I got to ask Lise a few questions about what it’s like to play this masterpiece. Calvin Dotsey: How would you describe Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 to someone who has … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes acclaimed pianists (and twin sisters) Christina and Michelle Naughton to Jones Hall for performances of Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos. Recently, I got to ask Michelle a few questions about what it’s like to play this masterpiece and share her career with her twin sister, Christina. Calvin Dotsey: So, what … Continued
Recently, I had the opportunity to ask violin virtuoso Sarah Chang some questions about her up-coming performances of Barber’s Violin Concerto with the Houston Symphony this weekend. Calvin Dotsey: When did you first learn and perform this concerto? Sarah Chang: I adore the Barber Concerto! I learned it only 2 years ago, and absolutely fell … Continued