Our new season is just one month away (and we’re counting down the days!) Need a little help deciding which concerts to see? Houston Symphony staff members are here for you! Read on for a few of their top concert picks.
As part of our commitment to making your concert experience seamless, the Houston Symphony now offers mobile ticket delivery for most performances. If you selected the Mobile Friendly Ticket option during checkout, here’s what you can expect. After Your Purchase You’ll immediately receive: A confirmation page on our website A confirmation email with your order … Continued
John Williams and Steven Spielberg are one of Hollywood’s most iconic duos. The then up-and-coming composers and directors would never have guessed from their fateful meeting, that they would be lifelong collaborators reshaping the industry. As Spielberg says, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in … Continued
Few musical acts have defined an era quite like the Bee Gees. With their unmistakable harmonies, infectious grooves, and chart-topping hits, the Gibb brothers—Barry, Robin, and Maurice—became the face of disco and one of the most successful groups in music history. But their impact goes far beyond the shimmering dance floors of the 1970s. As … Continued
Fairytales have long enchanted audiences, weaving stories of magic, adventure, and transformation. Yet, many of the tales we know and love today have undergone significant changes over time. The dark, often gruesome stories collected by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and others, have been softened into the family friendly versions made famous by Disney. … Continued
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions that women have made in society. From the inception of the Houston Symphony, women have played a vital role in shaping the organization. The Symphony was founded in 1913 by Ima Hogg, a visionary philanthropist and Houston area arts advocate. Under the … Continued
Ever wonder how a major symphony orchestra goes about buying an instrument? When the Houston Symphony finds itself in need of a new piano, for instance, it can’t just go to the nearest mall music store, or scour the ads to pick up Aunt Xenobia’s used upright. This is an instrument that has to meet … Continued
Opera is one of the most profound and thriving art forms in classical music. The collaborative blend of voice and instrument create works of art that has allowed the practice to thrive throughout the centuries. As we gear up for Viva Italia! Opera Beyond Words on February 7 & 9, let’s take a glimpse beyond … Continued
On January 11th and 12th, the Houston Symphony reunites once again with former music director, Christoph Eschenbach in celebration of his 85th birthday and Bruckner’s 200th anniversary birthday. Though they were born more than a century apart, Eschenbach shares a connection with Bruckner as if they were close friends. It has been recorded that Bruckner … Continued
On December 7 & 8, the Houston Symphony presents A Viennese Waltz Christmas featuring pieces from the Strauss Family: Johann Strauss, Johann Strauss Jr., and Josef Strauss. Discover the relationship between the Strauss’s and a highlight of one of the most well-known operettas in classical history. Johann Strauss Johann Strauss Jr. Josef Strauss
By Lauren Buchanan The school year is well underway in the Greater Houston area and with it comes the 2024-25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series. The Houston Symphony’s beloved concert series, curated and led by Associate Conductor Gonzalo Farias, provides low-cost full orchestra concerts for upper elementary and middle school students at … Continued
In the holiday realm filled with wonder and excitement, one film brings audiences of all ages through the doors of Halloween Town and Christmas Town. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, is an American stop-motion film that blends two holidays into an adventure of a lifetime filled … Continued
The Curse of the Ninth: Classical Music’s Horror Story “The curse of the ninth” is an eerie superstition that has haunted composers for over a century. It warns that the grim reaper might just come knocking once a composer pens their ninth symphony. So, in the spirit of Halloween, let’s dive into the mystery behind … Continued
Don Quixote is a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts—Part 1 in 1605 and Part 2 in 1651—it is considered the first modern novel and is one of the most translated books in the world. The story centers around a middle-aged Spanish nobleman named Alonso Quixano. Inspired by the … Continued
Schubert’s Eighth Symphony and the Mystery of Unfinished Masterworks Join the Houston Symphony on November 29, 30, and December 1 for Thanksgiving Weekend: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. Music Director Juraj Valčuha leads the orchestra in Schubert’s haunting and dramatic Symphony No. 8, Unfinished, followed by Berg’s towering Three Pieces for Orchestra. Acclaimed pianist Yefim Bronfman will … Continued
Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy on January 12, 1959, is not just a record label; it’s a cultural movement that brought together people from all walks of life through its unique sound and compelling narratives. As we gear up for the Houston Symphony’s concert “The Music of Motown,” let’s take a moment to reflect … Continued
Photo in cover: Dvořák’s 9th Symphony premiered at Carnegie Hall on December 16, 1893 See Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World on October 4, 5, and 6 in an all-Czech program kicking off the 2024–2025 season and the Bohemian Rhapsody Festival. From the New World: The Country That Inspired a Symphony and … Continued
The Houston Symphony’s DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program has wrapped up its second year, marking another successful year of providing free violin training to elementary school students in Houston’s 5th Ward. In partnership with the Fifth Ward Cultural Art District’s DeLUXE Theater and American Festival of the Arts (AFA), this program—led by the Symphony’s dedicated … Continued
Join the Houston Symphony and Music Director Juraj Valčuha for the conclusion of the Tragedy and Triumph Festival on March 22, 23 & 24, and experience the power of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica. Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony has captivated and astounded audiences since its premiere over two centuries ago. For possibly the first time, a … Continued
Tōru Takemitsu, a self-taught composer, stands as a remarkable figure in the musical landscape, seamlessly weaving together diverse influences to create a sound uniquely his own. While his early lessons with Japanese composer Yasuji Kiyose focused more on art and aesthetics than composition, Takemitsu’s post-World War II exploration of Japanese music and involvement in the “New … Continued