To close out Classical Music Month, we caught up with some of our musicians to talk about their experience with classical music and what it means to them. Houston Symphony: What got you into classical music? Why did you choose your instrument?
For Silvestre Reveultas, Sensemayá made him one of the most well-known Mexican composers. Over ten years later, the piece gained international attention through a New York performance under the baton of former Houston Symphony Music Director Leopold Stokowski. See the Houston Symphony perform this oral tone poem along with Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring January 20, 21 … Continued
On September 23, 24, and 25, The Houston Symphony presents Joshua Bell + Shostakovich 5, featuring a world premiere, superstar Joshua Bell, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. In this post, learn about one of Shostakovich’s many clashes with the Soviet government and how it produced this monumental symphony. “My new composition can be called a … Continued
On September 30 and October 1 and 2, the Houston Symphony presents Gershwin Concerto in F, featuring Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1 and Gershwin’s Concerto in F, one of Gershwin’s many pieces that brought jazz into the classical world. One year after writing his fusion of jazz and classical music, Gershwin set out to show the … Continued
On September 23, 24, & 25, classical superstar Joshua Bell returns to the Houston Symphony to play Sibelius’s sparkling Violin Concerto. In this post, read Joshua Bell’s essay on his Gibson ex Huberman violin. Get tickets and more information for Joshua Bell + Shostakovich 5. The Huberman Violin by Joshua Bell My violin is over … Continued
On September 16, 17, and 18, the Symphony presents Verdi’s Requiem, a program featuring Verdi’s largest nonoperatic work. In this post, discover how two people influenced Verdi’s writing of this piece after their death. Described as bleak and foreboding, musicologist David Rosen says Verdi’s Requiem is “probably the most frequently performed major choral work composed … Continued
Legendary rapper Common returns to the Houston Symphony July 29 & 30 for a celebration of hip-hop! Before you join us at the Hobby Center, hear from Common’s Grammy award-winning arranger and producer, Derrick Hodge, on composing hip-hop music for symphony orchestra. Houston Symphony: What is your creative process for fusing hip-hop and orchestral music … Continued
The Houston Symphony has been “Savin’ All [Our] Love” for the hottest, one-night-only concert of summer–a powerful tribute to the iconic Whitney Houston. From iconic love ballads to dance-friendly pop favorites, sensational Broadway vocalist Rashidra Scott channels all the charm and musicality of the most-awarded female artist of all time for this can’t-miss event sure … Continued
The Houston Symphony closes its memorable 2021–22 Bank of America Pops Season with a bang with a can’t-miss tribute to the Master of Film Scores himself, the legendary John Williams. Having recently celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year, Williams’s illustrious career spans decades and his work for the silver screen has broken records and … Continued
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
ABOVE: Spec’s President/Owner and Houston Symphony Board President John Rydman and Houston Symphony Chief of Education & Community Engagement Pam Blaine presenting the Spec’s Charitable Foundation Educator Award to representatives from HISD’s Chavez Feeder Pattern. Each year, the Houston Symphony honors educators in the Salute to Educators concert. Educators who particularly stand out receive the … Continued
On April 22, 23, and 24, the Houston Symphony pays tribute to Aretha Franklin, celebrated and known world-wide as the Queen of Soul. Despite the fact that she was one of the most famous people on the planet with one of the most distinctive voices the music industry has ever heard, there are still a … 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
On October 30, the Houston Symphony participated in the Magnolia Park Día de Los Muertos Festival for the first time. This annual celebration occurred in the historic Latino neighborhood of Magnolia Park. We spoke with some key participants about their experience and involvement with the festival. Rovion Reed, Houston Symphony Associate Director of Education & … 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