Each November, the Houston Symphony takes time to reflect on all the wonderful support supplied by our Subscriber Family in the form of our annual Subscriber Appreciation Month. Without your loyalty and love for the Symphony, our work would not be possible. We take this month to focus our love for you! As a gesture … Continued

This weekend, October 29–31, renowned conductor Jader Bignamini leads the Houston Symphony in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The last movement, “Dream of the Witches’ Sabbath”, features offstage bells custom-made for the Symphony. Principal Percussion Brian Del Signore gives a demonstration of these bells, funded by the Beauchamp Foundation. Houston Symphony: Can you tell us the history … Continued

This weekend, October 29–31, we will perform Symphonie fantasique—classical music’s wildest ride! This thrilling performance also features Principal Flute Aralee Dorough in Sarasate’s virtuosic Carmen Fantasy. Although this piece was originally written for violin, Aralee shares how she will adapt it for the flute and provides additional Carmen insights! Houston Symphony: Do you have a … Continued

This month the Houston Symphony is delighted to welcome back our friend and frequent collaborator, the esteemed Dame Jane Glover who will lead the orchestra in Mendelssohn’s picturesque Scottish Symphony. Quickly into his first and only trip to Scotland, inspiration struck the composer, which he recounted in a series of letters back home about the … Continued

Travel opens up new worlds and creates memories of a lifetime, but in recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented many of us from getting away as much as we’d like. Luckily, music provides us with the chance to enjoy a mini-getaway without leaving home, and this fall, the Houston Symphony is serving up a … Continued

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting some Hispanic composers that will be featured this Saturday in Fiesta Sinfónica, and others that we have programmed in the past. Take a few moments to learn about their incredible stories and inspiration behind their music. Manuel de Falla (November 1876–1946) was born in Cádiz, Spain—a province in Andalusia—and took piano lessons with Alejandro Odero at the age of 13 … Continued

The Houston Symphony continues its Bank of America POPS Season with a high energy throwback to some of the 20th Century’s best hits with Whole Lotta Shakin’: Swing to Rock, featuring multi-instrumental phenomenon Dave Bennett, who will play not one, not even two, but  three different instruments during the performance! This celebration of all things Swing, Big Band, and Rockabilly actually … Continued

This weekend, we’re excited to be joined by Grammy award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich as soloist and leader. The Artistry of Augustin Hadelich offers an eclectic program featuring the music of Bach, Shostakovich, and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. If you’re unfamiliar with 18th century composer Saint-Georges, here’s five things you should know about him!  French and African heritage. Saint-Georges’ given name was Joseph Bologne, and he was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a wealthy planter and the planter’s wife’s African slave. Upon becoming a chevalier … Continued

This weekend, amazing artistry and beloved favorites come together in The Artistry of Augustin Hadelich, featuring pieces by Bach, Shostakovich, and Saint-Georges. Grammy Award-winning Hadelich, “one of the outstanding violinists of his generation,” (New York Times) returns as soloist and leader with the Symphony, last appearing in Houston in January 2020.   Principal Oboe Jonathan Fischer joins Hadelich to open the program with Bach’s marvelous Concerto for Violin … Continued

This weekend the Houston Symphony will play some of Beethoven’s greatest hits in Andrés Conducts Beethoven’s Fifth, as we celebrate the return of Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada to lead the orchestra. The program features Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, as well as his sparkling “Triple” Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano featuring Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith, and world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman. A few weeks ago, we spoke to Principal … Continued

Later this month, September 17–19, we celebrate Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s return to Houston with Beethoven’s immortal Fifth symphony. This much anticipated concert includes Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano on the program, with soloists Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith, and world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman. Below, Brinton shares insight into his concert preparation, collaboration with esteemed soloists, and excitement over working with Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada once again.  Houston Symphony: How much does performing a concerto … Continued

Next month, Houston Symphony Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke is joined by Broadway vocalists Matt Doyle, Montego Glover, Katie Rose Clarke, and Jordan Donica to celebrate the music by eight-time Academy Award-winning and eleven-time Grammy Award-winning composer Alan Menken in the 2021–22 POPS Series opener, Once Upon a Time: Alan Menken’s Broadway on Sept. 3–5. … Continued

The Houston Symphony opens its 2021–22 Bank of America POPS Season with a musical tribute to Alan Menken, the man who gave sound to an underwater kingdom in A Little Mermaid, scored the noble tale of a resilient and brave Native daughter, Pocahontas, and harmonized “A Whole New World,” in turn defining an entire generation … Continued

The Houston Symphony begins its highly anticipated 2021–22 Season with a blazing crescendo, featuring Beethoven’s immortal Fifth Symphony. This concert also includes the return of Andrés Orozco-Estrada, marking his first performance with the Symphony since the pandemic and his final season as Music Director. Read about the man behind the music and the structure of … Continued

Last month, the Houston Symphony partnered with The Community of Faith to present a special Neighborhood Concert for the church’s congregation and larger community which it serves. The Community of Faith is an important church within the Houston community, serving a large congregation in Acres Homes, one of the Mayor’s Complete Communities, and under the leadership … Continued

Today, August 5, is Blogger Day, and what better way to celebrate than highlight the top five blogs from last season. Over the course of 2020–21, the Houston Symphony overcame the challenges of COVID-19 with both in-hall, socially distanced concerts and livestreams (viewed in over 40 countries and all 50 states!) Read more from the … Continued

In recent decades, a novel form of therapy is developing in the mental health profession, aimed at reducing stress and physical discomfort for patients. Music therapy focuses on providing a deeper connection to music via therapeutic and homeopathic means. To better understand this phenomenal treatment, we sat down with music therapist Melissa Sandoval and Houston … Continued

In partnership with Spec’s Wine, Spirits, and Finer Foods, our friends at Frankly Organic Vodka, a distillery based in Austin, are donating $1 on every bottle sold throughout July and August in support of the Houston Symphony’s education and community initiatives. Frankly Organic prides itself on using organic ingredients with no refined sugar, gluten, GMOs, … Continued

After a year that reminded so many of us just how valuable live musical experiences are, our upcoming season promises to be one of the most emotional and highly anticipated in our 108-year history. From Beethoven 5 and 9 to Return of the Jedi on the big screen and music of Aretha Franklin, there are … Continued

A Reflection on Pride Month with Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke     Each June, Pride Month celebrates the history, accomplishments, and uniqueness of the LGTBQ+ community, while also recognizing their continued movement and calls for equality. Throughout history, the achievements of LGTBQ+ musicians—including greats like Tchaikovsky, Poulenc, and Leonard Bernstein; to contemporary composers like Mohammed Fairouz, … Continued