After a lengthy hiatus of community concerts, the Symphony is delighted to return for two exciting performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre, each highlighting a different section of the orchestra. Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Conducting Fellow Yue Bao, who was instrumental in the success of the 2020–21 Season, will lead the concerts on … Continued
The lights are dimming, the audiences shuffle in, and the distant sound of instruments tuning up perfumes the air with their musical scent. From the first downbeat of the conductor’s baton, you are transported to another world—possible destinations include a dusty farm in the Oklahoma territory; the lush, green mountains of Salzburg; and the steamy … Continued
March is Women’s History Month and the Houston Symphony is marking the occasion by talking with Joan DerHovsepian, acting principal viola; Aralee Dorough, principal flute; and MuChen Hsieh, principal second violin; about their musical influences and the women that have inspired and helped them along the way. Houston Symphony: Who are some of your female influences … Continued
On Saturday, August 22, members of the Houston Symphony continue the livestream concert series Live from Jones Hall with an evening of two pieces by Mozart, as well as a double bass concerto by a composer described as “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart,” Missy Mazzoli. Robin Kesselman, principal double bass, takes on the piece entitled Dark with … Continued
It goes without saying that the opener to the 2020–21 Bank of America POPS season is one of the most anticipated concerts in recent history. After a six month hiatus from the glitz and glamour, colored lights, stellar vocalists, and renowned musicality of your Houston Symphony, we are beyond excited to resume POPS programming with … Continued
Leonardo Soto, principal timpani, shared his experience of returning to playing timpani on the Jones Hall stage last week for the first time since spring. How does it feel to return to playing timpani on stage? Leonardo Soto: It’s the closest thing to normal so far, just to play timpani on a symphony—that’s what I … Continued
National Vinyl Record Day is August 12, a day of vinyl appreciation and a commemoration of Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph. In celebration of the day, Brian Del Signore, principal percussion, shares memories of a vinyl record that has long shaped his appreciation of music—and you may be surprised to learn where he got … Continued
Ready for the first Live from Jones Hall livestream chamber concert? Discover more about the night’s repertoire, from a quartet by trailblazing composer Florence Price to a vibrant Czech Capriccio to two favorites by Bach. You can also check out full musician bios here. Live from Jones Hall: Bach, Price & Janáček Saturday, July 11, … Continued
Hi, kids! Today, we are going to continue moving our bodies to the music! Let’s talk about Johann Strauss, Sr.’s Radetzky March. THE CHALLENGE: Let’s see how we can use our bodies make rhythms! Let the music guide you through the marching challenge. Imagine you are a soldier or marching band musician on parade! March … Continued
Classical musicians often hear the question, “What do you listen to in your spare time?” Sheldon Person, viola, shares this notated playlist of a few of his jazz favorites. As we all have recently, I’ve found myself working from my home office more than usual. This time has given me an opportunity to spend some … Continued
“To be able to perform this song creates an emotional bridge.” In a video created in their Houston homes, Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians Rainel Joubert, violin, and David Connor, double bass, find a way to duet in a time of social distancing. For their virtual concert, Rainel selected “Bésame Mucho,” which he and Dave have … Continued
Instantly arresting. Brazenly theatrical. Larger than life. To experience a Mahler symphony live is an experience unlike any other. In his Seventh Symphony, Mahler paints with every color in the orchestral palette—from clanging cowbell to strumming mandolin—to summon nocturnal worlds both nightmarish and serene, menacingly dark and lustrously moonlit. Night erupts into dazzling day in … Continued
According to the Houston Chronicle, if Houston were a country, it would rank fourth in the world for refugee resettlement. Refugees are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends, but we do not always know their stories. For more than 450 members of Houston’s classical music community packing White Oak Music Hall on June 13, … Continued
This year’s Ima Hogg Competition features nine young musicians who hail from three countries and five different U.S. states, including two from Texas (and three Rice University graduates). Together, the group has won more than 60 awards and accolades—and all before their 26th birthdays! Read on to learn more about the talented competitors who compete … Continued
A sweeping choral masterpiece, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells features 138 Houston Symphony Chorus singers joining the orchestra for the Russian composer’s own favorite composition on May 9, 11, and 12. While the evening concludes with this powerhouse choral symphony, it begins more intimately—with 40 unaccompanied singers in a pre-concert prelude. Betsy Cook Weber, director of the … Continued
On May 9, 11, and 12, the Houston Symphony presents award-winning American pianist George Li in not one, but two virtuoso works for piano and orchestra. In this post, discover how the young Prokofiev flouted conventions and got the better of his professors with his Piano Concerto No. 1. Get tickets and more information here. One … Continued
Above: Detail of Jean Honoré Fragonard’s The Love Letter. This Thanksgiving weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan back to Jones Hall for performances of Mozart’s enchanting Piano Concerto No. 22. Learn more about this colorful work in this post. Mozart completed the Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major on December 16, … Continued
Richard Harris joined the Houston Symphony as second trumpet in 2018. Previously, for eight years he was a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, where he became the only musician in an American orchestra to win auditions for each position in one trumpet section. A Yamaha Performing Artist, he has performed with the Seoul and … Continued
Andrew Pedersen joined the Houston Symphony Double Bass section in August 2017. A native of Batavia, Illinois, Andrew received his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and master’s degree from Rice University, where he studied with Robert Kassinger and former Houston Symphony Principal Bass Timothy Pitts, respectively. Other mentors include Paul Ellison, Alexander Hanna and Gregory … Continued
Anne Leek, oboe, was educated at Juilliard where she received her bachelors of music, masters of music and doctor of musical arts degrees. During her time in New York, she performed on a recital in Carnegie Hall sponsored by the Artists International Contest, which she won. During the 1980s, Anne was solo principal oboe of … Continued