You may not have heard of it, but it’s kind of like the European “Grammy.” It’s called the ECHO Klassik Award.
The Houston Symphony was awarded the distinguished 2017 ECHO Klassik Award for Best Opera Recording (20th/21st Century Opera), for their recording of Wozzeck. Alban Berg’s opera Wozzeck is about a soldier who commits a murder out of jealousy – a tragedy full of angst and compassion.
“Wozzeck is a very important piece, and in my opinion it’s absolutely not justified that it’s not better known,” said former Houston Symphony Music Director Hans Graf, who conducted their performances of Wozzeck and produced their winning album.
Recorded during concerts at Jones Hall in 2013 and edited by then Houston Public Media engineer, Brad Sayles, the album was released earlier this year by Naxos.
Former Chief of Artistic Planning, Aurelie Desmarais, was also instrumental in the project. “It’s the largest award that the Houston Symphony has received – the greatest level of international recognition for a recording,” she said.
Graf and Desmarais will attend the red carpet gala to accept the Houston Symphony’s 2017 ECHO Klassik Award this Sunday, October 29 in a televised broadcast from Hamburg, Germany.
Hear the complete interview with Hans Graf and Aurelie Desmarais on performing and recording “Wozzeck,” and on winning the ECHO Klassik and getting ready for the red carpet, here: http://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/arts-culture/2017/10/26/244929/houston-symphony-wins-major-international-music-award/
