Symphony Notes is our donor publication, highlighting orchestra news and concert spotlights.

December 2022

2022-23 Season Festival Preview

This season, Music Director Juraj Valčuha will lead the orchestra and special guests in two unforgettable festivals taking place over two weekends: Riots & Scandals: Classical Music that Rocked the World (January 13–15, 2023, and January 20–22, 2023) and Songs of Earth (February 10–12, 2023, and February 17–19, 2023). Here’s a sneak peek of what you can look forward to!

Riots & Scandals: Classical Music that Rocked the World

For the opening weekend of Riots & Scandals (January 13–15, 2023), one of today’s most acclaimed and admired pianists, Yefim Bronfman, returns to perform with the orchestra. Bronfman will take on the staggering virtuosity of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concert No. 3, a piece so demanding that it is often described as the “Mt. Everest” of concertos. Also on the program is British composer Hannah Kendall’s The Spark Catchers.

Finally, Bartók’s Miraculous Mandarin, featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus alongside the orchestra, closes the evening. Incendiary when first premiered in 1926, the one act pantomime ballet was banned on moral grounds for its themes of sensuality and violence. Thankfully, Bartók’s explosive musical score remains, and these concerts are your chance to experience every white-hot note.

On the second weekend of the Riots & Scandals festival (January 20–22, 2023), the orchestra will perform Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring’s pounding rhythms, propulsive energy, and sonic energy for an electrifying experience unlike anything else in the art. “The work of a madman … sheer cacophony!” That is how composer Giacomo Puccini described Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring shortly after its premiere in 1913. And yet, a century after the ballet and orchestral work was met with derisive laughter and outrage, it is regarded as one of the most important musical works of the twentieth century.

Also in the program, Georgian-French pianist, Khatia Buniatishvili makes her Houston Symphony debut, joining Valčuha and the orchestra for Tchaikovsy’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The program also features Sensemayá by Silvestre Revueltas—widely considered one of the most significant figures of twentieth century Mexican music.

A newspaper headline detailing the scandalous premiere of The Rite of Spring

 

Songs of The Earth

The second festival, Songs of the Earth, features programming that melds music from the East with Western compositions. On the first weekend (February 10–12, 2023), world-renowned vocalists Sasha Cooke and Clay Hilley join Valčuha and the orchestra for one of Mahler’s most stunningly powerful masterpieces, the “song-symphony” Das von der Erde (The Song of the Earth). The soul-stirring meditation on life and death, featuring poignant texts drawn from ancient Chinese poetry, is fittingly paired with Chinese-French composer Qigang Chen’s Itinerary of an Illusion.

The second weekend (February 17–19, 2023) of Songs of the Earth pairs music from prominent Japanese composers with pieces by Ravel and Debussy. The concert opens with Ravel’s well-known Mother Goose Suite, which musically depicts in each movement a character from the Mother Goose fairytales. Next, Tōru Takemitsu’s haunting concerto for two pianos and orchestra, Quotation of Dream (Say Sea, Take Me)—which fittingly uses music motifs from Debussy’s symphonic poem La Mer—sees the Houston Symphony debut of Dutch piano duo Lucas and Arthur Jussen performing on two pianos.

The famous Japanese woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, by Katsushika Hokusai

Toshio Hosokawa’s breathtaking mediation on nature, Autumn Wind, which features a solo role for the shakuhachi, a Japanese and ancient Chinese vertical flute made of bamboo, follows. To play this unique instrument, the Houston Symphony welcomes Kojiro Umezaki, a Japanese-Dutch performer and composer in his debut with the orchestra. The Songs of the Earth festival concludes with Debussy’s La Mer, one of classical music’s most unforgettable and immersive experiences, whisking the listener through a glowing Impressionistic dreamscape of shimmering beauty and mystical, awe-inspiring power.

Don’t miss out on these two dynamic festivals coming up this spring! To purchase tickets for these incredible performances, visit houstonsymphony.org/tickets.

 


The Sounds of the Season are at the Houston Symphony! Music is a magical medium that makes the holidays special—can you imagine December without those familiar yuletide favorites? These unforgettable festive notes created by your talented orchestra make the season even brighter.

This holiday season, we are celebrating all that you do to help us share the joy of live orchestral music with our city—and we sure have a lot to celebrate! We had a strong start to the 2022–23 Season as we welcomed a new era of artistic leadership with Juraj Valčuha as our Music Director. And with an 88-member full-time orchestra comprised of some of the greatest talent from around the world, we have attracted some of music’s biggest stars to Houston. This season features performances with virtuosos such as Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Yefim Bronfman, Lise de la Salle, Camilla Thomas, and more!

We are also celebrating the expansion of our Education and Community Engagement initiatives. We continued our Student Concert Series, which we anticipate will serve 42,100 students this season, and launched DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony, a new program in partnership with the Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District and the American Festival of the Arts (AFA) that provides exceptional violin training and social development for 3rd and 4th grade students from Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood.

You can share the Sounds of the Season by making a gift to the Houston Symphony this holiday season. When you donate, you help to bring the joy of music to more than 400,000 people through our in-person and virtual artistic programming, robust array of education programs, and our community engagement initiatives. You also support the brilliant musicians that bring our innovative and exciting musical performances to life.

Visit houstonsymphony.org/donate to make your gift online or email giving@houstonsymphony.org to learn about additional ways to give by our December 31 deadline.

For more information about the Sounds of the Season campaign, please contact Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving at tim.richey@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8531.

 


Performers at the Celebrating Black Composers Family Series Concert

Spotlight: PNC Family Series

The Houston Symphony’s PNC Family Concert Series returns for another season of fun and educational orchestra concerts! This series, which takes place on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., is open to children of all ages and includes interactive concert experiences, themed arts and crafts activities, and our popular Instrument Petting Zoo. This season’s series features exciting concerts, including Celebrating Black Composers: Ellington, Hendrix, Price & More; Ho-Ho-Holiday!: Polar Express, Frozen, & More; Blast Off to Space!; and Fairy Tales for Kids!

Starting with the 2021–22 Season, PNC Bank has sponsored the Houston Symphony’s Family Concert Series as part of their unwavering commitment to preparing children, particularly underserved children, for success in school and life. Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five. Research has also proven that exposure to music education and music-making experiences in a child’s early years can lead to markedly accelerated brain development. PNC Bank believes that it’s never too early to invest in a child’s future and supports initiatives that help young minds flourish. Through the Houston Symphony’s PNC Family Concert Series, PNC seeks to provide everyone increased and equitable access to the arts—even the youngest concertgoers.

The Houston Symphony thanks PNC Bank for all they have done and their continued support!

 


 

Houston Symphony European Tour - Essen, Germany

Spotlight: The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

The Houston Symphony is fortunate to have the generous and longstanding support of The Wortham Foundation, Inc. whose grants play a vital role in maintaining the orchestra’s artistic excellence and organizational strength. The Wortham Foundation, Inc. has been a partner of the Houston Symphony for more than 45 years, and their investment in the Symphony has been invaluable to the organization’s artistic growth.

The Houston Symphony has made strides to establish itself as a leader in the performing arts and has accomplished several key achievements in pursuit of this goal.

  • In 2017, the Houston Symphony was awarded an ECHO Klassik award for the live recording of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck under the direction of former Music Director Hans Graf.
  • The orchestra earned its first Grammy nomination and Grammy Award for the same recording at the 60th annual ceremony in the Best Opera Recording category in 2018.
  • Also in 2018, the Houston Symphony embarked on a two-week European tour—our first of the continent in more than 20 years—with superstar violinist Hilary Hahn, performing for enthusiastic audiences in eight of the world’s most renowned concert halls.
  • September 2019 marked our first livestreamed concert when the orchestra performed Stravinsky’s The Firebird, broadcasting the performance to patrons across the country and around the world.
  • In 2020, the Symphony held a two-week Schumann Festival, exploring the works of the romantic composer and featuring pop-up chamber performances and lectures at various venues around the city of Houston.
  • Since 2012, the Symphony has also attracted and retained highly talented musicians, hiring 25 full-time professional orchestra members.

These successes have raised the reputation of not only the Symphony, but of Houston as a cultural arts center—all possible, in part, due to the support of The Wortham Foundation, Inc. The Wortham Foundation, Inc. has also generously provided additional support and leadership funding at critical times following natural disasters and public health crises. This has allowed the Houston Symphony to weather unforeseeable events with the financial stability and strength befitting the oldest and largest performing arts organization in the city of Houston.

We are grateful for our partnership with The Wortham Foundation, Inc. and thank them for their continued support over the years!

 


A Conversation with Legacy Society Member Tammie Johnson

During this season of giving, the Houston Symphony is grateful for the Legacy Society, whose members have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans. Through a bequest in a will, life income gift, or other planned giving arrangements, Legacy Society members invest in the durability and growth of our orchestra.

In this issue, we spotlight Houston Symphony League member and Legacy Society Crescendo Circle member Tammie Johnson.

The Texas-native has a deep appreciation and passion for orchestral music and has devoted a great deal of time to the Houston Symphony. Tammie previously served on the Houston Symphony Board of Trustees where she was on several committees, including the Education and Development committees. She is currently a Houston Symphony League Executive Board Member and has previously served on League committees, including the Auction and Ima Hogg Competition committees. In addition, Tammie—along with her husband, Dr. Charles Anders Johnson—has been a Legacy Society member since 2021.

We spoke to Tammie about her passion for music, her involvement in the Houston Symphony, and why she decided to join the Legacy Society.

Tammie Johnson and her husband, Dr. Charles Anders Johnson, at a Houston Symphony Event

What sparked your passion for music and the arts?

My mother sparked my love for music and the arts when I was a small child because she was a musician, herself—she sang, played the piano, and played the oboe. My mother was also an artist and she loved painting with oils. She would make frequent trips to Puerto Vallarta to paint landscapes.  Because of my mother’s love for the arts, I began playing the piano in middle school and continued playing for three years.

When I had children, I wanted to teach them to love and appreciate music and the arts like my mother had done for me. My daughter, Brittney, began playing the violin at the age of six. She learned to play the violin using the Suzuki learning method, which emphasizes parental involvement, so we practiced together every day for years. She earned the position of second chair violin with the Austin Youth Orchestra when she was eight years old. Brittney continued playing the violin until the age of 13, and she especially loved playing Beethoven pieces. I enjoyed the arts and music so very much that I went to graduate school at Rice University where I studied arts, social science, and music, and graduated with a master’s degree in Liberal Studies.

What initially attracted you to the city of Houston and what made you stay?

I was born in San Antonio, and I lived in Houston when I was a child. I have lived in five states including:  New York, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.  As an adult, I moved back to Texas and lived in Austin for 18 years. I met my husband—my soulmate—in Austin 20 years ago. He is a very busy ophthalmologist based in Houston with the Texas Eye Institute, so I moved back to Houston, and we were married in 2003. Without a doubt, Texas is my favorite state and Houston is my favorite city!

All three of our children graduated from high school in Houston and graduated from Texas colleges. Our whole family loves Texas and Houston! We have three beautiful, precious granddaughters—two live in Houston and one lives in San Antonio. Our whole family enjoys the Houston Symphony, the Astros, and Tex-Mex food!

When was the first time you saw a Houston Symphony performance? Could you describe what it was like?

I saw my first Houston Symphony performance was when I was in middle school, and I was around 12 years old. Since I was taking piano lessons at the time, my parents took me to a concert to help me develop a love and appreciation for the orchestra. I remember being thrilled to see all the different instruments, and I was incredibly impressed with the conductor and musicians!

When did you decide to become a Houston Symphony donor? Why?

I decided to become a Houston Symphony donor when I joined the Houston Symphony League in 2018. I wanted to get involved at the Houston Symphony because of my appreciation for music, the arts, and Houston. The Houston Symphony attracts some of the world’s finest classical musicians and popular artists to perform with our incredible orchestra! The Symphony also brings great joy to me, my children, and grandchildren. Although I am delighted to be a part of the Houston Symphony for these reasons, one of the most important reasons that I chose to be a donor is because the Houston Symphony includes free and low-cost programs, events, and concerts in schools, hospitals, senior centers, and other community venues through their Community-Embedded Musicians initiative. The Houston Symphony also offers Student Concerts, which sparks the imagination of children!

My mother taught me from a young age that when much is given, much is required. Being a Houston Symphony donor and giving my time and resources to this organization brings me great happiness. I have chaired several Houston Symphony events, and I enjoy being a small part of a large mission. The Houston Symphony is one of the very best orchestras in the country, and the Houston Symphony gives back to the Houston community. I am thrilled to be a donor for the Houston Symphony because of my deep roots in Houston, arts appreciation, and my philosophy of giving back to the community. This is why my husband and I support the Houston Symphony as Legacy Society donors.

How did you learn about the Houston Symphony Legacy Society and why did you decide to join?

My husband and I learned about the Legacy Society through Betty and Jesse Tutor, who are the Houston Symphony Legacy Society Chairs. When Betty and Jesse shared information with us about the Houston Symphony Legacy Society, Charles and I were very impressed. We wanted to be a part of its mission to preserve and build up the orchestra. We decided to join the Legacy Society because we love music and the arts, and we appreciate that the Houston Symphony gives back to the community.

We included the Houston Symphony in our estate plans because we understand that a strong endowment is integral to the stability and growth of the orchestra. As an added benefit, Houston Symphony Legacy Society donors can receive a variety of tax and estate benefits. Most importantly, being a Houston Symphony Legacy Society donor helps ensure that the gift of live orchestral music will be available for future generations.

What is your favorite Houston Symphony memory? 

I cannot name just one favorite Houston Symphony memory. I have many favorite Houston Symphony memories. Some of my favorites include: my first Houston Symphony concert as a teenager, being a Houston Symphony Trustee, joining the Houston Symphony League, meeting new Houston Symphony friends, chairing Houston Symphony events—especially Magical Musical Morning with my children and grandchildren—and joining the Houston Symphony Legacy Society. Charles and I love the Houston Symphony and we are thrilled to be a part of the Symphony family now and for many years to come!

For more information on creating a legacy gift and becoming a member of the Legacy Society, contact Christine Ann Stevens, Director of Major Gifts, at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521.

 


 

Very Merry Pops

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This year, the Symphony and Chorus, led by former Principal POPS Conductor, Michael Krajewski, are joined by Broadway star, N’Kenge, to perform holiday classics and festive favorites at Very Merry Pops. There’s still time to buy tickets to this Houston Symphony tradition—don’t miss out!

 


Symphony Notes Archive

Follow the Houston Symphony

2025–26 Subscriptions On Sale Now!

Subscribe now for exclusive savings, priority seating, special event invitations, discounts at top local restaurants, and more!

VIEW PACKAGES