Water, Water Everywhere: Respighi’s Fountains of Rome

On January 9, 11, and 12, the Houston Symphony presents Paganini + “Pines of Rome,” a delightful all-Italian program. In this post, learn how Respighi’s Fountains of Rome gave the composer his “big break” with its imaginative musical depictions of Rome’s iconic fountains. Soon after moving to Rome in 1913, Respighi made the acquaintance of … Continued

The March of Time: Respighi’s Pines of Rome

On January 9, 11, and 12, the Houston Symphony presents Paganini + “Pines of Rome,” a delightful all-Italian program. In this post, learn how the eternal city inspired Respighi’s most celebrated masterpiece, Pines of Rome. Though Respighi completed Pines of Rome during the summer of 1924, in an interview he explained that the piece had been “conceived, … Continued

Metaphysical Sunset: Strauss’s Four Last Songs

On November 29, 30, and December 1, the Houston Symphony celebrates Thanksgiving with A Musical Feast: All-Strauss Thanksgiving, a program featuring four of Richard Strauss’s greatest masterpieces. In this post, discover Strauss’s Four Last Songs, perhaps the most beautiful music ever written. In 1946, Strauss was reading the works by Joseph von Eichendorff (an early 19th century … Continued

Mexicanizing the Orchestra: Chávez’s Sinfonía india

On September 27, 28, and 29, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada presents Gershwin’s Piano Concerto & Porgy and Bess, a concert of 20th-century masterpieces from the Western hemisphere. In this post, discover how composer Carlos Chávez “Mexicanized” the European orchestra in his groundbreaking Sinfonía india. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. The Mexican Revolution of 1910–1920 was one of … Continued

A New Direction: Copland’s El Salón México

On September 27, 28, and 29, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada presents Gershwin’s Piano Concerto & Porgy and Bess, a concert of 20th-century masterpieces from the Western hemisphere. In this post, discover how Aaron Copland’s visit to Mexico led the composer in a whole new direction. Learn more and get tickets. Eager to entice his friend and fellow … Continued

A Sequel to Rhapsody in Blue: Gershwin’s Piano Concerto

On September 27, 28, and 29, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada presents Gershwin’s Piano Concerto & Porgy and Bess, a concert of 20th-century masterpieces from the Western hemisphere. Our guest artist is world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, who performs Gershwin’s jazzy Piano Concerto in F. In this post, discover this uniquely American showpiece for piano and orchestra. … Continued