On May 25 & 26 the Houston Symphony presents John Adams’ El Niño, an opera-oratorio written to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium in 2000. In this post, discover the diverse texts—ranging from Christian apocrypha to 20th century Mexican feminist poetry—that retell the Christmas story in this modern masterpiece. In 1999, the Théâtre du … Continued
On January 17, 18, and 19, the Houston Symphony presents Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique,” a program of soulful works by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and contemporary Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen. In this post, discover one of Tarkiainen’s latest works, Midnight Sun Variations, a luminous work inspired by nature and motherhood. Outi Tarkiainen was born in the small town of Rovaniemi, … Continued
On November 22, 23, and 24, the Houston Symphony presents Trifonov Plays Tchaikovsky, a program featuring world-renowned virtuoso Daniil Trifonov in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 together with Ravel’s vibrant orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Opening the program is Celephaïs from The Cities of Lovecraft, a recent work by French composer Guillaume Connesson. … Continued
On December 5, 7, and 8, the Houston Symphony presents the world premiere of Ad Astra, a new symphony by Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López Bellido (the program also features the internationally renowned virtuoso Gil Shaham in Brahms’ classic Violin Concerto). Get a preview of Jimmy’s exciting and imaginative new work below. Perhaps no sound is more … Continued
How do composers write their music? Composing can sometimes seem a mysterious business, and it is not every day one has the opportunity to glimpse into the mind of such a creative artist. In advance of the world premiere of Aurora, his new violin concerto, Houston Symphony Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López Bellido recounts the story of … Continued
On February 28 and March 2 and 3, the Houston Symphony welcomes violinist Jennifer Koh back to Jones Hall to play Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto. In this post, discover what makes this work a contemporary masterpiece. Get tickets and more information about the concerts here. (Header photo: Minna Hatinen / Finnish National Opera and Ballet) Carrying on in … Continued