On May 1, 3 & 4, the Houston Symphony presents Beethoven 7 & Mozart, a program featuring one of Beethoven’s most popular symphonies. In this post, discover how Irish folk music may have inspired this “apotheosis of the dance.” Though Beethoven began sketching ideas for a new symphony almost as soon as his Sixth had … Continued
For many, Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 were their first introduction to classical music. Through a combination of both widely-known and lesser-recognized pieces outside the classical music world with groundbreaking animation, these motion pictures are immortalized as part of Disney’s legacy. Read about the program below before seeing the stunning visuals and live music performed by the Houston Symphony … Continued
We’re kicking off Classical Music Month with 10 movies that feature classical favorites! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUt4DfGnyJQ 1. Amadeus (1984) Mozart, Requiem Winner of 8 Academy Awards, Amadeus interweaves the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with that of Antonio Salieri for a gripping meditation on the nature of genius—in all its mysterious, awe-inspiring, unpredictable glory. The film is … Continued
On April 15 & 16, the Houston Symphony performs Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony No. 3, Eroica with guest conductor Rafael Payare. In this post, discover how personal crisis and political turmoil combined to inspire one of the most influential pieces of music ever composed. Learn more about this history-making masterpiece in our podcast, On the Music. … Continued
The evolution of music as a multicultural medium underwent significant development throughout the 20th century as innovations in transportation and communication led to a more global society. As evidenced by the pieces on this weekend’s program, the blending of music across continents and genres transitioned the discipline into the postmodern world. The second movement of … Continued
Keys are a clue to what the music is all about. Musical Ambassador Carlos Andrés Botero discusses in the above video, as well as in the text below. You can also listen to these pieces as a playlist on Spotify. One of the most influential descriptions of characteristics shared in German-speaking cultures in the late … Continued
If there had been a Billboard Hot 100 Chart in Beethoven’s day, his Seventh Symphony certainly would have been at the top. At its premiere, the work was so well received that it literally stopped the show. More than 200 years later, it remains one of his most popular achievements. As the world celebrates the … Continued
Next month, the Houston Symphony features two remarkable guest artists in some of the repertoire’s most staggeringly difficult works. On January 9, 11, and 12, Augustin Hadelich plays Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 as part of Paganini + “Pines of Rome,” and on January 30 and February 1 and 2, pianist Kirill Gerstein plays two … Continued
On November 15, 16, and 17, world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax joins the Houston Symphony for Ax Plays Beethoven, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In this post, discover the musical twists and turns of this bold and daring masterpiece. Though Beethoven’s C major piano concerto is known today as his first, it was actually the … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, world-renowned conductor Marek Janowski leads Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. In this post, discover how Beethoven composed one of his most up-beat works in the midst of personal crisis. Want to learn more? Check out our podcast on … Continued
On March 15, 16 and 17, classical superstar Joshua Bell returns to the Houston Symphony to play/conduct an all-Beethoven program. In this post, discover Beethoven’s delightful Fourth Symphony, a lighthearted masterpiece full of mischievous musical jokes. Get tickets and more information here. Though the sketchbook for Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony has been lost, surviving evidence suggests that Beethoven … Continued
On March 15, 16 and 17, classical superstar Joshua Bell returns to the Houston Symphony to play/conduct an all-Beethoven program. In this post, discover Beethoven’s one-and-only Violin Concerto, one of his most deeply-felt and satisfying masterpieces. Get tickets and more information here. In 1794, the 14-year-old prodigy Franz Clement was already long-established as one of … Continued
On November 29 and December 1 and 2, the Houston Symphony welcomes world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson back to Jones Hall for Ohlsson Plays Beethoven, a program featuring Beethoven’s dramatic Piano Concerto No. 3. Learn more about this fiery masterpiece and the events that may have inspired it in this post. The earliest sketch for Beethoven’s … Continued
Is it possible for a work of art to become too famous for its own good? Like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Shakespeare’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Beethoven’s Fifth is a work that has been so often reproduced, excerpted and remixed that it has become as easy to ignore a as … Continued
There are few individuals who truly change the course of history. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is one of those individuals. There is music before Beethoven and music after Beethoven; the revolution wrought by his works continues to resonate through music made today. From later classical composers to Hollywood film scores and even rock ’n’ roll, … Continued
The Houston Symphony Chorus recently completed a highly successful series of concerts in the Czech Republic. Chorus Manager Anna Diemer shares her memories and impressions below. When I accepted the offer to become Manager of the Houston Symphony Chorus, I never imagined that in two short years I would be pedal-boating down the Vltava River in … Continued
As part of Subscriber Appreciation Month, we reached out to two longtime subscribers, Ann Friedberg and Ben Newman, to ask them about their relationship with the Houston Symphony. Here’s what Ann had to say. Calvin Dotsey: When did you first become interested in classical music? Was there a special family member, friend or teacher who … Continued
It’s not every day that a young, up-and-coming violinist gets to share the stage with a world-renowned conductor. In fact, most young musicians don’t get that opportunity until they perform with an orchestra. That was not the case for Angel Vela, a 10-year-old boy from Houston whose life was forever changed on November 14, 2014. … Continued
Is it possible for a work of art to become too famous for its own good? Like Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Shakespeare’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Beethoven’s Fifth is a work that has been so often reproduced, excerpted and remixed that it has become as easy to ignore a as … Continued
Near the end of each season, the Houston Symphony Society holds its annual board and trustees meeting. This year, our Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith spoke to the attendees on behalf of the musicians. His speech turned out to be so much more than a board address. We hope you will read it, draw inspiration from … Continued