The Houston Symphony has received a nomination for the 60th Grammy Awards for the recording of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck for Best Opera Recording in the classical category. Hailed by Gramophone as “One of the finest Wozzecks on record, orchestrally speaking,” and by Fanfare as a “Terrifically imposing performance” under the direction of an “experienced and confident conductor,” the two-disc album features former Music Director Hans … Continued
If you haven’t heard, Timothy McAllister is one of the world’s best classical saxophone players. He’s so good, in fact, that he inspired one of America’s greatest living composers, John Adams, to write a Saxophone Concerto just for him. It just might be the greatest Saxophone Concerto ever—but don’t take our word for it. Timothy … Continued
Every November, we like to let our subscribers know how much they mean to us. As part of Subscriber Appreciation Month, we reached out to longtime subscriber George John to ask him about his experiences with the Houston Symphony. Here’s what George had to say. Calvin Dotsey: When did you first become interested in classical music? Was … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes acclaimed pianist Lise de la Salle to Jones Hall for performances of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2. Recently, I got to ask Lise a few questions about what it’s like to play this masterpiece. Calvin Dotsey: How would you describe Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 to someone who has … Continued
This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes back Conductor Laureate Hans Graf for a program of Debussy and Ravel. Recently, I got to ask Maestro Graf a few questions about this shimmering program of musical Impressionism. Calvin Dotsey: Ravel is known as one of the greatest orchestrators of all time. In terms of orchestration, do you … 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
Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet April 10, 12, 13, 2014 Hans Graf, conductor Johannes Moser, cello Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Tchaikovsky: Pezzo capriccioso for Cello and Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 Buy tickets! Conductor Laureate Hans Graf leads the Symphony in a powerful all-Russian program. First, hear … Continued
By: Aurelie Desmarais Senior Director, Artistic Planning Houston Symphony When the calm of a beautiful morning was shattered on September 11, 2001, it seemed that all normal activity would cease. It was impossible to imagine that regular life would, or could, continue. Yet in the aftermath of this history-altering day, the instinct to move forward … Continued
Wozzeck in Concert March 1, 2, 2013 8:oo PM Hans Graf, conductor The following video will be shown prior to the concert each night, starting at 7:15 PM: “Alban Berg’s music is so deep, so new and so perfect. It strikes an inescapable chord of compassion and empathy for our ill-fated hero, Wozzeck.” – Hans … Continued
I’m looking forward to the challenges of performing Wozzeck in early March. The work has a unique place in the repertoire, offering challenges (and rewards!) to every performer. During his tenure as Music Director, Hans Graf has frequently mentioned his desire to present the opera. I’m gratified to see his vision fulfilled. As your friendly … Continued
I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to learn and perform Alban Berg’s Wozzeck. This is one of the truly great works of art of the 20th century and yet, although nearly 100 years old, it is still so bracingly innovative that it continues to be a tremendous challenge for audiences and musicians alike. Therefore … Continued
It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings. In the spirit of newness, we thought we’d take a new approach for an interview with our featured soloists for next weekend’s performances of Copland’s Quiet City, on the same concert program as Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Read on as two of our own musicians … Continued
This month, the Houston Symphony will begin its 2013 series of concerts with an exciting weekend of performances featuring American themed music. “The concert program is really a commentary on Hans Graf’s time here in the United States,” stated Aurelie Desmarais, the Houston Symphony’s senior director of Artistic Planning. “He is an Austrian trained conductor … Continued
November is Subscriber Appreciation Month! It is subscriber appreciation month at the Houston Symphony. All month, we are celebrating the loyalty and contributions of our many dedicated subscribers by recognizing you with inserts in our November magazine at each concert. Please know how much we value the trust you place in us to provide you … Continued
Congratulations- you’ve got tickets to the Houston Symphony! But whether you’re a multi-year subscriber or a first time single ticket buyer, you may still be unaware of all of the things the Houston Symphony has to offer in addition to your tickets, often at little to no additional charge. Check the Symphony Secrets category of … Continued
Congratulations- you’ve got tickets to the Houston Symphony! But whether you’re a multi-year subscriber or a first time single ticket buyer, you may still be unaware of all of the things the Houston Symphony has to offer in addition to your tickets, often at little to no additional charge. Check the Symphony Secrets category of … Continued
Here at the Houston Symphony, we are fortunate to have wonderful musicians who are also wonderful writers, willing to share insights from their personal experiences and performers. Below is the third and final blog post submitted by Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet. It was written shortly after the orchestra finished its second and final performance as … Continued
One of the downsides to touring is the lack of time the musicians have to adjust to different time zones. Anyone who has traveled abroad is familiar with the intense fatigue that is a fact of life during one’s first few days in another part of the world. It was this sleepiness that lead some … Continued
One of the downsides to touring is the lack of time the musicians have to adjust to different time zones. Anyone who has traveled abroad is familiar with the intense fatigue that is a fact of life during one’s first few days in another part of the world. It was this sleepiness that lead some … Continued
Often, when we see a performance by an ensemble from abroad, we think of how far the musicians have traveled to be there, and what that must be like. But sometimes we don’t realize just how big of an undertaking it is to transport an entire orchestra -and their instruments- to another continent. Below, Violinist … Continued