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
To play with the symphony will be something unique and tremendous. It means half the program will be music that we’ve played with symphonies over the past 30 years, a little bit of Mozart with an Irish jig added. But the program will be a real Chieftains concert. We’ll give a taste of ourselves first … Continued
As I have done many times in the past, I recently visited a high school in southern Texas. Their school’s choir had been chosen to sing for 3,000-4,000 audience members at our most recent Houston Symphony Family concert, Aladdin & the Arabian Nights. The air was filled with energy and anticipation. As I was being … Continued
One of my favorite things about conducting education concerts is the time just before the concert starts. I have made it my practice to stand in the lobby and greet our young concert attendees (usually with a bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket) as they enter the lobby. I do this for a few … Continued
By: Dr. Dominic A. Aquila Vice President, Academic Affairs University of St. Thomas The Houston Symphony’s January 22nd program is a rich offering of French and Russian music from the first quarter of the 20th-century. Among many other qualities, the program’s three pieces–Stravinsky’s Firebird, Ravel’s Pavane, and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition–reflect … Continued