Roman Holiday: Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien

On September 14, the Houston Symphony officially begins its 2019–20 Season with a spectacular Opening Night Concert of Russian classics, including Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Yefim Bronfman. In this post, discover Tchaikovsky’s colorful Capriccio Italien, a perennial audience favorite. Visit houstonsymphony.org for tickets and more information. Italy was one of Tchaikovsky’s favorite travel destinations—once he had … Continued

The Orchestra Dances: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3

On April 4, 6, and 7, the Houston Symphony presents a stirring all-Russian program featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3. In this post, discover the personal, musical and cultural influences that shaped the delightful melodies of this most balletic of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies. Get tickets and more information here. Tchaikovsky’s Third Symphony dates … Continued

Such stuff as dreams are made on: Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest

Above: Detail from John William Waterhouse’s Miranda–The Tempest. On October 26, 27 and 28, acclaimed guest conductor Fabien Gabel leads Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a program of musical storytelling featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Korngold and Bernard Herrmann. Learn more about Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest, a vivid tone poem inspired by Shakespeare’s famous play that will be featured on … Continued

Great Escape: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

On October 26, 27 and 28, acclaimed guest conductor Fabien Gabel leads Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, featuring violinist Karen Gomyo. In this post, learn more about Tchaikovsky’s Romantic masterpiece and the surprising relationship that inspired it. Tchaikovsky wrote his Violin Concerto in March 1878 while staying amid the breathtaking mountains of Clarens, Switzerland on Lake Geneva. The … Continued

Top 6 Musicians’ Picks of the 2018-19 Season

From Itzhak Perlman and Rhapsody in Blue to Home Alone with Live Orchestra and the artistry of Cirque de la Symphonie, our 2018–19 season boasts over 90 spectacular concerts. Which performances are the Houston Symphony musicians especially looking forward to? Read below for a few of their top picks! 1) Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony “I’m looking … Continued

Everybody Dance Now: Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty

“For three hours I lived in a magic dream, intoxicated by fairies and princesses, by splendid palaces, streaming with gold, by the enchantment of fairy-tale…All my being was in cadence with those rhythms, with the radiant and fresh waves of beautiful melodies, already my friends.” Thus wrote the young artist Léon Bakst after attending the … Continued