ABOUT THIS CONCERT
Health & Safety Update: To continue to follow social distancing expectations surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Houston Symphony has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of our 2019–20 season, as well as Jones Hall performances scheduled for June. This is an extension of the previously announced cancelation of performances and programs through May 10. Learn more
Equipped with a frivolous potpourri of musical insults, John Malkovich slips into the role of the evil critic who believes the music of Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, and others to be weary and dreary. “Schumann fancies himself a composer,” while Brahms is a “giftless bastard,” and Claude Debussy is simply ugly. Originally conceived for the Julian Rachlin & Friends Festival, Aleksey Igudesman created a sardonic mix of the most evil music critiques of the last centuries written about some of the greatest works of music. Aleksey Igudesman, Hyung-ki Joo and other great musicians beg to differ and fight back. The grand finale is “The Malkovich Torment,” a horrific review about Malkovich himself, which Igudesman has set to music in a uniquely sardonically humorous way.
“The Music Critic” is written and conceived by Aleksey Igudesman.
NOTE: The orchestra will not perform on this program. A quintet of guest musicians will perform.
