Wagner + Beethoven 2

ABOUT THIS CONCERT

Beyond epic in scale, dazzlingly mythological in scope, Wagner’s operas redefined the genre and changed the course of music forever. Feel the thrill of love and the fire of lust when preeminent conductor Marek Janowski leads the rich, resounding melodies of Tannhäuser and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Filled with boundless vigor and bracing wit, Beethoven’s Second finds its composer at the outset of a new trail—one that he himself would blaze.

 

Pre-Concert Activities: Chamber Music Prelude

Your ticket includes a special chamber music performance by Houston Symphony musicians on the Jones Hall stage starting 45 minutes before the concert. Hear Spohr’s Duo for Violin and Viola performed by Tong Yan, violin, and Ferenc Illenyi, viola. The first people to arrive will be given the opportunity to sit onstage for the prelude performance. Those interested should line up outside the Jones Hall main entrance on the Louisiana Patio near the first door on the right before doors open, 1 hour before the concert begins. All others may watch the chamber music performance from the front orchestra seating of Jones Hall. The chamber music replaces the regularly scheduled Prelude discussion.

SELECT CONCERT DATE:

View Seating Chart
There are no upcoming dates for this event.

PROGRAM

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2
WAGNER Tannhäuser, Overture and Venusberg Music
WAGNER Two Excerpts from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

ARTISTS

×

Marek Janowski is recognized throughout the world for his interpretation of Wagner, Strauss, Bruckner, Brahms, Hindemith, and the Second Viennese School and has an extensive and distinguished discography in the repertoire. This season, he becomes chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic. From 2002–2016, he was artistic director of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, with whom he gave a critically acclaimed Wagner opera cycle in Berlin’s Philharmonie in 2012 and 2013. The complete cycle was recorded live on Pentatone and released in 2016.

In the 2018–19 season, he conducted the Dresden Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Oslo Philharmonic, NHK Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony. In both 2016 and 2017, he conducted Wagner’s Ring Cycle at Bayreuth.

Marek has been a regular visitor to North America since his 1983 U.S. debut with the San Francisco Opera. In the three decades since, he has forged lasting relationships with many top orchestras, including those of Boston, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and San Francisco. He has also conducted The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Born in Warsaw and educated in Germany, Marek’s artistic path led him from assistant positions in Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg to his appointment as general music director in Freiburg im Breisgau (1973–75) and Dortmund (1975–79). While in Dortmund, his reputation rapidly grew, and he began conducting in many of the leading opera houses in Europe and North America, where he continued to be a regular guest, including at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Bavarian State Opera Munich, Hamburg State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Paris National Opera, among others.

In the 1990s, Marek Janowski stepped back from opera and began to concentrate on symphonic repertoire. He now enjoys an outstanding reputation among the premier orchestras of Europe and North America and is acknowledged for his ability to create orchestras of international standing. His extensive and acclaimed discography includes complete symphonic cycles and operas, many of which have been awarded international prizes. His recording of Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle with the Staatskapelle Dresden (1980–83) remains one of the most esteemed offerings in a crowded field.