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Lang Lang Plays Beethoven
3 Concerts. 3 Different Concertos.
October 18, 20, 21, 2012
Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor
Lang Lang, piano
Lindberg: Feria (Festival)
Beethoven: Piano Concertos 2, 3 and 5
Schumann: Symphony No. 4
The New York Times’ ”hottest artist on the classical music planet” is heading back to Houston. Hear Lang Lang perform three of the most beloved Beethoven piano concertos in one weekend as he plays a different concerto each performance. Experience Beethoven’s joyful 2nd, the dramatic 3rd and the epic Emperor. |
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Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique
October 26, 2012 –
October 27, 28, 2012 –
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
William VerMeulen, horn
Berlioz: Roman Carnival
R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
*Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
One of the pillars of the symphonic repertoire, Symphonie fantastique brings you to a new world of sound, where images morph into music. Follow a young musician, afflicted by unrequited love and flooded with romantic passion. As he drifts from one fantastic dreamscape to another, obsessed by the image of his beloved, you’ll follow him from the tumult of a grand ball, to the peaceful contemplation of nature, and finally to his plunge into delirium in a sinister witch’s sabbath.
*Friday ACCESS concert only includes this work.
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Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony
November 1, 3, 4, 2012
Juanjo Mena, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
The nickname “Pathétique” actually means “passionate” rather than “pitiful,” and Tchaikovsky’s final symphony is packed with passion. You’ll feel the power of fate in both life and death as you get caught up in the music’s sweep of emotion, complete with gorgeous violin melodies and blazing brass.
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Beethoven & Liszt
November 16, 17, 18, 2012
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano
Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4, The Inextinguishable
Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s magnificent Symphony No. 4 is full of fiery rhythms and grand sweeping melodies. The famous battle of two timpanists thunders to a triumphant conclusion – the inextinguishable force of life is victorious!
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Schumann Plus Bruckner’s 6th
December 1, 2, 2012
Hans Graf, conductor
Martin Helmchen, piano
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Bruckner: Symphony No. 6
Hans Graf is excited to introduce Houston audiences to this rising star, Martin Helmchen. The Berkshire Eagle raved, “Helmchen lit the Schumann Piano Concerto with an inner glow” referring to the young German virtuoso’s performance with the Boston Symphony.
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Dvorák’s New World Symphony
January 11, 2013 –
January 12, 13, 2013 –
Hans Graf, conductor
Adam Dinitz, English horn
Mark Hughes, trumpet
*Copland: Quiet City for English horn,
trumpet and strings
Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2, Le Double
*Dvorák: Symphony No. 9, From the New World
Composed and premiered during his visit to the United States as an embodiment of the American experience, the New World Symphony is Dvorák’s most popular work. It was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered 120 years ago at Carnegie Hall to the public’s absolute delight. *Friday ACCESS concert only includes this work.
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Mahler & Mendelssohn
January 31, February 2, 3, 2013
Christoph Koenig, conductor
Mendelssohn: Octet for Strings –
for Full String Orchestra
Mahler: Symphony No. 1
Mahler’s 1st Symphony is filled with some of the young composer’s most brilliant and contrasting musical ideas. You’ll be delighted as you hear folk melodies, a chilling funeral march and even a minor-key version of the familiar “Frère Jacques” melody.
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Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet
February 14, 16, 17, 2013
Gilbert Varga, conductor
Vilde Frang, violin
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5
Prokofiev: Suite No. 2 from Romeo and Juliet
Relive the stories of William Shakespeare’s most cherished characters. Romeo and Juliet’s romantic encounters will populate your imagination as you hear Prokofiev’s riveting score based on the story of the ill-fated lovers. Plus, hear Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, written as a present to his wife Cosima and performed the morning of her birthday by a small ensemble as his beloved awoke from her sleep.
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Wozzeck in Concert
March 1, 2, 2013
Hans Graf, conductor
Anne Schwanewilms, soprano
Roman Trekel, baritone
Berg: Wozzeck
“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.”
Rooted in real life, Wozzeck’s tale is one of social criticism, lust, murder and morality. You’ll feel compassion for poor Wozzeck as he falls victim to cruelty and descends into insanity.
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Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Plus Kavakos
March 7, 9, 10, 2013
Hans Graf, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Hans Graf and Leonidas Kavakos are great friends whose partnership has produced great music-making on the Jones Hall stage and around the world. They’ll join together once more to perform Shostakovich’s 1st Violin Concerto. Plus, hear one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest masterpieces – his Symphony No. 5. |
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Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast
March 15, 16, 17, 2013
Hannu Lintu, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of
Thomas Tallis
Haydn: Symphony No. 98
Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
Belshazzar’s Feast vividly portrays the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. With driving and barbaric splendor, often compared to Carmina Burana, it culminates in the death of Belshazzar which frees the Jews from exile. |
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Spanish Masters – Rodrigo & Falla
April 5, 6, 7, 2013
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Pablo Sainz-Villegas, guitar
Haydn: Symphony No. 20
Ginastera: Variaciones concertantes
Rodrigo: Fantasia for a Nobleman – for Guitar
and Orchestra
Falla: Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Composed at the request of the legendary Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia, who is referenced in the work’s title as the “Nobleman,” Joaquín Rodrigo’s Fantasia para un gentilhombre will transport you to 17th Century Spain, where the composer found his inspiration. Experience the rich sounds of rising star and Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo Sainz-Villegas. |
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Debussy’s La Mer
April 11, 13, 14, 2013
Hans Graf, conductor
Benjamin Schmid, violin
Ariane Haering, piano
Mendelssohn: Capriccio brillant
Paganini/arr. Kreisler: Violin Concerto
Mendelssohn: Concerto for Violin, Piano
and String Orchestra
Debussy: La Mer
As in Impressionist paintings, Debussy uses colorful musical brush strokes to conjure images of his travels to the seaside at Cannes and the Mediterranean. The shimmering movement of the sea left him with deep inspiration, illustrated in this orchestral work of beauty. |
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Mozart’s Symphony No. 40
May 3, 2013 –
May 4, 5, 2013 –
Hans Graf, conductor
Eugene Ugorski, violin
Mozart: Symphony No. 19
*Stravinsky: Violin Concerto
Adams: The Chairman Dances
*Mozart: Symphony No. 40
From wunderkind to one of the great masters of all time, Mozart’s talent grew and blossomed during his short life. Hear the poise of his Symphony No. 19, composed when he was only 16, and then experience the maturity and genius of one of his last great symphonies.
*Friday ACCESS concert only includes this work.
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Chopin & Beethoven
May 9, 11, 12, 2013
Hans Graf, conductor
Janina Fialkowska, piano
Weber: Overture to Euryanthe
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, Eroica
Hear the glorious, soaring phrases of Chopin’s masterpiece, and then experience Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony, initially inspired by his admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, he became disillusioned by Napoleon’s ascent to power and literally tore through the dedication, writing instead, “Heroic Symphony composed to celebrate the memory of a great man.” |
