Concerts & Tickets

Classical Season

	Best of Brahms- Weekend 1 September 14, 15, 16, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Garrick Ohlsson, piano Frank Huang, violin Brinton Averil Smith, cello Program A- September 14, 16, 2012 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 Brahms: Symphony No. 1 Program B- September 15, 2012 Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello Brahms: Symphony No. 4
	Best of Brahms- Weekend 2 September 20, 22, 23, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Erin Morely, soprano Joshua Hopkins, baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Frank Huang, violin Brinton Averil Smith, cello Program C - September 20, 22, 2012 Brahms: Tragic Overture Brahms: Nänie Brahms: Requiem Program B- September 23, 2012 Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello Brahms: Symphony No. 4
	Best of Brahms- Weekend 3 September 28, 29, 30, 2012 John Storgårds, conductor Jonathan Biss, piano Program D- September 28, 30, 2012 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 Brahms: Symphony No. 3 Program E- September 29, 2012 Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 Brahms: Symphony No. 2 The New York Times calls him “young and impetuous, but firmly in control” Jonathan Biss - one of the most exciting piano virtuosos on the classical music scene today- returns to the Houston Symphony to perform Brahms’ majestic Piano Concerto No. 2.

	Lang Lang Plays Beethoven 3 Concerts. 3 Different Concertos. October 18, 20, 21, 2012 Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor Lang Lang, piano Lindberg: EXPO Beethoven: Piano Concertos 2, 3 and 5 Schumann: Symphony No. 4 The New York Times’s “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.
	Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique October 26, 2012 - Friday ACCESS concert October 27, 28, 2012 - Standard concert format Andres 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.
	Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony November 1, 3, 4, 2012 Alexander Shelley, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 Enter the world of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, a landscape of contrasts and shocking climaxes, all wrapped in vivid orchestral coloring. Also hear Bartok's remarkably lyrical and romantic violin concerto.
	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 Beethoven's Leonore Overture, from his only opera Fidelio, will draw you into a dramatic tale of sacrifice, heroism and triumph. Then, experience virtuoso Stephen Hough performing Liszt’s dazzling first piano concerto. Hear the flawless dialogue between the piano and the orchestra as the concerto rolls from exciting fireworks to tender melodies.
	Schumann Plus Bruckner’s 6th December 1, 2, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Martin Helmchen, piano Schumann: Piano Concerto Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 Join the Houston Symphony for an ultra romantic evening of music. Immerse yourself in the lyricism of Schumann's Piano Concerto, which he composed for his beloved wife Clara. From the attention grabbing opening chords to a middle movement full of tenderness and on to the exhilarating finale, you will be riveted. You'll also enjoy the visceral and grand Sixth Symphony of Bruckner.
	Dvorák’s New World Symphony January 11, 2013 - Friday ACCESS concert January 12, 13, 2013 - Standard concert format 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, Dvorák’s New World Symphony serves as an embodiment of the American experience. This most popular work is filled with delightful melodies, bold horn calls, and an unforgettable theme that weaves its way throughout. Conveying the composer’s homesickness for his native Bohemia, while embracing America’s native melodies, experience what is quoted to be "a vigorous and beautiful work" that "must take the place among the finest works in this form produced since the death of Beethoven." *Friday ACCESS concert only includes these works.
	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 taken on an epic journey that guides you from folk melodies to the enigmatic awakening of nature, while the familiar “Frere Jacques” melody is transformed into a chilling funeral march. Also, hear Mendelssohn’s youthful and brilliant Octet for Strings.
	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: Selections 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.
	Wozzeck in Concert March 1, 2, 2013 Hans Graf, conductor Roman Trekel, Wozzeck Anne Schwanewilms, Marie Gordon Gietz, Drum Major Marc Molomot, Captain Nathan Berg, Doctor Robert McPherson, Andres Katherine Ciesinski, Margaret Calvin Griffin, Apprentice 1 Samuel Schultz, Apprentice 2 Brenton Ryan, Fool Voice Students from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Adult Chorus, Grant Loehnig, Director Members of the Houston Grand Opera Children's Chorus, Karen Reeves, Director “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.” - Hans Graf 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.
	Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony March 7, 9, 10, 2013 Hans Graf, conductor Leonidas Kavakos, violin Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, Pathétique 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. The nickname “Pathétique” actually means “passionate” 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.
	Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast March 15, 16, 17, 2013 Hannu Lintu, conductor Stephen Powell, baritone 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.
	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 Andres Segovia, who is referenced in the work’s title as the “Nobleman,” Joaquin 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.
	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.
	Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 May 3, 2013 - Friday ACCESS concert May 4, 5, 2013 - Standard concert format 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.
	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 a ”Heroic Symphony composed to celebrate the memory of a great man.”

Dates, artists, programs, and prices are subject to change. All
concerts are at Jones Hall unless otherwise noted.