Concerts & Tickets

Classical Season

Tickets to 2013-14 classical concerts are currently only on-sale as part of our season ticket packages. Subscribe now to secure your seats to these performances, featuring spectacular guest artists, conductors and the musicians of your Houston Symphony.

	Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto September 12, 14, 15, 2013 Peter Oundjian, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano Verdi: Overture to La Forza del Destino Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 Debussy: Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun Respighi: Pines of Rome
	Joshua Bell Returns September 20, 21, 22, 2013 Lawrence Foster, conductor Joshua Bell, violin Mussorgsky: Dance of the Persian Maidens from Khovantchina Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves Elgar: Enigma Variations Superstar Joshua Bell takes the stage to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, complete with heartbreaking melodies and fiery virtuosity. Note: Due to high demand, exchanges will not be allowed into this concert.
	Beethoven 7 Plus Rachmaninoff September 26, 28, 29, 2013 Matthew Halls, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Rachmaninoff: The Bells Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 Relish a great masterpiece of music that Beethoven himself called “one of the happiest products of my poor talents.” The Seventh Symphony’s Allegretto movement became famous from the very start, when the public demanded an encore at its first performance.
	Midori Plays Mendelssohn October 18, 19, 20, 2013 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Midori, violin Gubaidulina: Fairytale Poem Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 The unrivaled Midori joins Music Director Designate Andrés Orozco- Estrada and the Houston Symphony to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. When she lifts her violin to her shoulder, experience the unique intimacy of Midori’s playing, singing out Mendelssohn’s heartrending passages with grace and delicacy. Note: Due to high demand, exchanges will not be allowed into this concert.
	Mozart and Schumann October 24, 26, 27, 2013 Hannu Lintu, conductor Jonathan Fischer, oboe Salonen: Helix Mozart: Oboe Concerto Schumann: Symphony No. 2 Our newly appointed Principal Oboe Jonathan Fischer takes the solo limelight in Mozart’s tuneful Oboe Concerto. Also enjoy Robert Schumann’s burst of inspiration in his Symphony No. 2. Its energetic and whimsical Scherzo – with a sweet and melodious second theme – is one of the composer’s most famous works.
	La Triste Historia – Film and Music November 1, 2, 3, 2013 Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor Ben Young Mason, producer Duncan Copp, executive producer Revueltas: Redes (Nets) Moncayo Huapango La Triste Historia - Film with symphonic performance Juan Trigos: Symphony No. 3, Ofrenda a los muertos (Offering the Dead)* *Houston Symphony commission, world premiere Enter the spirit of the Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – with La Triste Historia. Renowned Mexican composer Juan Trigos, director Ben Young Mason and executive producer Duncan Copp have created a perfect marriage of music and film. The ancient tradition – the Day of the Dead – inspired the film’s powerful storyline, framed within the ancient celebration when spirits emerge to once more walk upon the Earth. Follow the dreamlike tale of tragic love of two young people, set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution.
	Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony November 21, 23, 24, 2013 Andrey Boreyko, conductor Colin Currie, percussion Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman Rouse: Der gerettete Alberich (Alberich Saved) – Fantasy for Percussion and Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4. Tchaikovsky poured intense determination into his Fourth Symphony in an attempt to transcend his own life’s crises. Travel through this masterpiece, from meditation through rising excitement to joyous triumph. But first, percussion wizard Colin Currie returns to lend his talent and showmanship to Christopher Rouse’s Der gerettete Alberich.
	Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony November 29, 30, December 1, 2013 Hans Graf, conductor Ingrid Fliter, piano Grieg: In Autumn Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Pastoral Beethoven wrote to a friend, “no one can love the country as much as I do. For surely woods, trees and rocks produce the echo that man desires to hear.” The Pastoral brings you back to nature with its musical depiction of the countryside. Also on the program, the hummable melodies and achingly beautiful Adagio of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, performed by Ingrid Fliter.
	Mozart's Jupiter Symphony January 3, 4, 5, 2014 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Eric Halen, violin Jennifer Owen, violin Haydn: Symphony No. 59, Fire Schnittke: Moz-Art á la Haydn – for two violins and chamber ensemble Mozart: Symphony No. 41, Jupiter Celebrate the New Year with two of classical music’s great superstars. First Mozart, who’s brilliance shines through in his sublime final symphony. The program opens by turning up the heat with the equally exciting Fire Symphony by Haydn. Note: Due to high demand, exchanges will not be allowed into this concert.
	The Planets and The Earth – An HD Odyssey January 9, 11, 12, 2014 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Women of the Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director The Earth – An HD Odyssey Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra The Planets – An HD Odyssey Holst: The Planets In this unprecedented multimedia event, the Houston Symphony will perform a back-to-back lineup of the first two installments in the HD Odyssey series – The Planets and The Earth (formerly Orbit). Note: Due to high demand, exchanges will not be allowed into this concert.
	Adams Conducts Adams January 31, February 1, 2, 2014 John Adams, conductor Gil Shaham, violin Timothy McAllister, saxophone Copland: El Salón Mexico Korngold: Violin Concerto Adams: City Noir America’s foremost composer – John Adams – will take you on a musical adventure through shadowy urban streets and blazing hot nightclubs in his own City Noir. The incomparable Gil Shaham will then join for a performance of Korngold’s Violin Concerto, which features musical quotations from the composer’s own Hollywood film scores of the 1930s.
	Emanuel Ax Plays Bach February 13, 15, 16, 2014 Hannu Lintu, conductor Emanuel Ax, piano Ravel: Noble and Sentimental Waltzes Bach: Piano Concerto in D minor R. Strauss: Burleske for Piano and Orchestra R. Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier Marvel at the genius of J.S. Bach as beloved pianist Emanual Ax illuminates the Piano Concerto in D minor with his keen intelligence and musical poetry. On the second half of this program, hear the most delightful romp in Richard Strauss’ Suite from Der Rosenkavalier.
	Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody February 28, March 1, 2, 2014 James Gaffigan, conductor Daniil Trifonov, piano Picker: Old and Lost Rivers Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition winner Daniil Trifonov recreates the fiery flourishes, intriguing romance and devilish finale of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody. The excitement will continue when conductor James Gaffigan leads the orchestra in the Symphony that earned Shostakovich a 40-minute ovation at its premiere.
	Tchaikovsky's Serenade For Strings March 6, 8, 9, 2014 Frank Huang, leader and violin soloist Haydn: Symphony No. 39 Piazzolla: Cuatro estaciones porteñas Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings “Beautiful themes, graceful waltzes and an exciting finale – Tchaikovsky’s Serenade has everything you could ask for in a piece!” -Concertmaster Frank Huang Concertmaster Frank Huang, playing a double role as both leader and soloist, will balance the delicacy of Tchaikovsky with the fierce solo tango lines of Piazzolla’s Cuatro estaciones porteñas. Its hints of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons only serve to heighten Piazzolla’s sultry melodies.
	Beethoven's Mass in C March 21, 22, 23, 2014 Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Stravinsky: Pulcinella (complete) Beethoven: Mass in C major In this program of extraordinary contrasts and similarities, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducts works of two great composers – Beethoven and Stravinsky.
	Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet April 10, 12, 13, 2014 Hans Graf, conductor Johannes Moser, cello Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Tchaikovsky: Pezzo capriccioso for Cello and Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 Conductor Laureate Hans Graf leads the Symphony in a powerful all- Russian program. First, hear the ripening love and impending tragedy in Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. Then, hear rising-star cellist Johannes Moser perform Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations.
	Bronfman Plays Beethoven 4 April 17, 18, 19, 2014 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Yefim Bronfman, piano Smetana: Overture to The Bartered Bride Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 The Los Angeles Times speaks of GRAMMY® Winner pianist Yefim Bronfman’s “technical prowess and unforced showmanship.” The virtuoso returns to Houston to lend both depth and brilliance to Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Note: Due to high demand, exchanges will not be allowed into this concert.
	Beethoven's Triple Concerto May 1, 3, 4, 2014 Thomas Dausgaard, conductor Frank Huang, violin Brinton Averil Smith, cello Joyce Yang, piano Bax: Tintagel Beethoven: Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano, Triple Concerto Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 The Houston Symphony’s Concertmaster Frank Huang and Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith join pianist Joyce Yang for a moving performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. After intermission, take-in the brooding mystery of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5.