"Creating each season is a journey. We find the right moments for a worldrenowned soloist or music festival, we pay tribute to our musical legacy, and we honor our talent. We develop a beautiful mixture of musical colors by inviting our audience to experience something new and celebrating familiar masterpieces together. The unique orchestration of these elements defines how we will experience this incredible art form.
I am looking forward to sharing this exciting new season of music.”Juraj Valčuha Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair
OCTOBER 4, 5* & 6
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor SVATOPLUK SEM baritone HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
B. DESSNER Mari **
MARTINŮ Czech Rhapsody DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World
**Saturday and Sunday performances only.
Juraj Valčuha and the orchestra kick off the season with one of the world’s most beloved masterpieces, Dvořák’s soulstirring New World Symphony. This spotlight on great Czech composers also includes Martinů’s joyful Czech Rhapsody, written in celebration of Czechoslovakia’s 1918 independence.
CONCERT & GALA
October 4, 2024
For Gala information visit houstonsymphony.org/OpeningNight or call 713.337.8523
Concert Sponsor and Lead Gala Underwriter
02
OCTOBER 12 & 13*
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
JAMES EHNES violin
KAPRÁLOVÁ Military Sinfonietta
DVOŘÁK Violin Concerto
JANÁČEK Sinfonietta
Multi-Grammy Award winner James Ehnes is “a violinist in a class of his own” (The Times), and he’ll set toes tapping and spirits soaring with Dvořák’s exuberant Violin Concerto. Discover a new favorite composer as Juraj Valčuha shares remarkable music of Vítězslava Kaprálová, who left a powerful stamp on the music world despite her tragically early death at the age of 25. Blazing with triumphant fanfares and powered by an extra-large brass section, 12 trumpets strong, Janáček’s Sinfonietta closes the program with festive flourish.
03
NOVEMBER 1, 2* & 3
SIR DONALD RUNNICLES conductor
JOAN DERHOVSEPIAN viola
BRINTON AVERIL SMITH cello
WAGNER Tannhäuser: Overture
HUMPERDINCK Selections from Hansel and Gretel
R. STRAUSS Don Quixote
Tag along on the colorful, sometimes comical exploits of Miguel de Cervantes’s “Man of La Mancha” in Strauss’s action-packed Don Quixote, featuring the orchestra’s Joan DerHovsepian and Brinton Averil Smith. Music from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel enchants from “once upon a time” to “happily ever after.”
NOVEMBER 23 & 24*
YOONSHIN SONG violin and leader
JONATHAN FISCHER oboe
COLIN GATWOOD oboe
MARK NUCCIO clarinet
CHRISTIAN SCHUBERT clarinet
RIAN CRAYPO bassoon
ELISE WAGNER bassoon
WILLIAM VERMEULEN horn
IAN MAYTON horn
J.S. BACH Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor
MOZART Serenade No. 12 for Winds in C minor, K.388, Nachtmusik
BRAHMS Serenade No. 1 in D major
Members of the Houston Symphony shine in smaller-ensemble works by three of music’s most enduringly popular composers, Bach, Mozart, and Brahms. Marvel at the dazzling invention of Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1, performed by Concertmaster Yoonshin Song. Then, bask in the glorious melodies and effervescent charm of sparkling serenades by Mozart and Brahms.
NOVEMBER 29, 30* & DECEMBER 1
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
YEFIM BRONFMAN piano
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8, Unfinished
BERG Three Pieces for Orchestra
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor
Massive in scale and visionary in scope, Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto redefined what a piano concerto could be, reaching towering new heights unsurpassed to this day. Powerhouse pianist Yefim Bronfman performs this bold and uplifting masterpiece on Thanksgiving weekend in a program also featuring Schubert’s ever-popular Unfinished Symphony.
DECEMBER 7 & 8*
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
JOHANN STRAUSS JR. Kaiser-Walzer
Bauern-Polka
Egyptischer Marsch
JOSEF STRAUSS Die Libelle
Moulinet-Polka
JOHANN STRAUSS JR. Perpetuum Mobile
JOSEF STRAUSS Feuerfest!
JOHANN STRAUSS JR. Die Fledermaus Overture
Der Zigeunerbaron Overture
Im Krapfenwald'l
Éljen a Magyar!
Persischer Marsch
Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka
Unter Donner und Blitz
JOSEF STRAUSS Jockey-Polka
JOHANN STRAUSS JR. An der schönen blauen Donau
Waltz your way into the holidays with glittering musical delights by Johann and Josef Strauss! From sprightly polkas to the iconic “Blue Danube” Waltz, this concert is guaranteed to have you dancing in your seat.
JANUARY 11 & 12*
CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH conductor
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 4, Romantic
Tap into your inner hero and envision yourself on an epic quest as the orchestra performs Bruckner’s sweeping and expansive Symphony No. 4. Drawing inspiration from the romance and adventure of medieval times, Bruckner 4 captivates from the opening horn call to the heart-pounding, brass-filled finale. A momentous weekend is in store as we celebrate two special milestones: the 200th anniversary of Bruckner’s birthday; and the upcoming 85th birthday of our beloved former Music Director, Christoph Eschenbach, one of the world’s most widely acclaimed Bruckner conductors.
JANUARY 24, 25* & 26
TABITA BERGLUND conductor
YOONSHIN SONG violin
A. THORVALDSDÓTTIR Metacosmos
BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
Filled with irresistible melodies and staggering virtuoso demands, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is one of the best-known and best-loved concertos of all time—and it’s in good hands with the Symphony’s outstanding Concertmaster, Yoonshin Song. Known for beautiful melodies, fiery brass, and a haunting ending that slowly fades into silence, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 channels an entire world of emotion. Exploring the meeting point of beauty and chaos, Metacosmos is a “rumbling, shimmering sound sculpture that completely envelopes and astonishes” (NPR Music).
FEBRUARY 7 & 9*
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
RESPIGHI Belfagor: Overture
CASELLA La donna serpente: Suite No. 2
VERDI Macbeth: Act III Ballet Music
PUCCINI Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo from Act III
Suor Angelica: Intermezzo
Madama Butterfly: Intermezzo
ROSSINI William Tell: Overture
Nothing says “drama” like Italian opera—and while vocal arias may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of composers like Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini, they poured some of their most breathtakingly beautiful melodies into the orchestral music they created for their operas. In this concert, Music Director Juraj Valčuha and the orchestra share a treasure trove of overtures and interludes from Madama Butterfly, Macbeth, and more, capped off by Rossini’s famous William Tell: Overture.
FEBRUARY 15 & 16
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
DOROTTYA LÁNG mezzo-soprano (Judith)
GÁBOR BRETZ baritone (Bluebeard)
U. CHIN Alice in Wonderland: Prelude to the Mad Tea Party
PROKOFIEV The Love for Three Oranges: Symphonic Suite
BRITTEN Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
BARTÓK Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
A dark, mysterious castle. A husband keeping secrets. Seven locked doors, each masking a blood-stained surprise. It may sound like the perfect setup for a horror movie, but it’s actually the starting point for Bartók’s brilliant one-act opera, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Buckle up for an evening of chills, thrills, and astonishing theatrical power as the story unfolds before you, with a stellar cast and stunning scenic projections to immerse you in every moment.
MARCH 7, 8* & 9
ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA conductor HILARY HAHN violin HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
BRAHMS Violin Concerto R. STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra BRAHMS Schicksalslied
“I cannot think of a single performer who begins to compare with Hilary Hahn. This is, quite simply, magnificent violin playing” (Gramophone). One of the greatest violinists of all time meets one of the most treasured masterpieces ever composed when Hilary Hahn performs Brahms’s radiant Violin Concerto with Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Symphony. From its earth-shattering opening (as famously heard in 2001: A Space Odyssey) to its otherworldly ending, Also sprach Zarathustra is a stunning adventure in sound.
MARCH 14, 15* & 16
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
SIMONE LAMSMA violin
K. AL-ZAND Al-Jazari’s Ingenious Clocks
Houston Symphony Commission, World Premiere
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto
PROKOFIEV Suite from Cinderella
Korngold’s Violin Concerto contains everything audiences love about violin concertos, in spades: shimmering beauty, fingerflying fireworks, and melodies that soar to the stratosphere as only a violin can. Journey into a world of boundless innovation and imagination as the Symphony gives the world premiere of Al-Jazari’s Ingenious Clocks, inspired by the fantastical inventions of 12th century Islamic polymath Ismail al-Jazari. Prokofiev’s Cinderella whisks us through a world of fairy tale magic, leading up to the stroke of midnight.
MARCH 21, 22* & 23
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
KIRILL GERSTEIN piano
LIADOV The Enchanted Lake
RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
ZEMLINSKY The Mermaid
Based on a catchy little tune by Paganini, Rachmaninoff’s diabolically difficult Rhapsody blends explosive piano feats with melodies that melt the heart. In the hands of Kirill Gerstein— one of today’s leading Rachmaninoff masters—it promises to be nothing short of spectacular. And, Music Director Juraj Valčuha leads music sprinkled in fairy tale magic: swim through the wonders of Liadov’s Enchanted Lake, then dive under the sea with Zemlinsky’s lavishly romantic The Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “Little Mermaid” story.
APRIL 18 & 19*
DALIA STASEVSKA conductor
LEILA JOSEFOWICZ violin
STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5
Experience the awe-inspiring power and grandeur of Sibelius’s monumental Fifth Symphony, under the baton of dynamic conductor Dalia Stasevska. With soundscapes as breathtaking as the Finnish terrain and a soaring finale inspired by swans in flight, this is music guaranteed to leave you exhilarated. Fearless virtuoso Leila Josefowicz brings “stunning brilliance and high-voltage presence” (LA Times) to Stravinsky’s daring and invigorating Violin Concerto.
MAY 1, 3* & 4
MATTHIAS PINTSCHER conductor CÉDRIC TIBERGHIEN piano
TAKEMITSU Twill by Twilight MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466 BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7
Join us for beloved masterpieces by Beethoven and Mozart! Beethoven’s mega-popular Symphony No. 7 has enthralled audiences for more than 200 years, and in typical Beethoven fashion, it fearlessly embraces the full gamut of emotion, from dark and brooding to free-spirited and fun-loving. Mozart’s genius blazes with white-hot intensity in his stormy and dramatic Piano Concerto No. 20.
Made possible through generous support from Margaret Alkek Williams, Spotlight Series performances feature outstanding conductors and artists, including Music Director Juraj Valčuha, and other renowned guest artists. These concerts include curated musical selections by some of the greatest composers of all time such as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff alongside contemporary works, offering audiences inspiring musical experiences that will stay with them after they leave the concert hall. Thanks to Margaret Alkek Williams, the Houston Symphony can serve our audiences with the highest level of artistry.
MAY 9, 10* & 11
DOMINGO HINDOYAN conductor
PACHO FLORES trumpet
R. SIERRA Alegría
A. MÁRQUEZ Concierto de Otoño (Autumn Concerto)
P. D’RIVERA Concerto Venezolano (Venezuelan Concerto)
DEBUSSY Ibéria from Images
RAVEL Boléro
Sensuous sounds, showstopping brilliance, and irresistible rhythms! Venezuelan trumpet virtuoso Pacho Flores heats up Jones Hall with not one but two crowd-pleasing concertos, both composed specifically for him: first, hear Arturo Márquez’s fiery Concierto de Otoño, followed by Paquito D’Rivera’s jazzy Venezuelan Concerto. Domingo Hindoyan leads the orchestra through a bewitching array of music inspired by Spain, ending with Ravel’s hypnotic and sultry Boléro
17
MAY 23, 24* & 25
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
BRUCE LIU piano
WALKER Icarus in Orbit
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2
Commanding “rock-star status in the classical music world” (The Globe and Mail) following his first-prize win at the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition, Bruce Liu makes his Houston Symphony debut with Chopin’s impassioned and poetic Piano Concerto No. 1—a match made in music heaven. Robert Schumann composed his Second Symphony during one of his darkest hours. Brimming with sparkling tunes, delicate grace, and unwavering hope, it stands as a profound testament to humankind’s strength, grit, and resilience.
MAY 30, 31* & JUNE 1
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor MARINA PRUDENSKAYA mezzo-soprano SOPRANOS AND ALTOS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
MAHLER Symphony No. 3
Dive into new worlds as Music Director Juraj Valčuha leads Mahler’s cosmic, beyond-epic Symphony No. 3. Immense even by Mahler’s standards, and probing secrets of nature, humanity, and the divine, nowhere else is Mahler’s declaration—“a symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything”— more true. This is music that speaks to everyone, and can take you anywhere—as Mahler himself wrote, “you just have to bring along ears and a heart.”
ENCORE AFTER-PARTY TO FOLLOW SATURDAY’S PERFORMANCE!
"Each and every year, I imagine what is possible. This wide-ranging season takes us on a musical journey from classic rock to world music, from Uptown to Motown, and from James Bond to The Bee Gees. Come experience music in a new way, reconnect with cherished memories, and create new ones.
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable season of fun at the Houston Symphony!"
Steven Reineke Principal POPS Conductor
SEPTEMBER 28 & 29*
STEVEN REINEKE conductor
CAPATHIA JENKINS vocalist
RYAN SHAW vocalist
With joyful, dance-friendly beats and lyrics that remain as relatable today as in the '60s, the artists of Motown defined the sound of a generation. Groove to that iconic “Motown Sound” as vocalists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw join the orchestra for songs guaranteed to leave you “Dancing in the Streets,” including hits of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and many more.
02
IT DON’T MEAN A THING: SWINGIN’ UPTOWN CLASSICS WITH BYRON STRIPLING
NOVEMBER 8, 9* & 10
BYRON STRIPLING conductor, trumpet, and vocalist CARMEN BRADFORD vocalist
LEO MANZARI vocalist and tap dancer
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing! Inspired by legendary musical hot spots like The Cotton Club and The Savoy, this electrifying concert will transport you to Harlem’s hippest nightclub, when Duke Ellington’s orchestra was the house band and Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ethel Waters showcased the biggest jazz hits of the day.
DECEMBER 12, 14* & 15
STEVEN REINEKE conductor JESSICA VOSK vocalist HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
Jingle all the way to Jones Hall for Houston’s beloved holiday music tradition, Very Merry Pops! From treasured carols to a special visit from Santa himself, there’s no better way to get in the spirit of the season. “Considered by some to be the finest Elphaba that Wicked ever had” (Theater Pizzazz), Broadway sensation Jessica Vosk brings her energy, humor, and gravity-defying voice to your yuletide favorites.
“Great music, and a wonderful holiday tradition to share with friends and family.”
–Ginger A., concertgoer
JANUARY 3, 4* & 5
What better way to toast 2025 than with the always fun and fabulous Pink Martini?
The world-famous “little orchestra”, featuring original lead singer China Forbes, will get you in the mood to party with a fresh, fizzy cocktail of multi-lingual delights, from music of Brazilian Samba to jaunty Parisian café songs to retro jazz and oldfashioned pop.
Performance does not include the Houston Symphony.
FEBRUARY 28, MARCH 1* & 2
STEVEN REINEKE conductor LENA HALL vocalist
“The name is Bond…James Bond.” Grab your favorite drink (shaken, not stirred) and settle in for an evening of style, sophistication, and intrigue as the Houston Symphony celebrates 60 years of 007. Tony Award-winning Broadway star Lena Hall joins the orchestra for unforgettable Bond themes spanning Connery to Craig, including favorites such as Goldfinger, Skyfall, Diamonds are Forever, and Live and Let Die.
APRIL 4, 5* & 6
STEVEN REINEKE conductor MANDY GONZALEZ vocalist
“Everyone deserves the chance to fly” (Wicked). In this spectacular Broadway show, you’ll hear electrifying showstoppers from Wicked, In the Heights, Hamilton, and more, each with a nod to powerful female characters who never let anyone bring them down. Possessing one of the most dynamic and expressive voices on Broadway, no one’s better suited to these songs than Mandy Gonzalez. As a special treat, Mandy also shares a song written just for her by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
ENCORE AFTER-PARTY TO FOLLOW SATURDAY’S PERFORMANCE!
APRIL 25, 26 & 27
JASON SEBER conductor
DAN DOMENECH vocalist
CHLOE LOWERY vocalist
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
Experience the ultimate fusion of sight and sound in this all-new Cirque show. High-powered vocalists and a huge orchestra turn up the volume on your favorite songs by Aerosmith, Journey, Styx, Heart, The Eagles, Cyndi Lauper, and more, while the world’s greatest aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, and strongmen perform death-defying feats above and around the musicians.
08
MAY 16, 17* & 18
STEVEN REINEKE conductor RAJATON vocal ensemble
Break out your sequins and bellbottoms—we’re celebrating the best of The Bee Gees, and beyond! You should (and will!) be dancing in your seat as world-renowned a cappella sensation Rajaton bring their smooth harmonies to the songs that lit up the disco era. Relive the magic of an unforgettable time in this high-energy concert, led by Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke.
09
JUNE 6, 7* & 8
STEVEN REINEKE conductor
Spanning 50 years and 29 films, John Williams's and Steven Spielberg’s legendary partnership has created unparalleled movie magic. Relive the unforgettable music from Jaws, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Schindler’s List, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and more in this symphonic celebration of Hollywood’s dynamic duo.
Concerts take place in a casual, interactive space where kids can move, dance, and engage with the music.
Enhance your experience with free lobby activities at every concert, including an Instrument Petting Zoo.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9
10 & 11:30 A.M.
BYRON STRIPLING conductor, trumpet, vocalist
Tap your toes, stamp your feet, and sing along as you journey through quintessential American genres like jazz, blues, gospel, and even patriotic tunes! Charismatic singer and trumpeter Byron Stripling will have your little ones singing, dancing, and clapping along in this fun and interactive concert filled with music and stories. Get ready to hear beloved favorites that everyone knows and loves!
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
10 & 11:30 A.M.
GONZALO FARIAS conductor
As the concert begins, the orchestra will discover that their Maestro is suddenly missing. Luckily, famous detective Sherlock Holmes is available—but to crack the case, he’ll need help from the audience! All the musicians are suspects, and no one is to be trusted. While the orchestra performs, you’ll help Sherlock investigate each of the instrument families for clues to the mystery. The game’s afoot in this fun-filled musical whodunit!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
10 & 11:30 A.M.
GONZALO FARIAS conductor
“He’s making a list and checking it twice!” Santa stops by Jones Hall to spread lots of Christmas cheer! Make special memories with the Symphony’s annual holiday concert for kids. One of our most popular events of the year, the concert will include a host of kid-friendly holiday songs, plus free hot chocolate, interactive lobby activities, and a chance to visit with Santa.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
10 & 11:30 A.M.
JASON SEBER conductor
DAN DOMENECH vocalist
CHLOE LOWERY vocalist
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
Watch them “fly through the air with the greatest of ease” in this Cirque de la Symphonie concert designed especially for children! Jones Hall transforms into a magical circus wonderland as jugglers and aerial flyers perform dazzling feats, with live music by the Symphony. Make it a morning of musical fun with hands-on lobby activities, including our Instrument Petting Zoo.
JUNE 15, 2024, 2:30 & 7:30 P.M.
RAJATON vocal ensemble
“See that girl, watch that scene, digging the dancing queen…”
Mamma Mia, here we go again! Dance, jive, and have the time of your life as the Houston Symphony salutes Swedish pop supergroup ABBA. World-renowned a cappella sensation Rajaton joins the orchestra for all your favorite ABBA hits: “Mamma Mia,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” and so much more.
JUNE 22, 2024, 2:30 & 7:30 P.M.
JUNE 23, 2024, 2:30 P.M.
THE HOBBY CENTER
Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of Jurassic Park pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival.
Experience it now, projected in HD on a giant screen, with the full Houston Symphony performing John Williams’s iconic score live to picture!
JUNE 28, 2024, 7:30 P.M.
JUNE 29, 2024, 2:30 P.M.
THE HOBBY CENTER
With countless chart-toppers and unmistakable swagger, The Rolling Stones have defined “cool” since the ‘60s. Backed by the power of a full orchestra and rock band, incredible lead singer Mick Adams delivers a fabulous rendition of Mick Jagger’s vocals (and moves) to recreate The Rolling Stones’ biggest hits through the decades—“Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Angie,” “Wild Horses,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and many more!
OCTOBER 10, 2024, 7:30 P.M.
JONES HALL
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor
DANIIL TRIFONOV piano
KAPRÁLOVÁ Military Sinfonietta
DVOŘÁK Piano Concerto
JANÁČEK Sinfonietta
“He is, no other word, a phenomenon” (The Guardian). Superstar pianist Daniil Trifonov brings his one-of-a-kind artistry to Dvořák’s grand and dramatic Piano Concerto in this special performance with Music Director Juraj Valčuha and the Symphony.
DECEMBER 9, 2024, 7:30 P.M.
JONES HALL
JURAJ VALČUHA conductor YO-YO MA cello
JOHANN STRAUSS JR. Die Fledermaus Overture DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto
It’s hard to think of an artist more universally beloved than Yo-Yo Ma. The 19-time Grammy Award-winner joins the Houston Symphony for one of the greatest cello concertos ever composed in this one-night-only event at Jones Hall.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
NOVEMBER 16, 2024, 2:00 & 7:30 P.M.
NOVEMBER 17, 2024, 2:00 P.M.
JONES HALL
Watch one of Tim Burton’s most celebrated films like never before! The Nightmare Before Christmas will be projected in its entirety on the big screen, accompanied by Danny Elfman’s darkly charming score played live by the orchestra.
DECEMBER 20, 2024, 7:30 P.M.
DECEMBER 21, 2024, 7:30 P.M.
DECEMBER 22, 2024, 2:00 P.M.
JONES HALL
HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS
Jones Hall will be filled with joyous refrains and exultant arias, including the iconic “Hallelujah” Chorus, in this powerful presentation of the greatest story ever told.
"Attending the symphony, especially with choral performances, is a moment of magic."
–Carolyn B., concertgoer
JANUARY 18, 2025, 2:00 & 7:30 P.M.
JANUARY 19, 2025, 2:00 P.M.
JONES HALL
Relive the magic of your favorite wizard in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert. Based on the third installment of the classic saga, the thrilling tale is accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen. From the moment Harry uses the Marauder’s Map to when the Patronus Charm bursts from his wand, you’ll be transported back into the world you love.
FEBRUARY 21, 2025, 7:30 P.M.
FEBRUARY 22, 2025, 2:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.
JONES HALL
Luke Skywalker trains with Master Yoda and learns a shocking truth about Darth Vader in this critically acclaimed second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy. The action unfolds on the giant screen at Jones Hall while you experience every note of John Williams’ masterful score, live.
"There is a genre for everyone, and the Houston Symphony is one of the top orchestras in the world.”
–Julie C., subscriber
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9-CONCERT SERIES A
Opening Weekend: Dvořák’s New World
October 4, 5 & 6
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Bach, Mozart & Brahms
November 23 & 24
Yoonshin Song, leader
A Viennese Waltz Christmas
December 7 & 8
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto & Tchaikovsky
January 24, 25 & 26
Tabita Berglund, conductor
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
February 15 & 16
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
9-CONCERT SERIES B
Dvořák’s Violin Concerto
October 12 & 13
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote
November 1, 2 & 3
Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
Thanksgiving Weekend:
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
November 29, 30 & December 1
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
An Eschenbach & Bruckner Birthday Celebration
January 11 & 12
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Viva Italia! Opera Beyond Words
February 7 & 9
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Korngold’s Violin Concerto & Cinderella
March 14, 15 & 16
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Sibelius 5 & Stravinsky
April 18 & 19
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
Beethoven 7 & Mozart
May 1, 3 & 4
Matthias Pintscher, conductor
Bruce Liu Plays Chopin
May 23, 24 & 25
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms
March 7, 8 & 9
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody & The Little Mermaid
March 21, 22 & 23
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Trumpet Brilliance & Boléro
May 9, 10 & 11
Domingo Hindoyan, conductor
Juraj Valčuha Conducts Mahler 3
May 30, 31 & June 1
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Dvořák’s Violin Concerto
October 12 & 13
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Thanksgiving Weekend:
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
November 29, 30 & December 1
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
An Eschenbach & Bruckner
Birthday Celebration
January 11 & 12
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Opening Weekend: Dvořák’s New World
October 4, 5 & 6
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Bach, Mozart & Brahms
November 23 & 24
Yoonshin Song, leader
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto & Tchaikovsky
January 24, 25 & 26
Tabita Berglund, conductor
Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote
November 1, 2 & 3
Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor
A Viennese Waltz Christmas
December 7 & 8
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Viva Italia! Opera Beyond Words
February 7 & 9
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms
March 7, 8 & 9
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Trumpet Brilliance & Boléro
May 9, 10 & 11
Domingo Hindoyan, conductor
Juraj Valčuha Conducts Mahler 3
May 30, 31 & June 1
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
February 15 & 16
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Korngold’s Violin Concerto & Cinderella
March 14, 15 & 16
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Beethoven 7 & Mozart
May 1, 3 & 4
Matthias Pintscher, conductor
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody & The Little Mermaid
March 21, 22 & 23
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Sibelius 5 & Stravinsky
April 18 & 19
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
Bruce Liu Plays Chopin
May 23, 24 & 25
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Enjoy all 4 concerts for $89!
Clap your hands, say yeah!
The Great American Music Adventure
November 9
Holly Jolly Holiday
December 14
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Maestro
March 1
Cirque for Kids
April 26
9 CONCERTS
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: The Music of Motown
September 28 & 29
Steven Reineke, conductor
It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling
November 8, 9 & 10
Byron Stripling, conductor
Very Merry Pops
December 12, 14 & 15
Steven Reineke, conductor
Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Season
January 3, 4 & 5
007: James Bond Forever
February 28, March 1 & 2
Steven Reineke, conductor
Showstoppers! Celebrating Iconic Women of Broadway
April 4, 5 & 6
Steven Reineke, conductor
Cirque Rocks!
April 25, 26 & 27
Jason Seber, conductor
Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond
May 16, 17 & 18
Steven Reineke, conductor
John Williams & Steven Spielberg: Movie Magic
June 6, 7 & 8
Steven Reineke, conductor
6 CONCERTS
It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling
November 8, 9 & 10
Byron Stripling, conductor
Very Merry Pops
December 12, 14 & 15
Steven Reineke, conductor
Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Season
January 3, 4 & 5
007: James Bond Forever
February 28, March 1 & 2
Steven Reineke, conductor
Cirque Rocks!
April 25, 26 & 27
Jason Seber, conductor
Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond
May 16, 17 & 18
Steven Reineke, conductor
June 2024
September 2024
The Music of ABBA
June 15
Jurassic Park in Concert
June 22 & 23
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: The Music of Motown
September 28 & 29
October 2024
Opening Weekend: Dvořák’s New World
October 4, 5 & 6
Trifonov in Concert
October 10
November 2024
Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote
November 1, 2 & 3
It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling
November 8, 9 & 10
Clap your hands, say yeah!
The Great American Music Adventure
November 9
December 2024
A Viennese Waltz Christmas
December 7 & 8
Yo-Yo Ma in Concert
December 9
Very Merry Pops
December 12, 14 & 15
The Music of The Rolling Stones
June 28 & 29
Dvořák’s Violin Concerto
October 12 & 13
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
November 16 & 17
Bach, Mozart & Brahms
November 23 & 24
Thanksgiving Weekend: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
November 29, 30 & December 1
Holly Jolly Holiday
December 14
Handel's Messiah
December 20, 21 & 22
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Season
January 3, 4 & 5
An Eschenbach & Bruckner Birthday Celebration
January 11 & 12
Viva Italia! Opera Beyond Words
February 7 & 9
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle
February 15 & 16
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Maestro
March 1
Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms
March 7, 8 & 9
April 2025
May 2025
Showstoppers! Celebrating Iconic Women of Broadway
April 4, 5 & 6
Sibelius 5 & Stravinsky
April 18 & 19
Beethoven 7 & Mozart May 1, 3 & 4
Trumpet Brilliance & Boléro May 9, 10 & 11
Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond
May 16, 17 & 18
June 2025
John Williams & Steven Spielberg: Movie Magic
June 6, 7 & 8
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert
January 18 & 19
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto & Tchaikovsky
January 24, 25 & 26
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert
February 21 & 22
007: James Bond Forever February 28, March 1 & 2
Korngold’s Violin Concerto & Cinderella March 14, 15 & 16
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody & The Little Mermaid
March 21, 22 & 23
Cirque Rocks! April 25, 26 & 27
Cirque For Kids April 26
Bruce Liu Plays Chopin May 23, 24 & 25
Juraj Valčuha Conducts Mahler 3 May 30, 31 & June 1
Connect more closely to the music you love and experience your Symphony in new ways while making a true difference to our orchestra and our community.
Please consider making a gift with your subscription order and explore new music opportunities as a Houston Symphony donor.
When you donate, you can unlock benefits tailored to your musical tastes such as:
• Invites to private rehearsals with pre-rehearsal lectures
• Special Meet and Greets with orchestra musicians and guest artists
• Complimentary drinks in the donor lounges
• Valet parking, and so much more!
Gifts of all sizes are needed and valued—and will unlock specific benefits just for you. Whether you subscribe to the Bank of America POPS series, or are a classical aficionado, your support will be rewarded with fun and engaging opportunities curated for our donor family.
Scan here to donate today!
The Houston Symphony salutes our corporate, foundation, and government partners whose generosity allows the orchestra to reach new heights in music, education, and community engagement.
Diamond Guarantor
$1,000,000 or more
The Brown Foundation, Inc. ++
Houston Symphony Endowment ++
Houston Symphony League ++
The Wortham Foundation, Inc. ++
Premier Guarantor
$500,000 or more
The Alkek and Williams Foundation
City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
The C. Howard Piper Foundation
Grand Guarantor
$150,000 or more
The Cullen Foundation ++
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts ++
The Hearst Foundation
The Humphreys Foundation +
MD Anderson Foundation ++
National Endowment for the Arts +
Texas Commission on the Arts ++
ROUP G R AND
Guarantor
$100,000 or more
City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board ++
The Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund
The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation
Underwriter
$50,000 or more
Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation +
Beauchamp Foundation
Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment
John P. McGovern Foundation ++
The Powell Foundation ++
The Elkins Foundation
Sponsor
$25,000 or more
William S. & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation
The Vivian L. Smith Foundation ++
The William Stamps Farish Fund
The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation
Our beloved Jones Hall has never looked better. While the iconic exterior remains an unchanged landmark of the downtown Houston cityscape, over the last several summers, we’ve already seen wonderful changes to Jones Hall’s interior, including:
• The creation of vertical aisles in the auditorium for easier access to seating.
• All new seating in the auditorium.
• Shiny, new bathrooms at the Courtyard level along with substantially more bathroom accommodations, and easy, direct access to them through the creation of a new lobby stairwell.
• More wheelchair seats, and ADA improvements to the lobby and auditorium.
• The reconfiguration and reinforcement of the auditorium’s side walls to substantially improve acoustics.
• A brand new orchestral shell onstage for state-of-the-art acoustics.
But wait! There are more vital changes still to come, including:
• A forestage acoustic reflector at the top of the proscenium for even greater acoustic performance in the hall benefitting both musicians and audience.
• Reconfiguring the Texas Street side of the lobby so that the auditorium is fully wheelchair accessible directly from that entrance.
• Renovations to improve backstage accommodations for performers, including better sound isolation from the loading dock.
Once all of the renovations are completed, the rejuvenated Jones Hall will not only gleam on its surface, but it will feel more comfortable and inviting than ever, and deliver the thrilling sounds of our Houston Symphony directly to us in an exciting, visceral way that we’ve up until now only dreamed of. Visit
