Classical Mini Pack Brochure 2011-2012

2011ď‚&#x; 2012 Classical Season

3 & 4 Concert Series Built For You

Music inspires

Music inspires YOUR LIFE 3 & 4 CONCERT SERIES SUBSCRIBER REWARDS GREAT PRICE—3 & 4 Concert Series are discounted up to 35% off the price of individual tickets. Packages start at only $99! Seats for these concerts will go fast, so secure them today.

EXCHANGES—Can’t make it to one of your concerts? You can exchange your seat for any other subscription concert. This benefit is available to 3 & 4 Concert Series subscribers for only $5 per exchange.

PRIORITY ACCESS— You can purchase tickets to the highly popular Symphony Specials before they go on sale to the general public.

See page 10 for Classical Specials.

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3 & 4 Concert Series are tailored to fit your lifestyle.

Take a look…there is one for YOU! 4-CONCERT SERIES Musical Adventures Blends fresh and new with masterpieces you never tire of hearing.

Virtuoso Highlights the music of the great guest artists gracing the Jones Hall stage.

Evening Out Great for newcomers to the Houston Symphony and for a fun evening on the town.

The Masters Connects you with the genius of the great composers.

Greatest Hits Focuses on the great pillars of repertoire.

3-CONCERT SERIES RachFest!

3 weekends in a row with all 4 Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos.

Friday ACCESS Friday evening concerts with earlier start times, shorter programs, complimentary appetizers and hosted commentary.

Sugar Land Series Thursday evening concerts at Sugar Land Baptist Church.

Young Professionals Backstage A series where people under 40 can network, socialize and enjoy great music.

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Fidelity Investments Classical Series The following classical concerts are included in one or more 3 or 4 concert series.

See pages 6-9 for details on each package.

Brahms' Violin Concerto September 16, 17, 18, 2011 Hans Graf, conductor James Ehnes, violin Jalbert: World premiere HS commission Brahms: Violin Concerto Dvorák: ˇ Symphony No. 6 You’ll hear some of Brahms’ most tender melodies, brilliant technical fireworks and a sprinkle of Hungarian folk rhythms.

Also experience Jalbert's new work to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe

October 20,piano 22, 23, 2011 André Watts, Gilbert Varga, conductor Daniel Mueller-Schott, cello Haydn: Symphony No. 49, La Passione Haydn: Cello Concerto in D major Ravel: Mother Goose Suite Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 Poetic and ethereal, Daphnis and Chloe evokes a meadow of nymphs on a spring afternoon. Come hear some of Ravel’s most splendorous, colorful music.

Emanuel Ax Plus Tchaikovsky 3

Olga Kern, piano

Richard Strauss’ A Hero’s Life

November 18 , 19, 20, 2011 FRIDAY Hans Graf, conductor ACCESS Emanuel Ax, piano CONCERT Golijov: Last Round Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25* Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3* Houston Symphony favorite Emanuel Ax returns performing Mozart’s majestic Piano Concerto No. 25. *Friday ACCESS only includes these works, together with commentary from a musical host. See page 9.

September 22, 24, 25, 2011 Hans Graf, conductor Olga Kern, piano Rouse: Odna Zhizn – One Special Life Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben – A Hero’s Life This deliciously ironic musical self-portrayal shows Strauss’ acute sense of humor at his compositional height.

Watts Plays Beethoven’s Emperor September 30, October 1, 2, 2011 David Afkham, conductor André Watts, piano Beethoven: Coriolan Overture Schubert: Symphony No. 8, Unfinished Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor Get ready to experience a work as exciting as anything Beethoven ever wrote and welcome legendary pianist André Watts.

Kirill Gerstein, piano

RachFest 1 – Rach 3 January 5, 7, 8, 2012 Edward Gardner, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

RachFest 2 – Rach 1 & 4 January 13, 14, 15, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 Rachmaninoff: Isle of the Dead Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4

RachFest 3 – Rach 2 January 19, 21, 22, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano Rachmaninoff: Vocalise Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3

Beethoven’s Fifth February 23, 25, 26, 2012 John Storgårds, conductor Colin Currie, percussion Brahms: Tragic Overture Rautavaara: Incantations for Percussion and Orchestra Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Experience the drama of Beethoven’s most famous work and meet Colin Currie, a star in the world of solo percussion.

Albina Shagimuratova, soprano

Totally Mozart May 11, 12, 13, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Albina Shagimuratova, soprano Rian Craypo, bassoon Mozart: Symphony No. 31, Paris Mozart: Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio Mozart: Bella mia fiamma – Resta, oh cara Mozart: Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra Mozart: Symphony No. 38, Prague In this delightfully all-Mozart evening, experience a musical ride from Paris to Prague with internationally acclaimed coloratura, soprano Albina Shagimuratova.

Mozart’s A Little Night Music March 22, 24, 25, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Mozart: Serenade No.10 for 13 winds, Gran Partita Stravinsky: Apollon Musagète Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik Delight in Mozart's most graceful work.

Hilary Hahn Plus Enigma March 30, 31, April 1, 2012 FRIDAY Alexander Shelley, conductor ACCESS CONCERT Hilary Hahn, violin Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1* Elgar: Sospiri Elgar: Enigma Variations* “Hahn is one of those rare performers who can dazzle you with the warmth of her personality and knock you dead with the dexterity of her technique...”

– Los Angeles Times

Frank Huang, violin

Carmina Burana May 17, 19, 20, 2012 Hans Graf, conductor Frank Huang, violin Marc Molomot, tenor Hugh Russell, baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Bach: Es ist genug Berg: Violin Concerto Orff: Carmina Burana By popular demand, the Houston Symphony will close its season with Carmina Burana, a giant of the classical repertoire.

CLASSICAL 3 & 4 CONCERT SERIES

Colin Currie, percussion

Hilary Hahn, violin

MUSICAL ADVENTURES

Combines fresh, new repertoire with your favorite selections from classical music.

The new meets the timeless. If you love broadening your horizons while still getting the masterpieces you never tire of hearing, the Musical Adventures series is the one for you.

Brahms' Violin Concerto

Hilary Hahn Plus Enigma

Beethoven’s Fifth

Carmina Burana

with Jalbert's world premier HS commission September 16, 17, 18, 2011 with Rautavaara's Incantations for Percussion and Orchestra February 23, 25, 26, 2012

with Britten's Four Sea Interludes March 30, 31, April 1, 2012 with Berg's Violin Concerto May 17, 19, 20, 2012 $399

$329

$250

$189

$125

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

André Watts, piano

Emanuel Ax, piano

VIRTUOSO

A collection of concerts featuring our most sought after guest artists.

If virtuosic performances are what you yearn to experience, the guest artists and music in the Virtuoso series will give you all you desire and more!

Watts Plays Beethoven’s Emperor

RachFest 3 – Rach 2

September 30, October 1, 2, 2011

January 19, 21, 22, 2012

Emanuel Ax Plus Tchaikovsky 3

Hilary Hahn Plus Enigma

November 18, 19, 20, 2011

March 30, 31, April 1, 2012 $380

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$312

$232

$174

$112

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

THE MASTERS

Your favorite composers, together in one series.

If classical music ignites your mind and connects you with the genius of the great composers, choose The Masters. Experience why these composers are the most celebrated of all time.

Brahms' Violin Concerto

Beethoven’s Fifth

September 16, 17, 18, 2011

February 23, 25, 26, 2012

RachFest 2 – Rach 1 & 4

Totally Mozart

January 13, 14, 15, 2012

May 11, 12, 13, 2012 $380

$312

$232

$174

$112

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

EVENINGS OUT

Share 4 magical evenings with someone you love.

Everyone needs to enjoy evenings out with someone they love. Lose yourself in these exquisite classics that are perfect for a night on the town.

Richard Strauss’ A Hero’s Life

Emanuel Ax Plus Tchaikovsky 3

September 22, 24, 25, 2011

November 18, 19, 20, 2011

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe

Mozart's A Little Night Music

October 20, 22, 23, 2011

March 22, 24, 25, 2012

$380

$312

$232

$174

$112

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

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David Afkham, conductor

John Storgårds, conductor

GREATEST HITS

Immerse yourself in the great works of the classical repertoire.

If you enjoy the most beloved pieces of classical music, come experience these 4 majestic pillars of repertoire with your own Houston Symphony.

Watts Plays Beethoven’s Emperor

Mozart's A Little Night Music

September 30, October 1, 2, 2011

March 22, 24, 25, 2012

Beethoven’s Fifth

Carmina Burana

February 23, 25, 26, 2012

May 17, 19, 20, 2012 $399

$329

$250

$189

$125

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

RACHFEST!

Experience a 3-week festival paying tribute to this most beloved Russian composer.

Rachmaninoff has enchanted music lovers for generations with his incredibly romantic themes.

Come experience a special 3-week festival—RachFest!—paying tribute to this most beloved Russian composer, featuring artist-in-residence Kirill Gerstein performing all 4 Rachmaninoff piano concertos.

RachFest 1 – Rach 3 January 5, 7, 8, 2012

RachFest 2 – Rach 1 & 4 January 13, 14, 15, 2012

RachFest 3 – Rach 2 Kirill Gerstein, piano

January 19, 21, 22, 2012 Kirill Gerstein, piano

$309

$258

$186

$138

$99

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

RACHFEST + 3 Get all 3 weeks of RachFest concerts, plus 3 more concerts of your choice from the Classical or POPS subscription concerts. Visit houstonsymphony.org for the 11–12 POPS Season. No exchanges for this package. $645

$510

$420

$345

$264

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

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FRIDAY ACCESS

Get access to the music in a whole new way.

With this new Houston Symphony concert experience, you’re given greater access to the artists, composers, music and the stories behind the music. ACCESS concerts conveniently begin and end earlier, while connecting you more deeply with the music you enjoy. NPR's Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman will be your musical host for each ACCESS concert, leading you through engaging commentary followed by a complete performance of each work on the program.

The ACCESS Experience: 6:00 pm  Pre-Concert Mix & Mingle with Houston Symphony musicians, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar 7:00 pm  Concert with host, Miles Hoffman 8:30 pm  Post-Concert Q & A with the artists

Emanuel Ax Plus Tchaikovsky 3

Hilary Hahn Plus Enigma

Carmina Burana

March 30, 2012

May 18, 2012 Special performance of Carmina Burana

November 18, 2011

$309

$258

$186

$138

$99

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BACKSTAGE (YPB) A social concert experience for Young Professionals under 40.

YPB is a society of young professionals that mixes behind-the-scenes access and up-in-front support of the Houston Symphony. If you are under 40, enjoy music, want to be more connected to the Houston arts scene, or like meeting new people with similar interests, YPB is for you!

Idina Menzel

The star of Rent, Wicked and Glee debuts with the Houston Symphony.

October 14, 2011

Beethoven’s Fifth

Carmina Burana

February 23, 2012

May 18, 2012 ACCESS format

 3-concert subscription (base package): $108 3 official YPB concerts + after parties  6-concert subscription: $177 Base package plus 3 additional Thursday/Friday night concerts of your choice!

Idina Menzel

 9-concert subscription: $225 Base package plus 6 additional Thursday/Friday night concerts of your choice, PLUS free parking and free exchange privileges!

SUGAR LAND SERIES

Takes you beyond Jones Hall into one of our fastest-growing communities.

The Houston Symphony is hitting the road, and heading to one of the most vibrant communities in the Houston area, Fort Bend County! Enjoy 3 of this season’s most exciting concerts, right in your own neighborhood. All concerts performed at Sugar Land Baptist Church.

Beethoven 9: Ode to Joy

Handel’s Messiah

Hilary Hahn Plus Enigma

September 8, 2011

December 15, 2011

March 29, 2012

See Page 11 for Seating Chart

$237

$186

$123

$75

Symphony Specials Only subscribers have priority access to purchase these special concerts before they go on sale to the general public on August 1, 2011.

Opening Night: Ode to Joy

September 9, 10, 2011, 7:30 pm Hans Graf, conductor Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano Gordon Gietz, tenor Andrew Foster-Williams, bass-baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Hans Graf, Music Director Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is everlasting proof of Beethoven’s creative genius. Be part of the powerful kickoff to the 2011– 2012 Season and feel the contagious energy and joy of this towering classic, performed by Hans Graf, the Houston Symphony, Chorus and world-renowned soloists.

To attend the Opening Night gala, call (713) 337-8526 for your combo ticket to the concert and gala.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

November 26, 2011, 7:30 pm Eric Halen, violin Delve into the meaning and context of this beloved musical work through a stunning visual and musical presentation, Beyond the Score*. The first half of the program will offer a multimedia examination of the Four Seasons—sharing the illuminating stories found "inside" the music— followed by a full performance by the Houston Symphony with Associate Concertmaster Eric Halen. *Beyond the Score® is a production of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Christoph Eschenbach Returns

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor

December 6, 2011, 7:30 pm Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Mahler: Symphony No. 5 Former music director Christoph Eschenbach returns to the Jones Hall stage to lead the Houston Symphony in Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5.

Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight

December 16, 17, 18, 2011 Christian Knapp, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Handel: Messiah "Rejoice Greatly" as this Houston tradition continues! The holidays wouldn’t be the same without Houston’s own performance of Handel’s Messiah with your Houston Symphony, Chorus and guest soloists.

Orbit – An HD Odyssey

Sequel to The Planets – An HD Odyssey February 18, 2012, 7:30 pm Duncan Copp, producer/director Theofanidis: Rainbow Body Copland: Appalachian Spring Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra Join us for the world premiere of the second film in our HD Odyssey series–this time focused on our planet. With striking images taken from NASA missions to Earth's orbit and accompanied by Strauss' epic tone poem "Also sprach Zarathustra," this event is not to be missed.

Choose the Package and the Price for you!  Get the best seats before the general public  Save 15% or more off the price of individual ticket prices!

Classical Seating Chart Jones Hall GRAND TIER

Sugar Land Series Seating Chart Sugar Land Baptist Church MEZZANINE

BOXES

ORCHESTRA BOXES

ORCHESTRA

STAGE

Premium Price Level 2 Price Level 3

Price Level 4 Price Level 5 Not Available

STAGE

Premium Price Level 2 Price Level 3

Price Level 4 Obstructed view

Steps for Subscribing  Log on to houstonsymphony.org any time of day Or call (713) 224-7575 Mon–Sat 10 am–6 pm  Select the 3 or 4 concert series that fits you best.  Select your price level and number of seats.  Secure your tickets to the 2011–2012 Season.

IT’S THAT EASY! Start saving with the Houston Symphony TODAY. Call (713) 224-7575 or go online to add on Symphony Specials and additional single tickets.

Form a group and save! Some things are just too good to keep to yourself.

Groups of 10 or more enjoy special discounts.

Call (713) 238-1435 or email groupsales@houstonsymphony.org.

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Kiju Joh, violin

Music inspires PASSION

On the cover: Eric Larson, double bass, with Musician Sponsor Steven Mach

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