Mahler & Mendelssohn
Debussy’s La Mer
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 hear folk melodies, a chilling funeral march and even a minorkey version of the familiar “Frère Jacques” melody.
April 11, 13, 14, 2013 Hans Graf, conductor Benjamin Schmid, violin Ariane Haering, piano Mendelssohn: Capriccio brillant Mendelssohn: Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra Paganini/arr. Kreisler: Violin Concerto 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.
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 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 for his wife Cosima and performed the morning of her birthday by a small ensemble as she awoke from her sleep.
Wozzeck in Concert March 1, 2, 2013 Hans Graf, conductor Anne Schwanewilms, soprano Roman Trekel, baritone Berg: 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.
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 Graf and 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.
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.
Spanish Masters – Rodrigo & Falla
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 these works.
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.”
A Graf Farewell May 17, 18, 2013, 7:30 pm Erin Wall, soprano Bernarda Fink, mezzo-soprano Houston Symphony Chorus Mahler: Symphony No. 2, Resurrection “Of all of Mahler’s symphonies, Resurrection has the most uplifting ending. There is a spiritual element in it that is hard to beat. Mahler’s idea to have the chorus emerge from the depths is spellbinding, like souls waiting to arise from the abyss to the heavens, following an irresistible crescendo to their apotheosis – a glorious and positive way to finish.” – Hans Graf
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. Experience the rich sounds of Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo Sainz-Villegas.
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