InTune — The Houston Symphony Magazine — January 2019 by Houston Symphony

THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2019

GERSHWIN’S RHAPSODY IN BLUE 20

TOTALLY ’80S 24

January 4, 5 & 6

January 11, 12 & 13

BOYZ II MEN 28 WITH THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY

RAVEL’S LA VALSE 30

January 18

January 24, 26 & 27

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InTUNE | J A N U A R Y

2019

Programs

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue January 4, 5 & 6 ��20 Totally ’80s January 11, 12 & 13 ��24 Boyz II Men with the Houston Symphony January 18 ��28 Ravel’s La valse January 24, 26 & 27 ��30

Features

Letter to Patrons ��2 Welcome Gwen Watkins ��11 Concert Preview: Ella Fitzgerald �� 16 Resilient Sounds �� 18 Backstage Pass with Maki Kubota �� 44

Events

2019 Houston Symphony Wine Dinner �� 15

Your Houston Symphony

Your Symphony Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Upcoming Broadcasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Orchestra Roster ��8 Society Board of Trustees ��9 Staff Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Our Supporters

Vision 2025 Implementation Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New Century Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Leadership Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Giving Societies and Donor Benefits ��34 Houston Symphony Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Young Associates Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Chorus Endowment Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Corporate, Foundation and Government Partners ��38 Capital Investments ��39 In-Kind Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Houston Symphony Endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Legacy Society & In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Education and Community Engagement Donors . . . . . . . . 42 Musician Sponsorships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López addresses students at Rice University.

JANUARY 2019

2018 was a fantastic year for the Houston Symphony: the orchestra won its first Grammy Award®, completed its first major European Tour in two decades and released two critically acclaimed recordings. We also played for hundreds of thousands of Houstonians here at Jones Hall and around the community, giving one incredible concert after another. I know 2019 will continue the Symphony’s upward trajectory with even more artistic successes and great music.

InTune is produced by the Houston Symphony’s Marketing and Communications department. Linsey Whitehead . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director, Creative Services Calvin Dotsey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publications Editor Melanie O’Neill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Publications Designer Elaine Reeder Mayo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial Consultant Shweiki Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printing Ventures Marketing Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising The activities and projects of the Houston Symphony are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Houston Symphony currently records under its own label, Houston Symphony Media Productions, and for Pentatone and Naxos. Houston Symphony recordings also are available on the Telarc, RCA Red Seal, Virgin Classics and Koch International Classics labels. CAMERAS, RECORDERS, CELL PHONES & PAGERS Cameras and recorders are not permitted in the hall. Patrons may not use any device to record or photograph performances. Please silence cell phones, pagers and alarm watches and refrain from texting during performances. All content © 2018-19. Contents cannot be reproduced in any manner, whole or in part, without written permission from the Houston Symphony or InTune Magazine.

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InTUNE

In THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY

We begin the New Year with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, a concert that explores the connections between jazz and classical music with renowned pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane. We then celebrate a decade of great music with Totally ’80s—for someone my age, the decade of great music—featuring classics by Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, George Michael, Billy Joel and more. The phenomenal R&B group Boyz II Men will perform its greatest hits with the orchestra for its highly anticipated Houston Symphony debut, and the month ends with Andrés’ eagerly awaited return to conduct Ravel’s glittering orchestral showstopper, La valse. Next month, we look forward to the magic of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the latest chapter in our series of film with live orchestra presentations, and The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook, a special program on Valentine’s Day weekend. You can learn more about the remarkable story of Ella and her music on page 16. Until then, I know your 2019 is off to a musical start. Thank you for being here with us.

MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

VERY MERRY

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A MOZART THANKSGIVING

November 3, 5, 6

November 11, 12, 13

November 25, 26,

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LETTER TO PATRONS

John Mangum Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

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HOUSTON symphony JONES HALL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 615 Louisiana St. Suite 102 Houston, TX 77002

NEW HOURS PATRON SERVICES

713.224.7575 Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm patronservices@houstonsymphony.org

GROUP SALES

713.238.1435 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm groupsales@houstonsymphony.org

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 713.238.1420 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

YOUR SYMPHONY EXPERIENCE JONES HALL

ETIQUETTE

Sixty-six foot ceilings, scarlet carpet, teakwood and travertine marble greet visitors to Jones Hall, the home of the Houston Symphony. Opened in 1966, Jones Hall has a uniquely designed movable ceiling that enables the auditorium to shrink or expand from approximately 2,150 to 2,900 seats.

For classical concerts, if a work has several movements it is traditional to hold applause until the end of the last movement. If you are unsure when to applaud, check the program or wait for the conductor to face the audience. If you feel truly inspired, however, do not be afraid to applaud! Brief applause between movements after an exceptional performance is always appreciated.

PRELUDE PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATIONS Led by Musical Ambassador Carlos Andrés Botero, Prelude Pre-Concert Conversations are held 45 minutes in advance of each Classical Series performance and provide contextual information about the composers and their works.

DEVICES Please silence all electronic devices before the performance. Photography and audio/video recordings of these peformances are strictly prohibited.

FOOD & DRINK POLICY Encore Café offers a selection of food and drink options before performances and during intermission; we also have several bars located throughout the concert hall where you may purchase beer, wine and mixed drinks. However, food or drinks are prohibited in the auditorium for Classical Series performances. Drinks (in plastic containers) are allowed for POPS concerts and some Symphony Specials.

LOST AND FOUND For lost and found inquiries please contact our Front of House Manager, Sarah Rendón, during the performance. She also can be reached at sarah.rendon@houstonsymphony.org. You also may contact Houston First after the performances at 832.487.7050.

CONNECT WITH US |

CHILDREN Children ages 6 and up are welcome to all Classical, POPS and Symphony Special concerts. Ages 6 and under are welcome at Family Series performances. Children must have a ticket for all ticketed events.

LATE SEATING Each performance typically allows for late seating, which is scheduled in intervals and determined by the conductor. Our ushers and Front of House Manager will instruct you on when late seating is allowed.

TICKETS Subscribers to six or more Classical or POPS concerts, as well as BBVA Compass Family Subscribers, may exchange their tickets at no cost. Smaller package subscribers and Single Ticket purchasers may exchange their tickets for a nominal fee. Tickets to Symphony Specials are ineligible for exchange. If you are unable to make a performance, your ticket may be donated prior to the concert for a tax-donation receipt. Donations and exchanges may be made in person , over the phone or online.

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#HOUSTONSYMPHONY #HOUSYMCONNECTS (Education & Community Engagement)

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OROZCO-ESTRADA MUSIC DIRECTOR

ROY AND LILLIE CULLEN CHAIR Houston Symphony Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada began his tenure in the 2014–15 season. He immediately established a dynamic presence on the podium and a deep bond with the musicians of the orchestra. He carefully curates his programs to feature engaging combinations of classical masterworks paired with the music of today, significant artistic collaborations with composers and guest artists, and innovative use of multimedia and visual effects, all in order to make meaningful connections with the audience. In the 2017–18 season, Andrés continued to engage with audiences both with casual commentary from the stage and discussions with guests in “Behind the Scenes with Andrés” videos. After the commercial release of the critically acclaimed Dvořák series featuring the composer’s last four symphonies, he and the orchestra recently released a Haydn—The Creation recording in collaboration with the Houston Symphony Chorus and a Music of the Americas disc featuring Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Revueltas’ Sensemayá, Piazzolla’s Tangazo and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Born in Medellín, Colombia, Andrés began his musical studies on the violin and started conducting at age 15. At 19, he entered the renowned Vienna Music Academy, where he studied with Uroš Lajovic (pupil of the legendary Hans Swarowsky), and completed his degree with distinction conducting the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Musikverein. Andrés burst onto the international scene with two substitutions with the Vienna Philharmonic: the first, his debut in 2010, standing in for Esa-Pekka Salonen, and then in 2012, substituting for Riccardo Muti at the Musikverein. Andrés now regularly appears with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome, the Orchestre National de France, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. His engagements for the 2017-18 season featured debuts at the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich and the Staatskapelle Dresden with two concerts at the Salzburg Easter Festival. As a guest, he performed once again with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and with the Vienna Philharmonic, which he led on a tour to Paris and Budapest. In June 2018, he toured Asia for two weeks with his Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.

6 | Houston Symphony

In addition to his post in Houston, Andrés is chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He was recently named chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony as of the 2021-2022 season.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 BROADCAST SCHEDULE ALL BROADCASTS AIR AT 8PM January 6 | News 88.7 January 9 | Classical

January 13 | News 88.7 January 16 | Classical

January 20 | News 88.7 January 23 | Classical

January 27 | News 88.7 January 30 | Classical

RECORDED: Sep 14-16, 2017

RECORDED: Sep 22-23, 2017

RECORDED: Sep 28 -Oct 1, 2017

RECORDED: Oct 20-22, 2017

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Mojca Erdmann, soprano Nicholas Brownlee, baritone Dvořák: Te Deum Mahler: Symphony No. 4

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Leticia Moreno, violin Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol Piazzolla: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Vassily Sinaisky, conductor Borodin/Glazunov: Overture to Prince Igor Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1

Matthew Halls, conductor Johannes Moser, cello Schubert: Symphony No. 5 Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 1 Mozart: Symphony No. 41 Jupiter

*Recorded at Stude Concert Hall, Rice University

February 3 | News 88.7 February 6 | Classical

February 10 | News 88.7 February 13 | Classical

February 17 | News 88.7 February 20 | Classical

February 24 | News 88.7 February 27 | Classical

RECORDED: Oct 26-29, 2017

RECORDED: Nov 17-19, 2017

RECORDED: Nov 24-26, 2017

RECORDED: Jan 11-13, 2018

Ludovic Morlot, conductor Jonathan Biss, piano Messiaen: The Forgotten Offerings Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Denis Kozhukhin, piano Ives: Symphony No. 3 The Camp Meeting Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Lutoslawski: Paganini Variations for Piano and Orchestra Blacher: Orchestral Variations on a Theme by Paganini

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor James Ehnes, violin Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1 Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1

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InTUNE — January 2019 | 7

ROSTER

ORCHESTRA Andrés Orozco-Estrada Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair FIRST VIOLIN Position Vacant, Concertmaster Max Levine Chair Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Ellen E. Kelley Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Fondren Foundation Chair Marina Brubaker Tong Yan MiHee Chung Sophia Silivos Rodica Gonzalez Ferenc Illenyi** Si-Yang Lao Kurt Johnson Christopher Neal Sergei Galperin Boson Mo* Jenna Barghouti*

DOUBLE BASS Robin Kesselman, Principal Mark Shapiro, Acting Associate Principal^ Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal^^ Eric Larson Andrew Pedersen Burke Shaw Donald Howey Michael McMurray Michael Marks* FLUTE Aralee Dorough, Principal General Maurice Hirsch Chair Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Judy Dines Kathryn Ladner PICCOLO Kathryn Ladner

SECOND VIOLIN MuChen Hsieh, Principal Hitai Lee Mihaela Frusina Annie Kuan-Yu Chen Jing Zheng Martha Chapman Tianjie Lu Anastasia Sukhopara Tina Zhang Jordan Koransky Lindsey Baggett* Katrina Bobbs Savitski*

OBOE Jonathan Fischer, Principal Lucy Binyon Stude Chair Anne Leek, Associate Principal Colin Gatwood Adam Dinitz ENGLISH HORN Adam Dinitz

VIOLA Wayne Brooks, Principal Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Legacy Society Chair Joan DerHovsepian, Associate Principal George Pascal, Assistant Principal Wei Jiang Linda Goldstein Sheldon Person Fay Shapiro Daniel Strba Jarita Ng Phyllis Herdliska CELLO Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Janice and Thomas Barrow Chair Christopher French, Associate Principal Anthony Kitai Louis-Marie Fardet Jeffrey Butler Maki Kubota Xiao Wong Charles Seo Emileigh Vandiver* James R. Denton** Community-Embedded Musicians David Connor, double bass Rainel Joubert, violin Patricia Quintero Garcia, violin Alexa Thomson, viola

8 | Houston Symphony

Steven Reineke Principal POPS Conductor Robert Franz Associate Conductor Betsy Cook Weber Director, Houston Symphony Chorus

CLARINET Mark Nuccio, Principal Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Christian Schubert Alexander Potiomkin E-FLAT CLARINET Thomas LeGrand

HORN William VerMeulen, Principal Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Jesse Clevenger*, Assistant Principal Brian Thomas Nancy Goodearl Ian Mayton TRUMPET Mark Hughes, Principal George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Chair John Parker, Associate Principal Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Richard Harris TROMBONE Allen Barnhill, Principal Bradley White, Associate Principal Phillip Freeman BASS TROMBONE Phillip Freeman TUBA Dave Kirk, Principal TIMPANI Leonardo Soto, Principal Matthew Strauss, Associate Principal PERCUSSION Brian Del Signore, Principal Mark Griffith Matthew Strauss HARP Megan Conley, Principal** KEYBOARD Scott Holshouser, Principal

BASS CLARINET Alexander Potiomkin Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair BASSOON Rian Craypo, Principal Eric Arbiter, Associate Principal Elise Wagner

*Contracted Substitute ** On Leave ^ Through Jan. 19 ^^ Beginning Jan. 20

CONTRABASSOON Position Vacant

Orchestra Personnel Manager Michael Gorman

Librarian Thomas Takaro

Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager Josh Hall

Assistant Librarians Aspen McArthur Michael McMurray

Interim Stage Manager José Rios

Stage Technicians Nick DiFonzo Ryan Samuelsen David Stennis Stefan Stout

TRUSTEES

2018-19 SEASON

SOCIETY BOARD of

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY SOCIETY

Executive Committee Janet F. Clark President Steven P. Mach Immediate Past President

Bobby Tudor Chairman Paul R. Morico General Counsel

Mike S. Stude Chairman Emeritus Barbara McCelvey Secretary

Danielle Batchelor Chair, Popular Programming Barbara J. Burger Chair, Finance Justice Brett Busby Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D. Chair, Pension Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership Viviana Denechaud Chair, Development Tracy Dieterich Chair, Community Partnerships Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Billy McCartney Chair, Education Robert Peiser^ At Large Alexandra Pruner^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment David Pruner Chair, Strategic Planning Manolo Sánchez Chair, Marketing & Communications Jesse B. Tutor Immediate Past Chair, Chair, Audit Maureen Higdon^ President, Houston Symphony League

Andrés Orozco-Estrada^ Music Director John Mangum^ Executive Director/CEO Adam Dinitz^ Musician Representative Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative Christine Kelly-Weaver^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio

GOVERNING DIRECTORS Farida Abjani Michael W. Adler Marcia Backus Janice Barrow** Danielle Batchelor Gary Beauchamp Marie Taylor Bosarge Ralph Burch Barbara J. Burger Justice Brett Busby Andrew Calder Janet F. Clark Michael H. Clark Brad W. Corson Viviana Denechaud

Michael Doherty Paul R. Morico Terry Elizabeth Everett Kevin O’Gorman David Frankfort Robert Orr Cully Platt Ronald G. Franklin David Pruner Sippi Khurana, M.D. John Rydman** Rochelle Levit, Ph.D. Helen Shaffer ** Cora Sue Mach ** Steven P. Mach Jim R. Smith Paul M. Mann, M.D. Miles O. Smith Jay Marks ** Mike S. Stude ** Mary Lynn Marks William J. Toomey II Rodney Margolis** Bobby Tudor ** Billy McCartney Betty Tutor ** Barbara McCelvey Jesse B. Tutor ** Alexander K. McLanahan ** Judith Vincent

Margaret Alkek Williams ** Scott Wulfe David Wuthrich Ex-Officio Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D. Tracy Dieterich Adam Dinitz Maureen Higdon Mark Hughes Nina McGlashan Mark Nuccio Gloria Pryzant **Lifetime Trustee

TRUSTEES Philip Bahr Devinder Bhatia, M.D. James M. Bell Nancy Shelton Bratic Terry Ann Brown** Dougal Cameron Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D. John T. Cater ** Evan Collins, M.D., MBA Andrew Davis, Ph.D. Tracy Dieterich Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D. Jeffrey B. Firestone Eugene Fong Julia Anderson Frankel Betsy Garlinger Evan B. Glick

Susan Hansen Gloria G. Pryzant Eric Haufrect, M.D. Tadd Pullin Gary L. Hollingsworth, M.D. Roman Reed Brian James Richard Robbins, M.D. Joan Kaplan J. Hugh Roff Jr. ** I. Ray Kirk, M.D. Miwa Sakashita Manolo Sánchez Ulyesse LeGrange ** Ed Schneider Carlos J. Lopez Michael Mann, M.D. Michael E. Shannon ** Jack Matzer Kafi Slaughter Jackie Wolens Mazow Robert Sloan, Ph.D. Gary Mercer Tad Smith Marilyn Miles Ishwaria Subbiah, M.D. Janet Moore L. Proctor (Terry) Thomas Bobbie Newman Shirley W. Toomim Scott Nyquist Margaret Waisman, Edward Osterberg Jr. M.D. Robert A. Peiser** Fredric Weber

Mrs. S. Conrad Weil Robert Weiner Vicki West Steven J. Williams Frank Wilson Ed Wulfe ** Ellen A. Yarrell Robert Yekovich Frank Yonish Ex-Officio Ann Ayre Jennifer Gravenor Alexandra Pruner Art Vivar Jessie Woods **Lifetime Trustee

Mrs. Edwin B. Parker Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. H. M. Garwood Joseph A. Mullen, M.D. Joseph S. Smith Walter H. Walne H. R. Cullen Gen. Maurice Hirsch Charles F. Jones Fayez Sarofim John T. Cater Richard G. Merrill Ellen Elizardi Kelley John D. Platt

E.C. Vandagrift Jr. J. Hugh Roff Jr. Robert M. Hermance Gene McDavid Janice H. Barrow Barry C. Burkholder Rodney H. Margolis Jeffrey B. Early Michael E. Shannon Ed Wulfe Jesse B. Tutor Robert B. Tudor III Robert A. Peiser Steven P. Mach

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. John F. Grant Mrs. J. R. Parten Mrs. Andrew E. Rutter Mrs. Aubrey Leno Carter Mrs. Stuart Sherar Mrs. Julian Barrows Ms. Hazel Ledbetter Mrs. Albert P. Jones Mrs. Ben A. Calhoun Mrs. James Griffith Lawhon Mrs. Olaf LaCour Olsen Mrs. Ralph Ellis Gunn Mrs. Leon Jaworski Mrs. Garrett R. Tucker Jr. Mrs. M. T. Launius Jr. Mrs. Thompson McCleary Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper Mrs. Allen W. Carruth Mrs. David Hannah Jr. Mary Louis Kister Mrs. Edward W. Kelley Jr. Mrs. John W. Herndon Mrs. Charles Franzen Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss Jr. Mrs. Edward H. Soderstrom

Mrs. Lilly Kucera Andress Ms. Marilou Bonner Mrs. W. Harold Sellers Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Mrs. Robert M. Eury Mrs. E. C. Vandagrift Jr. Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Terry Ann Brown Nancy Strohmer Mary Ann McKeithan Ann Cavanaugh Mrs. James A. Shaffer Lucy H. Lewis Catherine McNamara Shirley McGregor Pearson Paula Jarrett Cora Sue Mach Kathi Rovere Norma Jean Brown Barbara McCelvey Lori Sorcic Jansen Nancy B. Willerson Jane Clark Nancy Littlejohn Donna Shen Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein Vicki West Mrs. Jesse Tutor Darlene Clark Beth Wolff

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE BAY AREA Fran Strong Selma Neumann Julia Wells Dagmar Meeh Priscilla Heidbreder Harriett Small Nina Spencer Elizabeth Glenn Ebby Creden Charlotte Gaunt Norma Brady Cindy Kuenneke Helen Powell Sharon Dillard Diane McLaughlin Roberta Liston Suzanne Hicks Sue Smith

Shirley Wettling Jo Anne Mills Phyllis Molnar Pat Bertelli Emyre B. Robinson Dana Puddy Angela Buell Pat Brackett Joan Wade Yvonne Herring Deanna Lamoreux Glenda Toole Carole Murphy Patience Myers James Moore Mary Voigt Martha McWilliams

FRIENDS OF JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES Justice Brett Busby

Ronald G. Franklin

Steven P. Mach

Barbara McCelvey InTUNE — January 2019 | 9

STAFF

ADMINISTRATIVE

The Houston Symphony Administrative Staff is made up of 62 full-time and part-time professionals who work diligently behind-the-scenes to ensure all operations within the organization are run effectively and efficiently. This inspiring team is dedicated to bringing the great music of the Houston Symphony to our community. SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO, Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Pam Blaine, Chief of Education and Community Engagement Elizabeth S. Condic, Chief Financial Officer Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer Gwen Watkins, Chief Marketing Officer Christine Kelly-Weaver, Executive Assistant/Board Liaison DEVELOPMENT Michael Arlen, Associate Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts Rachel Bosworth, Manager, Special Events Julie Busch, Manager, League Relations and Fundraising Timothy Dillow, Director, Special Events Amanda T. Dinitz, Major Gifts Officer Samuel García, Development Assistant Christina Hamilton, Development Associate, Gifts & Records Sydnee E. Houlette, Manager, Donor Services and Stewardship Leticia Konigsberg, Director, Corporate Relations Mary Beth Mosley, Director, Institutional Giving and Stewardship Tyler Murphy, Development Officer, Major Giving Groups Shane Platt, Development Associate, Individual Giving Patrick Quinn, Director, Planned Giving Martin Schleuse, Development Communications Manager Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts Christina Trunzo, Associate Director, Foundation & Government Grants EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Allison Conlan, Director, Education Emily Nelson, Associate Director, Education and Community Engagement Ana Rodriguez, Education & Community Engagement Manager Garrett Shaw, Education & Community Engagement Coordinator FINANCE | ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR Lucy Alejandro, Senior Accountant Brittany Basden, Support Engineer Robert Boyd, Budget Manager Joel James, Senior HR Manager Christian Kuri, Payroll and Accounts Payable Analyst Morgana Rickard, Controller Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant Anthony Stringer, Director, IT Ariela Ventura, Office Manager/HR Coordinator Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics 10 | Houston Symphony

MARKETING | COMMUNICATIONS | PATRON SERVICES Mark Bailes, Marketing Coordinator Shelby Banda, Patron Services Representative Calvin Dotsey, Communications Specialist Heather Fails, Manager, Ticketing Database Kristin Hawkins, Graphic Designer Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing Mateo Lopez, Assistant Manager, Patron Services Center Melanie O’Neill, Creative Specialist Sarah Rendón, Front of House Manager Mireya Reyna, Public Relations Coordinator Vanessa Rivera, Digital Marketing Manager Ashley Rodriguez, Patron Services Senior Representative Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications Marylu Treviño, Digital Communications Manager Linsey Whitehead, Director, Creative Services Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services OPERATIONS | ARTISTIC Carlos Andrés Botero, Musical Ambassador Becky Brown, Director, Operations Stephanie Calascione, Artistic/Operations Assistant Anna Diemer, Chorus Manager Jessica Fertinel, Assistant to the Music Director Michael Gorman, Orchestra Personnel Manager José Rios, Interim Stage Manager Josh Hall, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager Aspen McArthur, Assistant Librarian Michael McMurray, Assistant Librarian Lesley Sabol, Director, Popular Programming Brad Sayles, Recording Engineer Thomas Takaro, Librarian Meredith Williams, Associate Director, Operations Rebecca Zabinski, Director, Artistic Planning

WELCOME

GWEN WATKINS CHIEF

MARKETING

OFFICER

The Houston Symphony named Gwen Watkins as its Chief Marketing Officer beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Watkins most recently served as the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s associate head of marketing and communications for the past three years. She joined the organization in 2011. “Having conducted a national search, we’re thrilled we found Gwen, who comes to us with truly impressive credentials from right here in the Houston market,” said Executive Director/CEO and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum. “I look forward to seeing what she’ll achieve as the head of the Houston Symphony’s Marketing and Communications team.” “From growing up attending the symphony and opera with my parents, to taking elective courses in college on music history and theory, classical music has long been a strong passion of mine,” said Gwen. “The Houston Symphony is an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric, and I consider it an honor to be responsible for promoting the Symphony’s exciting offerings.”

Vision

2025 Implementation Fund

Vision 2025, the Houston Symphony’s ten-year Strategic Plan, describes our vision to be America’s most relevant and accessible top ten orchestra by 2025. Since the plan was launched in 2015, the Houston Symphony has received generous contributions from hundreds of donors in support of the Vision 2025 Implementation Fund which surpassed $10 million in donations in the 2017-18 season. The fund includes support of specific initiatives that advance the goals of the Strategic Plan, such as: • The orchestra’s first multi-city European Tour in 20 years. • New and expanded education and community programming like the industry-leading Community-Embedded Musicians initiative. • Commissioning and recording initiatives like our cycle of late Dvořák symphonies, Music of the Americas; Haydn—The Creation; and Berg: Wozzeck, which recently earned the Houston Symphony’s first Grammy Award®. In addition, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, donors have also supported the Symphony’s Harvey Recovery Fund, allowing us to continue to work toward our vision during a challenging time. We are honored by their generous support. $1 MILLION OR MORE

The Brown Foundation, Inc. Janet F. Clark Rochelle & Max Levit

Mr. Jay Steinfeld & Mrs. Barbara Winthrop Anonymous (1)

$25,000-$49,000

The Cullen Foundation Clare Attwell Glassell Houston Endowment Mr. John N. Neighbors C. Howard Pieper Foundation Spec’s Charitable Foundation Shirley W. Toomim

Gary & Marian Beauchamp The Boeing Company Justice Brett & Erin Busby Mr. & Mrs. Melbern G. Glasscock Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch Houston Downtown Alliance Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi/ Kalsi Engineering Carol & Michael Linn & The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Beth Madison Rita & Paul Morico Michael J. Shawiak Vinson & Elkins, LLP Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Ellen A. Yarrell

$100,000-$249,999

$15,000-24,999

$500,000-$999,999

Janice Barrow Barbara J. Burger The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

$250,000-$499,999

Beauchamp Foundation Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge The Elkins Foundation The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Joella & Steven P. Mach Barbara & Pat McCelvey Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Janice & Robert* McNair Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells Mike Stude Oliver Wyman

$75,000-$99,999

EOG Resources, Inc. League of American Orchestras M. D. Anderson Foundation Lisa & Jerry Simon

$50,000-$74,999

Robin Angly & Miles Smith BBVA Compass Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle The Humphreys Foundation LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation Jay & Shirley Marks Nancy & Robert Peiser Dave & Alie Pruner Alice & Terry Thomas The William Stamps Farish Fund

Ralph Burch The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Viviana & David Denechaud Eugene Fong Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Christina & Mark Hanson Debbie & Frank Jones Dr. Stewart Morris Katie & Bob Orr / Oliver Wyman Donna & Tim Shen Tad & Suzanne Smith Texas Commission on the Arts Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Judith Vincent Vicki West Daisy S. Wong / JCorp

$10,000-$14,999

Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation BB&T Cameron Management Virginia A. Clark Brad & Joan Corson Houston First Corporation Marzena & Jacek Jaminski Cora Sue & Harry Mach Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

Michelle & Jack Matzer Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Laura & Mike Shannon Spir Star, Ltd. United Airlines Anonymous (1)

$5,000-$9,999

Estate of Freddie L. Anderson Anne Morgan Barrett James M. Bell Terry Ann Brown Dr. & Mrs. Samuel B. Condic Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger Mrs. Elizabeth B. Frost Mr. Jackson Hicks / Jackson & Company Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Kenneth J. Hyde Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Gary Mercer Susan & Edward Osterberg Mr. & Mrs. T.R. Reckling III The Schissler Foundation Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Stephen & Kristine Wallace Steven & Nancy Williams Mr. & Mrs. Tony Williford Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr.

$2,500-$4,999

Frances & Ira Anderson Bank of America Mary Kathryn Campion, PhD Margot & John Cater Dr. Rita Justice Mr. Yosuke Kawasaki Dr. Thomas D. Nichols Gloria & Joe Pryzant Mr. Steven Reineke Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Manolo Sánchez The Strake Foundation Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish

$1,500-$2,499

Anne H. Bushman Julianne & David Gorte The Leon Jaworski Foundation David & Heidi Massin Strake Foundation Mr. Walter Weathers

For more information or to pledge your support for Vision 2025, please contact: John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO, 713.337.8540 | Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525 Mary Beth Mosley, Director, Institutional Giving and Stewardship, 713.337.8521 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526 12 | Houston Symphony

$1,000-$1,499

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Bergauer Mr. & Mrs. Chad Blaine Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark George W. Connelly Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Vicky Dominguez Mr. & Mrs. J. Thomas Eubank Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Frautschi Dr. Susan Gardner & Dr. Philip Scott Catherine & Brian James Nina Andrews & David Karohl Velva G. & H. Fred Levine Dr. Amy Mehollin-Ray Oklahoma City Philharmonic Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Roland & Linda Pringle Hugh & Ann Roff Mr. & Mrs. & Ms. Brad Suddarth Mr. & Mrs. Albert S. Tabor Jr. Jean & Doug Thomas Alton & Carolyn Warren General & Mrs. Jasper Welch Nancy B. Willerson

$500-$999

Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Armes Mr. & Mrs. Ed Banner George & Florence Boerger Mr. Ken D. Brownlee & Ms. Caroline Deetjen Leone Buyse & Michael Webster Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Campbell Jr. David Chambers & Alex Steffler Mr. Chaing-Lin Chen Dr. Evan D. Collins Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Detwiler Mr. Jonathan Fischer Gillin Family Charitable Fund Bill Grieves Stephen Jeu & Susanna Calvo Mrs. Margaret Ketcham Mrs. Mariquita Masterson Mrs. Karen Mende-Fridkis ONEOK, Inc. Michael P. & Shirley Pearson Dr. & Mrs. Joseph V. Penn Patrick T. Quinn Mr. John Robertson Ms. Christine L. Scruggs Ms. Kelly Somoza Doug & Kay Wilson Robert & Michele Yekovich *deceased

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InTUNE — January 2019 | 13

New Century Society FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION The New Century Society for Artistic Excellence and Innovation recognizes the Houston Symphony’s most committed and loyal supporters who have pledged their leadership support over a three-year period to help secure the orchestra’s financial future. Margaret Alkek Williams Janice Barrow Rochelle & Max Levit Cora Sue & Harry Mach John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods/ Spec’s Charitable Foundation Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Clare Attwell Glassell Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Mr. John N. Neighbors Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mike Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Robin Angly & Miles Smith Gary & Marian Beauchamp Barbara J. Burger Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch The Hearst Foundation, Inc. The Joan and Marvin Kaplan Foundation Joella & Steven P. Mach Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Barbara & Pat McCelvey Houston Methodist Carol & Michael Linn & The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Rand Group Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr. / The Robbins Foundation Steven & Nancy Williams

Baker Botts L.L.P. Beauchamp Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Viviana & David Denechaud/ Sidley Austin LLP Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Dave & Alie Pruner

Members SPOTLIGHT Jay Steinfeld and Barbara Winthrop are members of the Maestro’s Society. They have supported the 2018 European Tour, the commercial release of the Houston Symphony’s recordings of Dvořák’s late symphonies, and the Community-Embedded Musicians and their work in the Crespo and Lewis Elementary School residencies. Jay & Barbara have brought their grandchildren to Family Series concerts since they were three, and they love the creative programs and the Instrument Petting Zoo.

Leadership COUNCIL Leadership Council donors have committed $45,000 or more in support of the Annual Fund, special projects and fundraising events over a three-year period ($15,000+ annually). Danielle & Josh Batchelor Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Justice Brett & Erin Busby The Elkins Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman

The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Billy & Christie McCartney

Rita & Paul Morico Ken* & Carol Lee Robertson Michael J. Shawiak Stephen & Kristine Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. *deceased

For more information or to pledge your support for the New Century Society or the Leadership Council, please contact: Mary Beth Mosley, Director, Institutional Giving and Stewardship, 713.337.8521 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526

14 | Houston Symphony

SAVE THE DATE HOUSTON SYMPHONY 2O19 WINE DINNER COLLECTOR’S AUCTION

Friday, February 8 6:30 pm THE ASTORIAN 2500 SUMMER STREET

Benefiting

THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY’S EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CATHERINE AND BRIAN JAMES, CHAIRS ROBERT WEINER, COLLECTOR’S AUCTION CHAIR

For further information or to purchase tables and tickets, contact

TIM DILLOW, DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EVENTS AT timothy.dillow@houstonsymphony.org or visit www.houstonsymphony.org/wine/

League

concert PREVIEW FEBRUARY 15, 16 & 17 â&#x20AC;¢ JONES HALL

ELL A

fitzgerald

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILLIAM P. GOTTLIEB/IRA AND LEONORE S. GERSHWIN FUND COLLECTION, MUSIC DIVISION, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

16 | Houston Symphony

his Valentine’s Day weekend, the Houston Symphony pays tribute to one of the greatest singers of the 20th century: Ella Fitzgerald. While nearly everyone has heard of Ella, few know of the remarkable path she took to become a legend of jazz and popular music whose influence resonates to this day. Ella was born in 1917 to poor parents in Newport News, Virginia, and her father left the family when she was only 3 years old. Like so many people of color during this era, the Fitzgeralds took part in the great migration, moving north to Yonkers, New York, in search of a better life. Life in Yonkers was not easy, however, and the family remained poor. Nevertheless, Ella always had an irrepressible spirit; her neighbors and childhood friends would remember her as always singing and dancing, determined that one day she would be a star. Initially, Ella did well in school, sang at church, took piano lessons and learned to read music. Her mother’s unexpected death in 1932, however, began a series of incredible hardships for the teenaged girl. Possibly as a result of abuse from her stepfather, Ella moved to Harlem with her aunt. She did not adjust well to her new reality and dropped out of school, “running numbers”—selling tickets for an illegal, Mafia-run lottery—to make money. As a result of her truancy, she was sent to the New York State Training School for Girls, an institution for “wayward” or “incorrigible” young women. Two years later, a government investigation would expose that the black girls living at the school were housed in atrocious conditions and were routinely beaten. Understandably, Ella ran away. She was now homeless.

Despite these challenges, Ella was still singing and dancing. She regularly performed on 125th street in Harlem, and on November 21, 1934, she took part in the amateur night contest at the Apollo Theater. Originally, she had planned to dance, but when she saw the beautiful costumes of the other dancers she was so ashamed of her shabby

clothes she decided to sing instead. Despite her unkempt hair and wornout boots, the audience went wild. She won the contest. Ella’s victory did not immediately translate into an improvement in her living conditions; it was four months later that she got her big break from Chick Webb, a young, ambitious band leader who had gained a reputation as one of the best drummers in Harlem. Despite his chronic spinal tuberculosis, which gave him a hunch-backed appearance, Webb was, like Ella, determined to break through to the big time. In 1935, he decided that maybe what his band needed was a female vocalist, and he tasked Charles Linton,

his band’s handsome lead singer, with the job of finding him one. Linton explained, “They left it to me because they knew I knew all the women that were, well, you know, beautiful.” The singer Linton found, however, was not what Webb initially had in mind. On a tip from an acquaintance who knew of Ella’s win at the Apollo, Linton visited her and heard her sing. Despite her appearance, Linton knew she was something special. He brought her to Webb, who took one look at her and whispered, “You’re not puttin’ that on my bandstand. No, no, no. Out!” Undeterred, Linton turned to Webb’s manager, Charlie Buchanan, and threatened to quit if he refused to listen to her. After a trial of two weeks, Webb made Ella his lead female vocalist.

Within months of being homeless, the 18-year-old singer would become one of the most sought-after artists in Harlem, and by 1938, she had her first chart-topping hit. Her first recordings reveal the remarkable vocal qualities that would make her “The First Lady of Song.” Her intonation and diction were flawless; she had an innate feeling for rhythm and could swing effortlessly; she could memorize the words and melodies of new songs at an astonishing speed; she had a range of three octaves and a gift for improvisation and scat singing; and her voice had a disarmingly lovely, youthful tone. But perhaps most of all, even at 18, she sang with joy and an emotional maturity beyond her years. She knew how to take life, with all its adversity, and turn it into something beautiful. In the midst of the Great Depression, that was exactly what America needed. Ella’s nearly 60-year career would set records and break boundaries, and in honor of her extraordinary accomplishments, the Houston Symphony has gathered some of her most talented admirers for a program of her signature songs. Featuring classics by George Gershwin, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Richard Rodgers and more, these concerts showcase the romance and jazzy vocal fireworks of Ella’s repertoire. The concerts’ vocalists, Montego Glover, Capathia Jenkens and N’Kenge, are all Broadway veterans who have starred in shows such as Memphis, Motown: The Musical and Les Misérables, and will be joined by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and the fabulous musicians of the Houston Symphony. “She is my personal favorite ‘girl singer’ of all time,” Steven said. “Not only was she one of the greatest jazz singers, male or female, but her repertoire is full of extraordinary songs. I’m not often star-struck anymore, but I would give just about anything to have met Ella or to have seen her perform.” Don’t miss The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook February 15, 16 & 17! Get tickets and more information at houstonsymphony.org. InTUNE — January 2019 | 17

Jimmy López and Erin Graham discuss her composition.

houston symphony COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE

RESILIENT SOUNDS Celebrating the Determination and Hope of Houston’s Refugee Communities

“Good! A beautiful setting,” Jimmy said over the applause as the pianist and vocalist finished the first reading of a new song by Erin Graham, a student at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. “There is one thing I’m thinking about: it’s so well written for the piano that I’m wondering how you’re going to transcribe it for orchestral instruments,” Jimmy continued. “For example, all those piano textures you have—the triplets— how do you envision orchestrating that?” “I was thinking harp, xylophone and celeste, and maybe clarinet,” Erin responded. “I think that will work beautifully,” Jimmy said. “Strings could do it as well, but not for a very long time.” For the first time, Jimmy López, the Houston Symphony’s composer-in-residence, is seeing his plan for an innovative new program in action. This unique initiative brings together student composers and refugees from around the world who have found a home in Houston. Through a partnership with Interfaith 18 | Houston Symphony

Ministries for Greater Houston, six students from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music are each paired with a refugee whose story will inspire a new composition. The composers also collaborate with other artists—such as a dancer, a poet or a filmmaker—to create multimedia works of art to be performed at White Oak Music Hall on June 11, leading up to the United Nations’ World Refugee Day on June 20. Throughout the process of creation, Jimmy will mentor the young composers, drawing on his years of experience and musical insight. Born in Peru and trained in Finland, Jimmy has dazzled the classical music world with his vibrant scores. His works have been performed by the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Houston Symphony will give the world premiere of his Violin Concerto in May and of a new symphony next season.

“I was struck by the originality and aesthetic diversity present in each of the pieces...” –Jimmy López Composition students: Victor Rangel, Kyle Rivera & Alejandro Basulto

But Jimmy’s vision extends far beyond success in the concert hall. “When I was first called to be composer-inresidence at the Houston Symphony, we tried to figure out how to make an impact beyond just performing my music with the orchestra,” Jimmy explained. “One of the things we thought of was cooperating with students. I remember being mentored by composers and how important that was to me, so I think there is a sense of responsibility to also share my knowledge, and that is very exciting. “We also had this idea of involving the composers even deeper in the community by connecting them with refugees who are Houstonians as well. They are both part of the fabric of this society, but they haven’t had any contact with each other. The idea of diversity came up a lot during my first conversations with the Houston Symphony, so I thought creating these connections is really important. We want diversity, but we also want integration. We are trying to create a tighter network within Houston.” The student composers have warmed to the challenge of these ambitious goals. Months before their first workshop with Jimmy, the students met with the refugees and began working on first drafts of their compositions. Kyle Rivera, a student at the University of Houston, has been paired with a Congolese refugee named Shinga who now works for Interfaith Ministries. “The whole arc of the piece came to me instantly when Shinga was telling me his story,” Kyle said. “He told me how their days would go about—how they would wake up, go to school and play games—and how there was always fighting going on, but they were able to work their lives around it. So the idea of the piece is like the arc of a single day.”

As the students listened to each other’s pieces for the first time, there was palpable excitement in the small classroom at the Shepherd School of Music where the first workshop took place. “I was struck by the originality and aesthetic diversity present in each of the pieces showcased during our first workshop,” Jimmy said. “It was fascinating to learn how the six participating composers were influenced by the heart-wrenching and inspiring stories that the refugees from Interfaith Ministries shared with them. All of the composers have shown they are deserving of this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to mentor them in February, when we will focus on instrumentation and orchestration and on the marriage between music and the other disciplines involved.” Ultimately, this project is about hope and overcoming incredible odds. Music has a remarkable power to communicate emotions and bring people together, and this initiative is harnessing that power to tell the stories of some truly inspiring Houstonians. “The collaboration has been wonderful,” said Salemu, a Congolese refugee partnered with Erin. “The first time we met, Erin was really trying to understand and ask as many questions as she could to put the pieces together.” “I feel like this is an opportunity,” he continued. “The need of refugees is very high, and some people don’t really know about it. We will be retelling these stories through music, which is an international language. I hope great things will come of it.”

InTUNE — January 2019 | 19

FEATURED PROGRAM

GERSHWIN’S RHAPSODY IN BLUE Friday Saturday Sunday

January 4, 2019 January 5, 2019 January 6, 2019

8:00pm 8:00pm 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Jeffrey Kahane, conductor and piano

Ravel

T. Andres

Piano Concerto in G major I Allegramente II Adagio assai III Presto

ca. 21

Paraphrase on Themes of Brian Eno

ca. 13

I N T E R M I S S I O N

Milhaud Gershwin/F. Grofé

La création du monde, Opus 81a

ca. 16

Rhapsody in Blue (original version)

ca. 16

20 | Houston Symphony

Did you know? • George Gershwin was an avid tennis player, a hobby he shared with the avant-garde composer Arnold Schoenberg. When both of them were living in Los Angeles in the 1930s, they frequently played tennis together.

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue | Program Biography

Program BIOGRAPHY SHELL FAVORITE MASTERS

These performances are generously supported in part by: Guarantor C. Howard Pieper Foundation Underwriter

Underwriter Mr. John N. Neighbors Supporter Tad & Suzanne Smith

Jeffrey Kahane | conductor and piano Equally at home at the keyboard or on the podium, Jeffrey Kahane has established an international reputation as a versatile artist, recognized by audiences for his mastery of a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Gershwin and John Adams. Jeffrey appears as soloist with major orchestras throughout the country and is a popular artist at leading U.S. summer festivals. In 2016, he was appointed music director of the Sarasota Music Festival, which offers masterclasses and chamber music coaching and features chamber music performances and orchestral concerts performed by advanced students, young professionals and faculty members. Since making his Carnegie Hall debut in 1983, he has given recitals in many of the nation’s major music centers and is equally at home as a chamber musician. He collaborates with today’s most important chamber ensembles and was artistic director of the Green Music Center ChamberFest (2015 and 2016).

United Airlines has been a long-time supporter of a variety of charitable and artistic organizations, believing it is essential for a global corporation to be socially responsible. United’s philosophy has always been to demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship in its interactions with its employees, the community and the environment. United is proud to have been the Official Airline of the Houston Symphony for many years. United Airlines operates more than 4,500 flights a day to more than 330 airports in 50 countries, flying 143 million passengers in 2016. More than 88,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world, with more than 14,000 in Houston alone. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the airline’s gateway to Latin America and half of United’s 91 daily nonstop international departures are to Mexico, Latin America or the Caribbean. United’s MileagePlus loyalty program was awarded Best Frequent Flyer Bonus Program and Best Overall Frequent Flyer Program by Global Traveler magazine for the 12th consecutive year.

Jeffrey made his conducting debut at the Oregon Bach Festival in 1988. Since then, he has guest conducted many U.S. orchestras. In May 2017, he completed his 20th and final season as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. He also served as music director of the Colorado Symphony (2005-2010) and for 10 seasons was music director of the Santa Rosa Symphony where he is now conductor laureate. He has received much recognition for his innovative programming, commitment to education and community involvement and received ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming for his work in Los Angeles and Denver. He has recorded for the SONY, EMI, Telarc, RCA, Nonesuch, Deutsche Grammophon, Virgin Records, Decca/Argo and Hänssler labels. A native of Los Angeles and a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Jeffrey studied piano with Howard Weisel and Jakob Gimpel. First Prize winner at the 1983 Rubinstein Piano Competition and a finalist at the 1981 Van Cliburn Competition, he received the 1983 Avery Fisher Career Grant. An avid linguist, he received a master’s degree in classics from the University of Colorado Boulder. He is currently a professor of keyboard studies at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Jeffrey Kahane resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Martha, a clinical psychologist. They have two children—Gabriel, a composer, pianist and singer/songwriter, and Annie, a dancer and poet.

InTUNE — January 2019 | 21

Program NOTES Piano Concerto in G major Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Ravel had long toyed with the idea of composing a work for piano and orchestra, but did not complete his piano concerto until he was in his mid-50s. He planned to play it himself on a grand (but ultimately unrealized) world tour that would include not only Europe and the United States, but also South America and East Asia. Reacting against the bombast of many 19th-century concertos, Ravel said, “The music of a concerto should, in my opinion, be lighthearted and brilliant, and not aim at profundity or at dramatic effects.” Lest one misinterpret his rejection of “profundity,” however, it bears mentioning that Ravel’s music often reveals depths of feeling beneath its glittering surfaces. The concerto opens with the crack of a musical whip as the piccolo and trumpet introduce the playful main theme of the first movement. More meditative, lyrical piano solos alternate with jazzy motifs and fast, virtuoso passages. Just after the middle of the movement, Ravel shows off his genius for orchestration with an entrancing passage featuring airy harp harmonics. The slow, poignant second movement begins with a long melody for solo piano. Part of its secret is that the simple, pulsing accompaniment is in 6/8 while the melody is in 3/4. The two meters tug against each other throughout the movement, creating a subtle tension beneath the music’s tranquil surface. The finale returns to the effervescent humor of the first movement. Fragmentary motifs rotate in a kaleidoscopic array, beginning with the pert chords that open the movement. Two other ideas play important roles: a marchlike melody and brassy fanfares. In a characteristic witty twist, the movement ends exactly as it began. The Instruments: flute, piccolo, oboe, English horn, clarinet, E-flat clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, trumpet, trombone, timpani, percussion, harp and strings

Paraphrase on Themes of Brian Eno Timo Andres (b. 1985)

Born in California and raised in Connecticut, Timo Andres is one of the United States’ most successful young composers. Written in 2010, his Paraphrase is an homage to Brian Eno, the versatile British musician and pioneer of ambient music. The Paraphrase is essentially an orchestration of several melodies from Eno’s alt-rock records of the late 1970s. Andres compares his work to “a 19th-century style ‘orchestral paraphrase,’” referring to a genre of light music that draws on preexisting material. Liszt, for instance, was famous for his virtuoso piano paraphrases of tunes from popular operas such as Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and Lucia di Lammermoor. For 22 | Houston Symphony

Liszt, the opera melodies provided opportunities to show off his astounding piano technique while drawing the audience in with easily recognizable tunes. Andres seems more interested in translating the sounds of Eno’s heavily processed, electronic rock band into acoustic, orchestral ones, and it is interesting to compare Andres’ treatment of the themes with Eno’s originals. Throughout, Andres selects melodies with similar shapes to create a sense of musical coherence, focusing on the dreamy, gently melancholy themes that seem most characteristic of Eno. According to Andres, the Paraphrase focuses “on the albums Before and After Science and Another Green World, with some Apollo by means of an introduction.” Specifically, Andres includes melodies from the songs “Everything Merges with the Night” (Another Green World), “Julie With…” (Before and After Science), “Spirits Drifting” (Another Green World) and “By this River” (Before and After Science). The Instruments: flute, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, percussion, piano and strings

La création du monde, Opus 81a Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)

Much as japonisme (a rage for all things Japanese) influenced the French impressionists in the late 19th century, africanisme (a rage for all things African and African-American) would prove a decisive influence on the arts in early 20th-century Paris. In music, this trend was fueled by the birth of jazz. Darius Milhaud, a French-Jewish composer from Provence, was particularly fascinated by the new sounds being created by black Americans. He had the opportunity to hear authentic jazz during a visit to New York in 1922: “The music I heard was absolutely different from anything I had ever heard before, and was a revelation to me. Against the beat of the drums, the melodic lines criss-crossed in a breathless pattern of broken and twisted rhythms. […] Its effect on me was so overwhelming that I could not tear myself away. […] More than ever I was resolved to use jazz for a chamber-music work.” He would do just that the following year when the Ballets suédois approached him to write the music for La création du monde (The Creation of the World), a ballet inspired by africanisme. Based on a creation story of the Fang people of Gabon, the ballet featured spectacular sets and costumes designed by Fernand Léger that combined African motifs with cubism. The ballet begins with an introduction: “the curtain rises very slowly revealing a dark, unlit scene. One sees in the middle of the stage a confused heap of mangled bodies: hubbub

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue | Program Notes

before the creation.” Musically, this scene is accompanied by a long saxophone melody. Next, three creation deities begin “speaking magic incantations.” Milhaud illustrates this with a brilliant jazz fugue initiated by the double bass. The fugue suddenly stops as the music from the introduction returns, signaling the emergence of plants and animals. After a gentle oboe solo, the music builds to a dancing duet for violins, which represents “new incantations” from the deities. When the music slows, “two busts rise at once […] it is the man and the woman, suddenly standing: they recognize each other.” A jazzy clarinet solo accompanies their pas de deux. The music slows as the oboe plays a new melody punctuated by percussive chords as “the N’guils, the Sorcerers” emerge. The jazzy pas de deux then resumes as “everything revolves around the couple.” The music fades away, and we hear an enchanting passage for flutter-tongue woodwinds: “The couple is isolated in a kiss that carries them like a wave. It is spring.” The Instruments: 2 flutes (one doubling piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets, alto saxophone, bassoon, horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, timpani, percussion, 2 solo violins, solo cello and solo double bass

Rhapsody in Blue

George Gershwin (1898-1937) On January 3, 1924, the Gershwin brothers were up late. Ira was perusing the morning edition of the next day’s New York Herald when he discovered an announcement for a February 12 concert called “An Experiment in Modern Music.” Featuring Paul Whiteman’s jazz band, the concert would be attended by a who’s who of the classical music world and would showcase new music inspired by jazz. Much to their surprise, the highlight would be a new “jazz concerto” by George Gershwin. Apparently, Gershwin had completely forgotten about the concert, and four days later he began writing down what would become Rhapsody in Blue. Fortunately, he had already been working out much of the piece in his head during the month before. Gershwin later wrote that inspiration had come to him “on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty-bang that is so often stimulating to a composer….And there I suddenly heard— and even saw on paper—the complete construction of the rhapsody, from beginning to end. No new themes came to me, but I worked on the thematic material already in my mind, and tried to conceive the composition as a whole. I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America—of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our blues, our metropolitan madness.”

At 25, Gershwin was already the toast of Broadway; his ambitions, however, extended into the concert hall. Though Gershwin claimed that his knowledge of music theory at this time could have fit on a three-cent postage stamp, the Rhapsody, his first classical piece, remains a landmark in music history. Rhapsody in Blue challenged many prevailing notions about classical music; in addition to the inspiration it took from jazz, its genesis was very collaborative. In keeping with the practice of Broadway composers, Gershwin wrote the piece in short-score form for two pianos (one representing the soloist and the other the band). It was then orchestrated by Ferde Grofé, who often made arrangements for Paul Whiteman’s unique ensemble. The moment for Rhapsody in Blue, the penultimate piece on the program, finally arrived after 21 other selections that chilly February day. Olin Downes, the esteemed music critic of The New York Times, related the scene in his review: “Then stepped upon the stage, sheepishly, a lank and dark young man—George Gershwin. […] the audience was stirred and many a hardened concertgoer excited with a sensation of a new talent finding its voice […] There was tumultuous applause for Mr. Gershwin’s composition.” Gershwin’s most famous work has rarely been heard in its original form since. As early as 1926, Grofé reorchestrated the Rhapsody for a small theater orchestra, but his version for full orchestra (created after Gershwin’s death) has become standard. Published in 2018, the new critical edition prepared by Ryan Raul Bañagale restores not only Grofé’s original jazz band orchestration, but also various cuts and alterations Gershwin made to the score in later years. This edition serves as the basis for these performances and is perhaps the closest we will come to what audiences heard that snowy afternoon in 1924. —Calvin Dotsey The Instruments: oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, 3 saxophone players (one doubling soprano, soprano and alto, one doubling soprano and baritone, one doubling soprano and tenor), 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, celesta, banjo, violins and solo double bass

InTUNE — January 2019 | 23

FEATURED PROGRAM

TOTALLY ’80S Friday Saturday Sunday

January 11, 2019 January 12, 2019 January 13, 2019

8:00pm 8:00pm 7:30pm

Jones Hall

Stuart Chafetz, conductor Nicole Parker, vocalist *Aaron Finley, vocalist *Houston Symphony debut

J. Tempest/R. Buckley G. Moroder-D. Harry/ S. Shoup G. Michael/Shoup Michael/Shoup B. Steinberg-T. Kelly/Shoup R. Page-S. George-J. Lang/ Shoup Vangelis/Mancini R. Parker Jr./B. Holcombe A. Silvestri H. Lewis-J. Colla-C. Hayes/ Shoup

The Final Countdown Call Me from American Gigolo Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go Careless Whisper True Colors Broken Wings Theme from Chariots of Fire Theme from Ghostbusters Suite from Back to the Future The Power of Love from Back to the Future

I N T E R M I S S I O N

R. Orzabal-C. HughesI. Stanley/Shoup P. Collins/Shoup M. Jackson/P. Medina Steinberg-Kelly/Shoup G. Lee-A. LifesonN. Peart/T. Berens B. Joel/L. Moore A. Call-J. Keller/Shoup D. Warren/Shoup R. Palmer/Shoup Lewis-Colla/Shoup

24 | Houston Symphony

Everbody Wants to Rule the World In the Air Tonight Smooth Criminal Alone The Spirit of Radio And So It Goes 867-5309/Jenny If I Could Turn Back Time Addicted to Love The Heart of Rock and Roll

Did you know? • Ray Parker Jr. wrote the theme from Ghostbusters in only two-and-ahalf days due to a tight deadline. • 867-5309 was actually a real telephone number. After the song came out, most people with that number changed it on account of a flood of prank calls asking for “Jenny.” • “Smooth Criminal” went through several iterations before reaching its final form. Earlier versions of this timeless hit originally were called “Chicago 1945” and “Al Capone.” These versions never made it onto an album, and the song was reworked to the classic we all know and love today.

Totally ’80s | Program Biographies

Program BIOGRAPHIES These performances are generously supported in part by: Partner Lori and Scott Wulfe/Vinson & Elkins LLP

PAT JOHNSON

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation through a special gift celebrating the foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2015.

Stuart Chafetz | conductor Stuart Chafetz is the newly appointed principal pops conductor of the Columbus Symphony. A conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, Stuart is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent, and this season he is on the podium here and in Detroit, Milwaukee, Naples, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Vancouver. He enjoys a special relationship with The Phoenix Symphony where he leads multiple programs annually. Stuart has had the privilege to work with renowned artists, including Chris Botti, 2Cellos, Hanson, Rick Springfield, Michael Bolton, America, Little River Band, Brian McKnight, Roberta Flack, George Benson, Richard Chamberlain, The Chieftains, Jennifer Holliday, John Denver, Marvin Hamlisch, Thomas Hampson, Wynonna Judd, Jim Nabors, Randy Newman, Jon Kimura Parker and Bernadette Peters.

As a celebrated member of Houston’s performing arts community for more than 100 years, the Houston Symphony is proud to partner with another local institution that has been giving back to the city for more than a century: Vinson & Elkins LLP, an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers in 14 offices worldwide. V&E’s lawyers and staff truly believe in the value of giving back to the communities they serve, and are especially proud of their long tradition of supporting the arts here in their hometown. For information about the firm, please visit www.velaw.com. The Houston Symphony thanks V&E for the firm’s continued support.

He previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony (now Hawaii Symphony) for 20 years, Stuart also conducted the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre. During that time, Stuart led numerous concerts with the Maui Pops Orchestra. He has led numerous Spring Ballet productions at the worldrenowned Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. In the summers, Stuart spends his time at the Chautauqua Institution, where he conducts the annual Fourth of July and Opera Pops concerts with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, in addition to his role as that orchestra’s timpanist. When not on the podium, Stuart Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco with his wife, Ann Krinitsky. Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Cincinnati – CollegeConservatory of Music and a master’s from the Eastman School of Music.

InTUNE — January 2019 | 25

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

Nicole Parker | vocalist

Aaron Finley | vocalist

Nicole Parker is best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked. Since playing the green witch in the Broadway company, she has reprised the role for the show’s First National Tour. Her other Broadway credits include Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and The People in the Picture with Donna Murphy. Regionally, she played Juliet in The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, for which she received a Jeff Award nomination. She also appeared as Rosemary in How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying at Reprise Theater Company and Pamina in The Magic Flute at the Falcon Theater.

Born and raised in Montana, Aaron C. Finley’s professional acting and singing career has spanned from coast to coast. Educated at Pacific Lutheran University near Seattle, he quickly became a top-tier talent in the Pacific Northwest, appearing in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus/Judas), Rent (Roger), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Hairspray (Link Larkin), It Shoulda Been You (Greg Madison) and The Gypsy King (Drago). Aaron made his Broadway debut in 2013, starring as Drew Boley in Rock of Ages. In 2015, he took over the role of leading man Brian Howard in It Shoulda Been You, directed by David Hyde Pierce. The next year, he assumed the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Recently, he has been celebrating the music of the 1980s performing in symphony pops concerts across North America.

For six years, Nicole was a cast member and contributing writer on Fox's MADtv; and for two years, she performed and wrote for Boom Chicago, an all-American sketch and improvisation theater in Amsterdam. Her film credits include Funny People, directed by Judd Apatow, as well as the short films Weathered and Sitting Babies. She was a featured guest star on the mock game show Bunk on IFC and on ABC’s Trust Us with Your Life, an improvisation show from the creators of Whose Line Is It Anyway? She is a founding member of Waterwell, a non-profit theater company in New York.

Aaron loves mountain biking, skiing, golf, basketball and all things outdoors. He and his family currently live in Montclair, NJ.

Making Lives Better Through Print

Nicole is a frequent soloist with orchestras around the country. In addition to these concerts, other recent and upcoming performances include Peter Nero and the Philly Pops; The Phoenix Symphony; Utah Symphony and Opera; Colorado, Santa Rosa, Pueblo, North Carolina, San Antonio and Idaho State-Civic Symphonies; Greensboro, Kalamazoo, Charleston and Orlando Symphony Orchestras; Sarasota Orchestra; Dayton and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestras; and Fresno Philharmonic.

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26 | Houston Symphony

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FEATURED PROGRAM

BOYZ II MEN WITH THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY Friday

January 18, 2019

7:30pm

Jones Hall

Chelsea Tipton II, conductor *Boyz II Men, vocal ensemble *Houston Symphony debut

TONIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROGRAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE. THERE WILL BE ONE INTERMISSION.

28 | Houston Symphony

Boyz II Men with the Houston Symphony | Program Biographies

Program BIOGRAPHIES Chelsea Tipton II | conductor Lauded by The New York Times for “leading sweeping and vibrant performances” of Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris as a last-minute replacement for Robert Spano to conduct an all-Gershwin season finale with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, American conductor Chelsea Tipton II has won over audiences and critics alike with his vibrant musicality, accessibility, versatility and extraordinary commitment to arts education. Chelsea is celebrating his 10th season as music director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas in Beaumont. In addition to his work there, he is the principal pops conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra recognized him with its first annual Aspire Award in October 2013. This award identifies accomplished professional African American or Latino musicians who demonstrate a tremendous commitment to community and inclusiveness. Beaumont’s Neches River Festival honored Chelsea with the Citizen of the Year in April 2014; and in October 2014, he received Capital One Bank’s Community Spotlight Award for community leadership. As a sought-after guest conductor, Chelsea has appeared with major orchestras here and in Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Nashville, Memphis, San Antonio, New Jersey, Brooklyn, Louisiana, Rochester and Boston. In 2011, he was part of an extensive European tour with pop artist Sting that took him to 15 countries, working with 19 European orchestras, including the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana and the Dohnányi Symphony Orchestra. Chelsea Tipton made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Sphinx Competition Showcase gala concert culminating a 10-city tour with the Sphinx Orchestra.

Boyz II Men | vocal ensemble Boyz II Men remains one of the most truly iconic R&B groups in music history. The trio redefined popular R&B and continues to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across generations. Four Grammy Awards® are just the tip of the iceberg: throughout its 27-year career, Boyz II Men has also won a whopping nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, three Billboard Awards, a 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as a Casino Entertainment Award for an acclaimed residency at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, which has been ongoing since 2013. The trio holds the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group of all time, having sold more than 64 million albums worldwide. In a tribute to the classic harmony-driven sound that inspired the trio, Boyz II Men released its newest album last fall, Under the Streetlight, featuring a personal selection of timeless songs plus one original song—all with a Boyz II Men twist.

InTUNE — January 2019 | 29

FEATURED PROGRAM

RAVEL’S LA VALSE Thursday Saturday Sunday

January 24, 2019 January 26, 2019 January 27, 2019

8:00pm 8:00pm 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Baiba Skride, violin

Ives Korngold

Symphony No. 4 III Fugue: Andante moderato

ca. 8

Violin Concerto in D major, Opus 35 I Moderato nobile II Romance: Andante III Finale: Allegro assai vivace

ca. 24

I N T E R M I S S I O N

Stravinsky

Ravel

Symphony in Three Movements I Allegro II Andante—Interlude III Con moto

ca. 20

La valse

ca. 13

30 | Houston Symphony

Did you know? • Ravel originally composed La valse as a ballet score for Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets russes. Unfortunately, Diaghilev rejected it, saying “it’s not a ballet…It’s the portrait of a ballet…” In 1951, the choreographer George Balanchine proved Diaghilev wrong by using La valse in his classic ballet of the same name.

Ravel's La valse | Program Biographies

Program BIOGRAPHIES FROST BANK GOLD CLASSICS

These performances are generously supported in part by:

Andrés Orozco-Estrada | conductor

Please see Andrés Orozco-Estrada's biography on page 6.

Supporter James and Dale Brannon

These concerts are part of the Margaret Alkek Williams Sound + Vision Series, which is also supported by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Endowed Fund for Creative Initiatives.

ENGIE is a global energy player and an expert operator in the three businesses of electricity, natural gas and energy services. The ENGIE Group develops its businesses around a model based on responsible growth to take on the major challenges of energy’s transition to a low-carbon economy: access to sustainable energy, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, security of supply and the rational use of resources. The Group is developing high-performance, innovative solutions for personal customers, urban authorities and companies by applying its expertise in four key sectors: renewables, energy efficiency, liquefied natural gas and digital technologies.

MARCO BORGGREVE

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation through a special gift celebrating the foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2015.

Baiba Skride | violin Baiba Skride is consistently invited to prestigious orchestras throughout the world for her refreshing interpretations, sensitivity and delight in music. She has collaborated with many renowned conductors, including Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Christoph Eschenbach, Marin Alsop, Ed Gardner, Susanna Mälkki, Andris Nelsons, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Vasily Petrenko, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Tugan Sokhiev, John Storgårds, Osmo Vänskä and Simone Young. Highlights of this season include her return to the Munich Philharmonic, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony, Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as this orchestra and others in Baltimore, Toronto, Vancouver and Utah. In the spring, she performs the world première of Sebastian Currier’s violin concerto and tours with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra to Spain, Japan and China. Baiba also celebrates the Spanish premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia. Recently, she returned to the NHK Symphony Orchestra with JukkaPekka Saraste and performed Bernstein’s Serenade at the Tanglewood Music Festival with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Nelsons before embarking on a European tour with the same partners. An internationally sought-after chamber musician, Baiba joins her Skride Quartet (with Lauma Skride, Harriet Krijgh and Lise Berthaud) this season in Europe and on a U.S. tour in March. She also performs with Daniel Müller-Schott and Xaiver de Maistre in Innsbruck, Budapest, Hanover and Düsseldorf. Baiba adds to her prolific discography this season with a recording featuring Bernstein, Korngold and Rózsa with the Gothenburg Symphony and Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Rouvali; a recording of Bartók with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne and Eivind Aadland; and the debut recording of the Skride Quartet, all on the Orfeo label. Baiba was born into a musical Latvian family in Riga, where she began her studies. After transferring to the Rostock University of Music and Theatre, she studied with Professor Munteanu. In 2001, she won first prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition. She plays the Yfrah Neaman Stradivarius, loaned to her by the Neaman family through the Beare’s International Violin Society.

InTUNE — January 2019 | 31

Program NOTES Symphony No. 4, III. Fugue Charles Ives (1874-1954)

Ives’ Fourth Symphony is his crowning achievement. Begun around 1910, Ives labored over it for many years, refining and altering the score well into the 1920s. A program note from an early, partial performance of the symphony explains that the first movement poses “the searching questions of What? and Why? which the spirit of man asks of life,” and “The three succeeding movements are the diverse answers in which existence replies.” The second movement parodies false spirituality with a tone poem about a luxury express train that purportedly takes paying passengers to heaven, but in fact goes straight to hell. The third movement is “an expression of the reaction of life into formalism and ritualism”—generally interpreted as a depiction of organized religion. Reworked from a piece he had written while a college student at Yale, it takes the form of a fugue, a learned type of composition from the baroque era that weaves together independent melody lines into a harmonious whole. The fugue begins with a main idea based on a traditional missionary hymn, “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains,” which implores Christians to convert non-believers. The music has a meditative inwardness that builds to an expressive climax featuring lush, divisi strings. In a quiet and peaceful coda, the trombone quotes a fragment of the hymn “Joy to the World,” specifically the refrain: “Let heaven and nature sing.” The Instruments: flute, clarinet, horn, trombone, timpani, organ and strings

Violin Concerto in D major, Opus 35 Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)

Born to Austrian-Jewish parents, Korngold had begun his career as a Mozart-like child prodigy in Vienna, but escaped to America after Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s. In Hollywood, he became a pioneer of film music, but always worried the fate of his film scores was inevitably tied to the success of the films in which they appeared—some of them were hits, while others flopped at the box office. In his Violin Concerto, his most popular post-war concert work, he gave new life to melodies that appeared in films that are now known only by the most dedicated movie buffs. The soloist opens the concerto with the main theme from Another Dawn, a 1937 romantic melodrama. Though the film is obscure today, the melody (associated with both love and flight—the hero is a pilot) proved one of Korngold’s best. A spritely transition full of virtuoso passagework for the soloist leads to a second theme, which has an introspective, even 32 | Houston Symphony

melancholy character. This melody was adapted from the 1939 film Juarez, an historical epic about the ill-fated attempt of the French to establish an empire in Mexico during the 1860s. The theme is associated with the suffering Empress Carlotta (played by Bette Davis, an actress whom Korngold often found inspiring). These two main themes are developed and reprised in a movement notable for its exquisite lyricism. The slow second movement takes its main theme from Korngold’s Oscar-winning score to Anthony Adverse (1936), an adaptation of a bestselling historical novel. In the film, the theme occurs in full twice: once when the hero (Fredric March) and his childhood sweetheart (Olivia de Havilland) are riding in a carriage and discussing their hopes for a future together, and again when they are reunited years later. After a brief, atmospheric introduction, the soloist begins the Anthony Adverse theme. A contrasting middle section then features fragmentary, chromatic motifs and mysterious harmonies that lead to a return of the Anthony Adverse melody. The last movement is based on the main theme from The Prince and the Pauper, a 1937 adaptation of Mark Twain’s fable. In the film, the theme is mainly associated with the titular characters and the hand of fate that brings them together. This playful tune serves as the basis for a brilliant theme and variations full of virtuoso passages for the soloist. It concludes with a thrilling—perhaps even Hollywood-worthy— happy ending. The Instruments: 2 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), 2 oboes (1 doubling English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons (1 doubling contrabassoon), 4 horns, 2 trumpets, trombone, timpani, percussion, harp, celesta, and strings

Symphony in Three Movements

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (1882-1971) On May 21, 1940, Igor Stravinsky and his second wife, Vera, ended their honeymoon cruise at Galveston. What should have been a happy trip had been overshadowed by a continuous stream of news from Europe as the Nazis began their conquest of France, Stravinsky’s adopted home after the Russian Revolution. The forces of history would now send him into exile again. From Houston, the couple took a train to Los Angeles, the city that would become their new home. Perhaps the most significant work Stravinsky composed during the war is his Symphony in Three Movements. In an interview with his disciple Robert Craft, he explained that “each episode in the symphony is linked in my imagination with a concrete impression, very often cinematographic in origin, of the war.” The first movement was inspired by “a documentary of scorched-earth tactics in China.” It begins

Ravel's La valse | Program Notes

with brash, upward-surging figures that soon give way to nervous, pulsating music. The piano and strings then introduce the slow-quick-quick rhythms of the rhumba, which Stravinsky associated “with the movements of war machines.” After a contrasting middle section featuring delicate neoclassical counterpoint, the rhumba and the brash opening music return. The second movement was derived from abandoned sketches Stravinsky made in 1943 for a film adaptation of Franz Werfel’s novel The Song of Bernadette, which recounts the story of a country girl who sees visions of the Virgin Mary. The opening has a gentle quality that resonates with the film’s pastoral setting. This movement contains many enchanting passages for the harp and has an A-B-A structure; the mysterious, otherworldly central section begins with a septet of solo violins, violas and harp. The finale begins without pause and “contains the genesis of a war plot, though I recognized it as such only after completing the composition,” Stravinsky said. “The beginning of that movement is partly […] a musical reaction to the newsreels and documentaries that I had seen […]” Amid this marching music, the rhumba rhythm returns, and after several developmental episodes, the music arrives at a fugue. “The exposition of the fugue and the end of the Symphony are associated in my plot with the rise of the Allies,” Stravinsky said, and the final chord “tokens my extra exuberance in the allied triumph.” The Instruments: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 3 clarinets (1 doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, piano and strings

La valse

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

However, he would not begin serious work on the piece until 1919. After World War I, the waltz was increasingly seen as a relic of a bygone era—an era the war had destroyed. Many heard La valse not merely as a brilliant development of waltzmotifs, but as the distortion and disintegration of the waltz itself: a symbol of a decadent civilization out of control, tearing itself apart. Even Ravel’s student Manuel Rosenthal discerned in it “a kind of anguish, a very dramatic feeling of death.” In 1922, the music historian Maurice Emmanuel asked Ravel about the meaning of the piece. Ravel responded: “I believe this work needs to be illuminated by footlights, as it has elicited so much strange commentary. While some discover an attempt at parody, indeed caricature, others categorically see a tragic allusion in it—the end of the Second Empire, the situation in Vienna after the war, etc.— This dance may seem tragic, like any other emotion—voluptuousness, joy—pushed to the extreme. But one should only see what the music expresses: an ascending progression of sonority […]” In an interview with a Dutch newspaper that same year, he went even further: “In the course of La valse, I did not envision a dance of death […] It is a dancing, whirling, almost hallucinatory ecstasy, an increasingly passionate and exhausting whirlwind of dancers, who are overcome and exhilarated by nothing but ‘the waltz.’” Of course, a work of art takes on a life of its own once its creator releases it into the world, and artists seldom have the final word in what their works mean. Whatever Ravel intended, darker interpretations of La valse have proved remarkably persistent over what is now nearly a century of the piece’s existence. —Calvin Dotsey The Instruments: 3 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (1 doubling English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, 2 harps and strings

Music is a famously subjective art form; different listeners often find different meanings in exactly the same sounds. Even so, it is rare that a piece of music inspires reactions totally opposite to its composer’s intentions. Perhaps no work illustrates music’s potential for paradox better than Ravel’s La valse. Ravel first conceived of La valse in 1906 as a tribute to the Viennese waltzes of Johann Strauss II. Ravel himself described his vision of the opening: “Through whirling clouds, waltzing couples may be faintly distinguished. The clouds gradually scatter: one sees an immense hall peopled with a whirling crowd. The scene is gradually illuminated. The light of the chandeliers bursts forth at the fortissimo. An imperial court, about 1855.” InTUNE — January 2019 | 33

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BEGINNING IN THE 2019-20 SEASON

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE • $25,000+ This distinguished group of supporters receives customized benefits and recognition tailored to their annual support. They play a crucial role in the Symphony’s success, designating their support to concerts, special projects, educational activities or as unrestricted gifts.

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Annual support of $10,000 or more gives you the opportunity to sponsor a Houston Symphony concert, and annual support of $15,000 or more gives you the choice of sponsoring a Houston Symphony musician or Houston Symphony concert. Sponsors are recognized for their generous giving and support of the Symphony. FRIENDS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY • $100-$4,999 Grand Patron: $2,500-$4,999 • Season access to the Patron Donor Lounge • One-time pass to the Green Room • One-time valet parking pass • All benefits at the Patron level Patron: $1,500-$2,499 • Invitation to an additional private rehearsal (three total) • Additional one-time pass to the Patron Donor Lounge (three total) • Invitation to a Houston Symphony “Insider Event” • All benefits at the Director level Director: $1,000-$1,499 • Invitation to a “Behind-the-Scenes” experience • Early bird ticket email notification (new) • One-time pass to the Patron Donor Lounge • All benefits at the Principal level

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QUESTIONS ABOUT LEADERSHIP CIRCLE OR CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE? PLEASE CONTACT: Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at molly.simpson@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8526 QUESTIONS ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY? PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Arlen, Associate Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at michael.arlen@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8529 34 | Houston Symphony

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The Houston Symphony gratefully acknowledges those who support our artistic, educational and community engagement programs through their generosity to our Annual Fund and our Special Events. For more information, please contact: Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526

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continued  InTUNE — January 2019 | 35

Conductor’s Circle



Ms. Farida Abjani Anne Morgan Barrett Danielle & Josh Batchelor James M. Bell Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Nancy & Walter Bratic Terry Ann Brown Justice Brett & Erin Busby Jane & Robert Cizik Brad & Joan Corson

Conductor’s Circle

Platinum Baton



Gold Baton



$10,000-$14,999



Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice Dr. Alex Dell J.R. & Aline Deming Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Jennifer & Steve Dolman Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Firestone Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Betsy Garlinger Evan B. Glick Mr. Robert M. Griswold Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Susan & Dick Hansen Jacek & Marzena Jaminski Dr. Rita Justice

Silver Baton

Ann & Jonathan Ayre Mrs. Jennifer Chang & Mr. Aaron J. Thomas Andrew Davis & Corey Tu The Ensell Family Maureen Y. Higdon Gwen & Dan Kellogg

Conductor’s Circle

$15,000-$24,999

Viviana & David Denechaud Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mr. & Mrs. David Hatcher Mrs. James E. Hooks Rebecca & Bobby Jee Michelle & Jack Matzer Mr. Gary Mercer Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Gloria & Joe Pryzant

Frances & Ira Anderson Edward H. Andrews III Nina Andrews & David Karohl Dr. Angela R. Apollo Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Bahr John Barlow Mr. & Dr. Karl-Heinz Becker Anne & George Boss James & Dale Brannon Lilia D. Khakimova & C. Robert Bunch Cheryl & Sam Byington Mary Kathryn Campion, PhD Virginia A. Clark Coneway Family Foundation Roger & Debby Cutler

Conductor’s Circle



Bronze Baton

Jana & Scotty Arnoldy Dr. Saul & Ursula Balagura Mr. Jim Barton Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Naomi Black Ruth W. Brodsky Mr. & Mrs. David A. Boudreau Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Marilyn Caplovitz Ann M. Cavanaugh Dr. Robert N. Chanon Donna & Max Chapman Dr. & Mrs. Samuel B. Condic Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley Mr. & Mrs. Larry Corbin Lois & David Coyle Dr. Scott Cutler Vicky Dominguez Bob & Mary Doyle Ms. Joan Duff Connie & Byron Dyer Mr. William P. Elbel & Ms. Mary J. Schroeder Mr. Stephen Elison Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Mrs. William Estrada Jo Lynn & Gregg Falgout / Island Operating Company Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Fant

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Vicki West Ms. Beth Wolff Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Scott & Lori Wulfe Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler Anonymous (1)

Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mrs. Hazel Leighten Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Marilyn G. Lummis John & Regina Mangum Jay & Shirley Marks Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Billy & Christie McCartney Gene* & Betty McDavid Martha & Marvin McMurrey Rita & Paul Morico Bobbie Newman Scott & Judy Nyquist Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Katie & Bob Orr / Oliver Wyman Mr. & Mrs. Anthony G. Petrello Kathryn & Richard Rabinow Radoff Family

Lila Rauch Mr. & Mrs. T.R. Reckling III Allyn & Jill Risley Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Mr. & Mrs. Joel I. Shannon Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Tad & Suzanne Smith Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob, Laredo Construction, Inc. Courtney & Bill Toomey Ms. Stephanie Tsuru Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Stephen & Kristine Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Tony Williford Nina & Michael Zilkha Anonymous (3)

Susan & Edward Osterberg Mrs. Gloria Pepper & Dr. Bernard Katz Jean & Allan Quiat Douglas & Alicia Rodenberger Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Linda & Jerry Rubenstein

Donna Scott & Mitch Glassman Mr. & Mrs. Rufus S. Scott Lorraine & Ed Wulfe Anonymous (2)

Barbara J. Manering Mrs. Carolyn & Dr. Michael Mann Ms. B. Lynn Mathre & Mr. Stewart O’Dell Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGuire Mr. & Mrs. William B. McNamara Alice R. McPherson, M.D. Dr. Stewart Morris Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Moynier Ms. Leslie Nossaman Courtney & Jose Obregon Rochelle & Sheldon Oster Katherine & Jonathan Palmer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pastorek Kusum & K. Cody Patel Mr. & Mrs. Raul Pavon Michael P. & Shirley Pearson Mr. David Peavy & Mr. Stephen McCauley Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Mr. Thomas C. Platt Susan & King Pouw Tim & Katherine Pownell Roland & Linda Pringle Mrs. Dana Puddy Darla & Chip Purchase Vicky & Michael Richker Ed & Janet Rinehart Mr. & Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr.

Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Carole & Barry Samuels Susan D. & Fayez Sarofim Mrs. Richard P. Schissler Jr. Mr. & Ms. Steven Sherman Ms. Leslie Siller Mr. David Stanard & Ms. Beth Freeman Drs. Ishwarla & Vivek Subbiah Nanako & Dale Tingleaf Pamalah & Stephen Tipps Ann Trammell Shirley & Joel Wahlberg Ms. Joann E. Welton Mrs. Nelda Wilkomirski Ms. Barbara Williams Doug & Kay Wilson Cyvia & Melvyn* Wolff Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Woodell Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish Sally & Denney Wright Edith & Robert Zinn Erla & Harry Zuber Anonymous (2)

$7,500-$9,999



Mary Louis Kister Terry & Kandee McGill Dr. Robert M. Mihalo Richard & Juliet Moynihan Bobbie Nau Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Tim Ong & Michael Baugh 

Ken* & Carol Lee Robertson Hugh & Ann Roff Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Michael J. Shawiak Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Mr. & Mrs. Alan Stein Drs. Carol & Michael Stelling Susan & Andrew Truscott Flor & Arturo Vivar Dede & Connie Weil



$5,000-$7,499

Aubrey & Sylvia Farb Mr. & Mrs. Matt Farina Ms. Carolyn Faulk Ms. Ursula H. Felmet Jerry E.* & Nanette B. Finger Mrs. Aggie L. Foster Mr. Shane T. Frank Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark Mrs. Elizabeth B. Frost Dr. Nan Garrett Michael B. George Wm. David George, Ph.D. Nancy D. Giles Mr. & Mrs. Eric J. Gongre Bill Grieves Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. James & Renee Hennessy Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog Ann & Joe Hightower Stephen Jeu & Susanna Calvo Josephine & Phil John Beverly Johnson Stacy & Jason Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John F. Joity Debbie & Frank Jones Dr. & Mrs. Wasim Khan Mr. William L. Kopp Mr. & Mrs. John P. Kotts Sue Ann Lurcott

*Deceased

The Houston Symphony thanks the almost 4,000 donors who supported the Houston Symphony Annual Fund over the past year. To note any errors or omissions, please contact Michael Arlen, Associate Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at 713.337.8529. 36 | Houston Symphony

Young Associates COUNCIL The Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council is a philanthropic membership group for young professionals, music aficionados and performing arts supporters interested in exploring symphonic music within Houston’s flourishing artistic landscape. YAC members are afforded exclusive opportunities to participate in musically focused events that take place not only in Jones Hall, but also in the city’s most sought-after venues, private homes and friendly neighborhood hangouts. From behind-the-scenes interactions with the musicians of the Houston Symphony to jaw-dropping private performances by world-class virtuosos, the Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council offers incomparable insight and accessibility to the music and musicians that are shaping the next era of orchestral music.

Young Associate Premium Farida Abjani Ann & Jonathan Ayre James M. Bell Eric Brueggeman Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Amanda & Adam Dinitz Vicky Dominguez

Young Associate



$2,500 or more

Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Jennifer & Joshua Gravenor Jarod Hogan Stacy & Jason Johnson Kiri & Jeffrey Katterhenry Shane Miller Sami & Jud Morrison Tim Ong & Michael Baugh

$1,500 - $2,499

Dr. Genevera Allen & Michael Weylandt Ahmed Al-Saffar – Oliver Wyman Michael Arlen Drs. Laura & William Black Drs. Tiffany & Desmond Bourgeois Sverre & Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Catherine Bratic & Mike Benza Mike Benza Divya & Chris Brown Sara Cain Helen Chen Crystal & Mike Cox Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson

Nina Delano & Wirt Blaffer Garreth DeVoe Jennifer & Steve Dolman Christine Falgout / Island Operating Company Emily & Matthew Fellows Mark Folkes & Christopher Johnston Carolyn & Patrick Gaidos Alexandra & Daniel Gottschalk Rebecca & Andrew Gould Jeff Graham Nicholas Gruy Claudio Gutierrez Jeff & Elaine Hiller Ashley & John Horstman

Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Kusum & K. Cody Patel Ahmed Saleh Becky Shaw Tony Shih – Norton Rose Fulbright Molly Simpson & Patrice Abivin Rebeca & Chad Spencer

Drs. Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Georgeta Teodorescu & Bob Simpson

Kurt Johnson & Colleen Matheu Gerrit Leeftink Kirby & David Lodholz Brian McCulloch & Jeremy Garcia Charyn McGinnis Ashley McPhail Emily & Joseph Morrel Porter Hedges LLP Aprill Nelson Courtney & Jose Obregon Rosemin Premji Brooke & Nathaniel Richards Alan Rios Kimberly & Evan Scheele Emily Schreiber

Liana & Andrew Schwaitzberg Nadhisha & Dilanka Seimon Dr. Paulina Sergot & Dr. Theo Shybut Justin & Caroline Simons Aerin & Quentin Smith Mark Stadnyk & Amanda Lassler Michelle Stair Dr. Shilpa Trivedi Candace & Brian Thomas Jovon Tyler Elise Wagner

The Young Associates Council is supported in part by BB&T. For more information, please contact: Tyler Murphy, Development Officer, Major Giving Groups, 713.337.8536

Chorus ENDOWMENT

DONORS

The Endowment for the Choral Music Fund supports numerous projects of the Houston Symphony Chorus, including the recent release of Haydn—The Creation, the first classical recording to feature the Chorus.

$500 or more 

$50-$499 

Mrs. Ramona Alms Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Armes Ms. Carolyn Belk Mr. David Black Nancy & Walter Bratic Mr. Brent Corwin Robert Lee Gomez George E. Howe David G. Nussman Mrs. Joan O’Conner Peter & Nina Peropoulos Roland & Linda Pringle Douglas & Alicia Rodenberger Carolyn Rogan Michael J. Shawiak Susan L. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Beth Weidler & Stephen James Anonymous (2)

Wade & Mert Adams Mr. Bob Alban A. Ann Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Joe Anzaldua Mr. & Mrs. Michael Avant Mr. Enrique Barrera III Mr. & Mrs. Justin Becker Ms. MaryAnn Begbie Mrs. Angela Bongat Seaman Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Bongers Mr. Jonathan Bordelon Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Bumpus Mr. & Mrs. J. Scott Campbell Ms. Nancy A. Christopherson Steve Dukes & Nobuhide Kobori Mr. Randy Eckman Ms. Julia FitzGerald Elizabeth & Ralph Frankowski Mary & Nicholas Gahr

Mr. Mike Gilbert Mr. & Mrs. William C. Goddard John Goode & Janwin OverstreetGoode Ms. Julia Hall Mrs. Susan Hall Mr. Daren Hamaker Ms. Phyllis Harris Mr. Richard Henry Mr. Larry R. Hitt Mr. Francisco J. Izaguirre Ms. Marjorie Kessler Ms. Karen King-Ellis Ms. Kat Kunz Karen Lach Mr. Brian Lassinger Cynthia Lavenda Mr. Jarrod Martin Mr. Daniel Mead McClure Ms. Melissa Medina Joan K. Mercado

Mr. & Mrs. Jim K. Moore Dr. James Murray Mr. Takashi Nishimura Mr. & Mrs. Bill Parker Ms. Allison Poe Natalia Rawle Linda A. Renner Mr. James Roman Mr. Frank Rynd Mr. Gary B. Scullin Mr. & Ms. Rick Stein Dr. Cecilia Sun Mr. & Mrs. William J. Thacker Lisa Rai Trewin Ms. Jeanna Villanueva Mary Voigt Ms. Heidi Walton Anonymous (3)

To make a gift, please contact: Michael Arlen, Associate Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at 713.337.8529. InTUNE — January 2019 | 37

Corporate, Foundation & Government PARTNERS The Houston Symphony is proud to recognize the leadership support of our corporate, foundation and government partners that allow the orchestra to reach new heights in musical performance, education and community engagement for Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast Region. For more information on becoming a foundation or government partner, please contact Mary Beth Mosley, Institutional Giving and Stewardship, at 713.337.8521 or marybeth.mosley@houstonsymphony.org. For more information on becoming a Houston Symphony corporate donor, please contact Leticia Konigsberg, Director, Corporate Relations, at 713.337.8522 or leticia.konigsberg@houstonsymphony.org.

CORPORATE PARTNERS Principal Corporate Guarantor  $250,000 and above *Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation Grand Guarantor  $150,000 and above BBVA Compass ConocoPhillips *Houston Public Media— News 88.7 FM; Channel 8 PBS *KTRK ABC-13 Phillips 66 *Rand Group, LLC *Oliver Wyman Guarantor  $100,000 and above Bank of America Chevron *Houston Methodist Medistar Corporation PaperCity *United Airlines Underwriter  $50,000 and above *Baker Botts L.L.P. *BB&T *Cameron Management ENGIE *The Events Company Exxon Mobil Corporation Frost Bank Houston Baptist University

(as of December 1, 2018)

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Kalsi Engineering Kirkland & Ellis LLP *The Lancaster Hotel Mann Eye Institute Occidental Petroleum Corporation Palmetto Partners Ltd./The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation Shell Oil Company Vinson & Elkins LLP Sponsor  $25,000 and above Bank of Texas *Bright Star EOG Resources Goldman, Sachs & Co. *Houston Chronicle *Houston First Corporation IberiaBank *Jackson and Company KPMG LLP Marine Foods Express, Ltd. McGuireWoods, LLP *Neiman Marcus Sidley Austin LLP *Silver Circle Audio SPIR STAR, Ltd. *Steinway & Sons The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Wells Fargo WoodRock & Co.

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS Aetna Foundation, Inc. Akzo Nobel Inc. Albemarle Corporation Allstate Insurance Company American International Group (AIG) Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Aon Foundation Bank of America BBVA Compass BHP Billiton British Petroleum Matching Fund Programs Caterpillar Matching Gifts Program Chevron Matching Gifts Program CITGO Petroleum Corporation ConocoPhillips Company 38 | Houston Symphony

Partner  $15,000 and above Accenture Anadarko Petroleum Corporation *City Kitchen *Glazier’s Distributors Gorman’s Uniform Service H-E-B Tournament of Champions Heart of Fashion Independent Bank Laredo Construction, Inc. Locke Lord LLP Lockton Companies of Houston Macy’s The Newfield Foundation USI Southwest Supporter  $10,000 and above *Abraham’s Oriental Rugs *Agua Hispanic Marketing CenterPoint Energy Emerson Northern Trust *Silver Eagle Distributors Star Furniture *Zenfilm

*Randalls Food Markets Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. *University of St. Thomas Wortham Insurance and Risk Management Patron  Gifts below $5,000 Adolph Locklar, Intellectual Property Law Firm Amazon Baker Hughes Bering’s Beth Wolff Realtors Burberry Dolce & Gabbana USA, Inc. Intertek Kinder Morgan Foundation *Quantum Bass Center SEI, Global Institutional Group Smith, Graham & Company Stewart Title Company TAM International, Inc. The Webster * Includes in-kind support

Benefactor  $5,000 and above Barclay’s Wealth and Investment Management Beck Redden LLP Louis Vuitton Nordstrom Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, L.L.P.

(as of December 1, 2018)

Dominion Energy Foundation Matching Gift Program Eli Lilly and Company Emerson Electric Company, Inc. ExxonMobil Matching Gift Program Fannie Mae Corporation FMC Corporation Freeport-McMorRan Copper & Gold Inc. General Electric General Mills, Inc. Goldman Sachs Halliburton Company Hewlett Packard IAC Interactive IBM Corporation ING Financial Services Intermec

Johnson & Johnson JPMorgan Chase & Co. LyondellBasell Industries Macy's, Inc. (Macy's and Bloomingdale's) Merrill Lynch Microsoft Corporation Motiva Enterprises, LLC Murphy Oil Corporation NACCO Industries Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. Northern Trust Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) Phillips 66 Plains All American Pipeline PricewaterhouseCoopers Prudential Financial Inc. Regions

Shell Oil Company Southwestern Energy Spectra Energy SPX Corporation Texas Instruments The Boeing Company Matching Program The Coca-Cola Company Thomson Reuters TransCanada Pipelines Limited Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc. Travelers Companies, Inc. UBS Union Pacific Walt Disney Company Westlake Chemical Williams Companies, Inc.

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Diamond Guarantor  $1,000,000 and above The Brown Foundation, Inc. Houston Symphony Endowment Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Premier Guarantor  $500,000 and above City of Houston and Theater District Improvement, Inc. The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The C. Howard Pieper Foundation Grand Guarantor  $150,000 and above City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board The Cullen Foundation Houston Endowment The Humphreys Foundation MD Anderson Foundation

Guarantor  $100,000 and above The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation The Elkins Foundation Underwriter  $50,000 and above The William Stamps Farish Fund The Fondren Foundation The Hearst Foundations Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment League of American Orchestras’ Futures Fund LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation / Palmetto Partners Ltd. The Powell Foundation The Robbins Foundation

Capital INVESTMENTS

(as of December 1, 2018)

Sponsor  $25,000 and above Beauchamp Foundation The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts Partner  $15,000 and above Edward H. Andrews Foundation Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation The Hood-Barrow Foundation Houston Symphony League Bay Area The Vivian L. Smith Foundation The Vaughn Foundation

Supporter  $10,000 and above The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation Petrello Family Foundation Radoff Family Foundation The Schissler Foundation Anonymous Benefactor  $5,000 and above Leon Jaworski Foundation The Scurlock Foundation Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation Strake Foundation Patron  Gifts below $5,000 The WC Handy Foundation The Lubrizol Foundation

The Houston Symphony thanks the generous donors who, since 2012, have made possible infrastructure additions to further enhance the sound and quality of our orchestral performances.

Beauchamp Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Sound Shell Ceiling Portativ organ Berlioz bells Adam’s German Timpani Orchestra synthesizer Adam’s vibraphone Small percussion and other instruments

Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Enhancements to Jones Hall Video System

The Fondren Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Sound Shell Ceiling

LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation Lyon & Healy Harp

Houston Symphony League Steinway Concert Grand Piano Instrument Petting Zoo Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Piccolo Timpani

Vicky & Michael Richker Family Adolfo Sayago, Orquestas Sybil F. Roos Rotary Trumpets Silver Circle Audio Enhancements to Jones Hall Recording Suite Beverly Johnson, Ralph Wyman and Jim Foti, and Thane & Nicole Wyman in memory of Winthrop Wyman Basset Horns and Rotary Trumpets Mr. & Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Conductor’s Podium

In-Kind DONORS 26 Daisies A Fare Extraordinaire Aker Imaging Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc. Aspire Executive Coaching, LLC Barbara Davis Gallery Bergner & Johnson Design Bering’s BKD, LLP Boat Ranch Burberry Cognetic Complete Eats Corinthian Houston Culinaire Carl R. Cunningham DLG Research & Marketing Solutions

(as of December 1, 2018)

Elaine Turner Designs Elegant Events by Michael Elliot Marketing Group Elsie Smith Design Festari Foster Quan LLP Gremillion Fine Art Gucci Hermann Park Conservancy Hilton Americas – Houston Hotel Granduca Hotel Icon Hotel ZaZa Memorial City Houston Astros Houston Grand Opera Houston Texans InterContinental Hotel Houston Jim Benton of Houston, LLC JOHANNUS Organs of Texas

John L. Worthan & Son, L.P. John Wright/Textprint JW Marriott Houston Downtown Karbach Brewing Co. Kuhl-Linscomb LG Entertainers Limb Design Martha Turner Properties Meera Buck & Associates Michael’s Cookie Jar Minuteman Press – Post Oak Momentum Jaguar Music & Arts New Leaf Publishing, Inc. Nos Caves Vin The Parson Family in memory of Dorothy Anne Parson Prime Systems Pro/Sound

Randalls Food Markets Rice University Richard Brown Orchestra Saint Arnold’s Brewery Saks Fifth Avenue Shecky’s Media, Inc. Singapore Airlines Staging Solutions Stewart Title Tony’s Tootsies Valobra Jewelry & Antiques Versace Village Greenway VISION Yahama

InTUNE — January 2019 | 39

Houston Symphony ENDOWMENT The Houston Symphony Endowment is a separate nonprofit organization that invests contributions to earn income for the benefit of the Houston Symphony Society. TRUSTEES Alexandra Pruner, President Gene Dewhurst

James Lee Jerry Simon

William J. Toomey II Fredric A. Weber

An endowed fund can be permanently established within the Houston Symphony Society through a direct contribution or via a planned gift such as a bequest. The fund can be designated for general purposes or specific interests. For more information, please contact: Patrick T. Quinn, Director, Planned Giving, 713.337.8532, patrick.quinn@houstonsymphony.org. GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS



to support operational and annual activities

Accenture (Andersen Consulting) Fund AIG American General Fund M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund Mr. & Mrs. Philip Bahr Fund Janice H. & Thomas D. Barrow Fund Mrs. Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Fund Jane & Robert Cizik Fund Mr. Lee A. Clark Fund Cooper Industries, Inc. Fund Gene & Linda Dewhurst Fund DuPont Corporation Fund Elkins Charitable Trust Agency Fund The Margaret & James A. Elkins Foundation Fund Virginia Lee Elverson Trust Fund Charles Engelhard Foundation Fund William Stamps Farish Fund Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin J. Fein Fund Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Fund Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Fund

DESIGNATED FUNDS



George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Fund Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Fund Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Fund Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Kaplan Fund Ann Kennedy & Geoffrey Walker Fund Martha Kleymeyer Fund Rochelle & Max Levit Fund Mr. E. W. Long Jr. Fund Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Fund Jay & Shirley Marks Fund Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Fund/ The Marks Charitable Foundation Marian & Speros Martel Foundation Fund Barbara & Pat McCelvey Fund The Menil Foundation Fund Monroe Mendelsohn Jr. Estate Sue A. Morrison & Children Fund National Endowment for the Arts Fund

to support annual performance activity

The Brown Foundation Guest Pianist Fund The Cullen Foundation Maestro’s Fund General & Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Memorial Concert Fund in memory of Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved parents of General Maurice Hirsch, and Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie Hirsch Bloch, beloved sisters of General Maurice Hirsch The Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment Fund

ENDOWED CHAIRS

to attract, retain and support world-class conductors, musicians, guest artists and executive leadership 

Janice & Thomas Barrow Chair Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello Roy & Lillie Cullen Chair Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Music Director Fondren Foundation Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster General Maurice Hirsch Chair Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Ellen E. Kelley Chair Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Max Levine Chair George P. & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Chair Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet Tassie & Constantine S. Nicandros Chair Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet Lucy Binyon Stude Chair Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe Winnie Safford Wallace Chair

ENDOWED FUNDS

to attract, retain and support world-class conductors and guest artists American General Fund Speros P. Martel Fund Stewart Orton Fund Dan Feigal Prosser Fund 

40 | Houston Symphony

Stewart Orton Fund Papadopoulos Fund Nancy & Robert Peiser Fund Rockwell Fund, Inc. Fund Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells Fund Estate of Mr. Walter W. Sapp Fund Mr. & Mrs. Matt K. Schatzman Fund The Schissler Foundation Fund Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Fund Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Fund Texas Eastern Fund Dorothy Barton Thomas Fund Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Fund Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Fund Dede & Connie Weil Fund The Wortham Foundation Fund Anonymous (5)

Fayez Sarofim Guest Violinist Fund through The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Wortham Foundation Classical Series Fund endowed in memory of Gus S. & Lyndall F. Wortham

 to support annual education and community engagement activities Margarett & Alice Brown Endowment Fund for Education Ronald C. Borschow Fund Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. Endowment Fund for Youth Programs Richard P. Garmany Fund for the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs Selma S. Neumann Fund Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund  to support new commissions and innovative artistic projects The Micajah S. Stude Special Production Fund

to support access and expand geographic reach The Alice & David C. Bintliff Messiah Concert Fund The Brown Foundation’s Miller Outdoor Theatre Fund in memory of Hanni & Stewart Orton Mach Family Audience Development Fund George P. & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Summer Concerts Fund 

 to support electronic media initiatives The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Fund for Creative Initiatives

to support the Ima Hogg Competition Nancy B. Willerson Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. 

to support piano performance Michael B. & Christine E. George Fund to support Piano Performance Concerts Mary R. Lewis Fund for Piano Performance C. Howard Pieper Foundation 

LEGACY COMMITMENTS

 through The Brown Foundation Challenge to support artistic excellence Janet F. Clark Gloria Goldblatt Pryzant Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Legacy Society Chair Wayne Brooks, principal viola Ms. Vicki West in honor of Hans Graf Anonymous (1)

LEADERSHIP GIFTS OF WORKING CAPITAL provided as part of the Campaign for the 20th Century, Campaign for Houston Symphony and My Houston, My Symphony—Campaign for a Sound Future Hewlett Packard Company Fund The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation Neva Watkins West Fund Gift in memory of Winifred Safford Wallace for the commission of new works



Legacy SOCIETY The Legacy Society honors those who have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans through bequests, life-income gifts or other deferred-giving arrangements. If you would like to learn more about ways to provide for the Houston Symphony Endowment in your estate plans, please contact Patrick T. Quinn, Director, Planned Giving, at 713.337.8532 or patrick.quinn@houstonsymphony.org. Farida Abjani Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Myra W. Barber Daniel B. Barnum George* & Betty Bashen Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Dorothy B. Black Kerry Levine Bollmann Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield James & S. Dale Brannon Zu Broadwater Joan K. Bruchas & H. Philip Cowdin Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Erin Brunner Eugene R. Bruns Cheryl & Sam Byington Sylvia J. Carroll Dr. Robert N. Chanon William J. Clayton & Margaret A. Hughes Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley The Honorable & Mrs. William Crassas Dr. Lida S. Dahm Leslie Barry Davidson Judge & Mrs. Harold DeMoss Jr. Susan Feickert Ginny Garrett Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Mr. Robert M. Griswold

Randolph Lee Groninger Claudio J. Gutierrez Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Mrs. Gloria Herman Marilyn & Robert M. Hermance Timothy Hogan & Elaine Anthony Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Dr. Edward J. & Mrs. Patti Hurwitz Dr. Kenneth Hyde Brian & Catherine James Barbara & Raymond Kalmans Dr. & Mrs. Ira Kaufman, M.D. John S. W. Kellett Ann Kennedy & Geoffrey Walker Dr. James E. & Betty W. Key Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mrs. Frances E. Leland Samuel J. Levine Mrs. Lucy Lewis E. W. Long Jr. Sandra Magers David Ray Malone & David J. Sloat Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Jay & Shirley Marks James G. Matthews Mr. & Mrs. John H. Matzer III Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Mary Ann & David McKeithan Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan

Dr. Tracey Samuels & Mr. Robert McNamara Mr. & Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Catherine Jane Merchant Dr. Georgette M. Michko Marilyn Ross Miles & Stephen Warren Miles Foundation Katherine Taylor Mize Richard & Juliet Moynihan Gretchen Ann Myers Patience Myers Mr. John N. Neighbors, in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Nelson Bobbie Newman John & Leslie Niemand Leslie Nossaman Dave G. Nussmann John Onstott Macky Osorio Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Edmund & Megan Pantuliano Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos Christine & Red Pastorek Peter & Nina Peropoulos Sara M. Peterson Darla Powell Phillips Geraldine Smith Priest Dana Puddy

Patrick T. Quinn Lila Rauch Ed & Janet Rinehart Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Evie Ronald Walter Ross Dr. & Mrs. Kazuo Shimada Lisa & Jerry Simon Tad & Suzanne Smith Sherry Snyder Marie Speziale Emily H. & David K. Terry Stephen G. Tipps Steve Tostengard, in memory of Ardyce Tostengard Jana Vander Lee Bill & Agnete Vaughan Dean B. Walker Stephen & Kristine Wallace David M. Wax* & Elaine Arden Cali Geoffrey Westergaard Nancy B. Willerson Jennifer R. Wittman Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Lorraine & Ed Wulfe David & Tara Wuthrich Katherine & Mark Yzaguirre Edith & Robert Zinn Anonymous (6)

Sidney Moran Sue A. Morrison & children in memory of Walter J. Morrison Mr. & Mrs. Marvin H. Mueller Drs. John & Dorothy Oehler Robert A. Peiser Gloria G. Pryzant Clive Runnells, in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells Mr. Charles K. Sanders Donna Scott Charles & Andrea Seay Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Michael J. Shawiak Jule* & Albert Smith Mr. & Mrs. Louis J. Snyder

Mr. Rex Spikes Frank Stanford Mike & Anita* Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Elba L. Villarreal Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Robert G. Weiner Vicki West in honor of Hans Graf Susan Gail Wood Jo Dee Wright Ellen A. Yarrell Anonymous (2)

CRESCENDO CIRCLE $100,000+ Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Priscilla R. Angly Janice Barrow James Barton James Bell Joe Brazzatti Terry Ann Brown Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Janet F. Clark Mr. William E. Colburn Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson Harrison R.T. Davis Andria N. Elkins Jean & Jack* Ellis The Aubrey & Sylvia Farb Family Eugene Fong

Mrs. Aggie L. Foster Michael B. George Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Bill Grieves Jacquelyn Harrison & Thomas Damgaard Dr. Rita Justice Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Joella & Steven P. Mach Bill & Karinne McCullough Betty & Gene* McDavid Dr. & Mrs.* Robert M. Mihalo Ione Moran

*Deceased

In MEMORIAM We honor the memory of those who in life included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their estate plans. Their thoughtfulness and generosity will continue to inspire and enrich lives for generations to come. Mr. Thomas D. Barrow George Bashen Paul M. Basinski W. P. Beard Ronald C. Borschow Mrs. H. Raymond Brannon Anthony Brigandi Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. Mrs. Albert V. Caselli Lee Allen Clark William J. & Patricia S. Cunningham Fredell Lack Eichhorn Jack Ellis Mrs. Robin A. Elverson Frank R. Eyler

Dr. & Mrs. Larry L. Fedder Helen Bess Fariss Foster Christine E. George Lila-Gene George Mr. & Mrs. Keith E. Gott John Wesley Graham Dorothy H. Grieves Mrs. Marcella Levine Harris Gen. & Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Miss Ima Hogg Burke & Octavia Holman David L. Hyde Dr. Blair Justice Mr. Max Levine Dr. Mary R. Lewis

Mrs. L. F. McCollum Gene McDavid Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. McKerley Doretha Melvin Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Mr. Ronald Mikita Robert Austin Moody Mrs. Janet Moynihan Arthur Newman Constantine S. Nicandros Hanni Orton Stewart Orton, Legacy Society co-founder Dr. Michael Papadopoulos Miss Louise Pearl Perkins

Mary Anne H. Phillips Mr. Howard Pieper Walter W. Sapp, Legacy Society co-founder J. Fred & Alma Laws Lunsford Schultz Ms. Jean R. Sides Lola Sinclair Blanche Stastny John K. & Fanny W. Stone Dorothy Barton Thomas Dr. Carlos Vallbona Mr. Harry C. Wiess Mrs. Edward Wilkerson Anonymous (1)

InTUNE — January 2019 | 41

Education & Community Engagement DONORS The Houston Symphony acknowledges those individuals, corporations and foundations that support our education and community engagement initiatives. Each year, these activities impact the lives of more than 97,000 children and students and provide access to our world-class orchestra for more than 150,000 Houstonians free of charge.

Principal Guarantor $250,000+



John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation

Guarantor $100,000+



BBVA Compass The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board Houston Endowment Houston Symphony Endowment Mr. John N. Neighbors

Underwriter $50,000+



Chevron The Elkins Foundation ENGIE Exxon Mobil Corporation The Hearst Foundations, Inc. League of American Orchestras’ Futures Fund Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo The John P. McGovern Foundation The Robert & Janice McNair Foundation Occidental Petroleum Corporation The Powell Foundation Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr./ The Robbins Foundation Shell Oil Company

Sponsor



$25,000+

Donor



$1,000+

Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III/ WoodRock & Co. Sterling-Turner Foundation Wells Fargo Partner  $15,000+ Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Ruth and Ted Bauer Family Foundation The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation H-E-B Tournament of Champions Macy’s Vivian L. Smith Foundation Mr. Jay Steinfeld & Mrs. Barbara Winthrop Texas Commission on the Arts Ellen A. Yarrell in memory of Virginia S. Anderson and in honor of Cora Sue Mach

Lilly & Thurmon Andress Diane & Harry Gendel Kinder Morgan Foundation Cora Sue & Harry Mach Karinne & Bill McCullough Tricia & Mark Rauch Hazel French Robertson Education & Community Residency Strake Foundation

Supporter

Margarett & Alice Brown Endowment Fund for Education Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund The Brown Foundation’s Miller Outdoor Theatre Fund in honor of Hanni & Stewart Orton The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. Endowment Fund for Youth Programs Richard P. Garmany Fund for Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Endowed Fund Selma S. Neumann Fund



$10,000+

CenterPoint Energy George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Trust Houston Symphony League Nancy & Robert Peiser TPG Capital

Benefactor



$5,000+

Houston Symphony League Bay Area Marathon Oil Corporation Nordstrom Randalls Food Markets

Support by Endowed Funds Education and Community programs are also supported by the following endowed funds, which are a part of the Houston Symphony Endowment:

Support for Symphony Scouts Cora Sue & Harry Mach in honor of Roger Daily’s 13 years of service as Director of the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programs

Support for the Community-Embedded Musicians Initiative The Community-Embedded Musicians Initiative is supported in part by a generous grant from the American Orchestras’ Futures Fund, a program of the League of American Orchestras made possible by funding from the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation. The Houston Symphony residency at Lewis Elementary is presented by BBVA Compass and the BBVA Compass Foundation. We are also thankful to HISD and these lead supporters of the CommunityEmbedded Musician program: Robert and Janice McNair Foundation Medistar National Endowment for the Arts Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation Nancy & Robert Peiser Mr. Jay Steinfeld & Mrs. Barbara Winthrop H-E-B Tournament of Champions

Donor SPOTLIGHT Dr. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi sponsor Eric Halen, the Houston Symphony’s Co-Concertmaster. The Kalsis have been members of the Symphony family for decades; Marie-Luise has attended the Symphony since 1963, and the Kalsis have been attending together since they met as students at the University of Houston.

42 | Houston Symphony

MUSICIAN SPONSORSHIPS Donors at the Conductor’s Circle Silver Baton level and above are provided the opportunity to be recognized as sponsoring a Houston Symphony Musician. For more information, please contact Michael Arlen, Associate Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at 713.337.8529 or michael.arlen@houstonsymphony.org. Janice Barrow Sophia Silivos, First Violin Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Fay Shapiro, Viola Gary & Marian Beauchamp Martha Chapman, Second Violin Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Sergei Galperin, First Violin Mrs. Zarine M. Boyce Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello Nancy & Walter Bratic Christopher Neal, First Violin Ralph Burch Robin Kesselman, Principal Double Bass Barbara J. Burger Andrew Pedersen, Double Bass Dougal & Cathy Cameron Brian Thomas, Horn Dr. M.K. Campion Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Louis-Marie Fardet, Cello Jane & Robert Cizik Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian George Pascal, Assistant Principal Viola

Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Kenneth J. Hyde Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Linda Goldstein, Viola Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet Rochelle & Max Levit Sergei Galperin, First Violin Cornelia & Meredith Long Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joan DerHovsepian, Associate Principal Viola Joella & Steven P. Mach Eric Larson, Double Bass Mrs. Carolyn & Dr. Michael Mann Ian Mayton, Horn Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion Jay & Shirley Marks Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Roger & Debby Cutler Tong Yan, First Violin

Michelle & Jack Matzer Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Mr. Richard Danforth Jeffrey Butler, Cello

Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice Colin Gatwood, Oboe

Barbara & Pat McCelvey Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Scott Ensell & Family Donald Howey, Double Bass Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein Ferenc Illenyi, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Christian Schubert, Clarinet Evan B. Glick Tong Yan, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello

Betty McDavid Linda A. Goldstein, Viola Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan William VerMeulen, Principal Horn Martha & Marvin McMurrey Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Dr. Robert M. Mihalo Brian Thomas, Horn

Bobbie Newman Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Scott & Judy Nyquist Sheldon Person, Viola Susan & Edward Osterberg MiHee Chung, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Nancy Goodearl, Horn Nancy & Robert Peiser Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe Dave & Alie Pruner Matthew Strauss, Percussion Gloria & Joe Pryzant Matthew Strauss, Percussion Ron & Demi Rand Myung Soon Lee, Cello Lila Rauch Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello Sybil F. Roos Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Anthony Kitai, Cello Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Phyllis Herdliska, Viola Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Laura & Michael Shannon Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon Donna & Tim Shen Tina Zhang, Second Violin

Mike Stude Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello Linda & Paul Thomas Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn Susan L. Thompson George Pascal, Assistant Principal Viola Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Bradley White, Associate Principal Trombone Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Daniel Strba, Viola Ms. Judith Vincent Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Flute Shirley & Joel Wahlberg Matthew Strauss, Percussion Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mark Griffith, Percussion Stephen & Kristine Wallace Allen Barnhill, Principal Trombone Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Megan Conley, Principal Harp Vicki West Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Steven & Nancy Williams MiHee Chung, First Violin Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Xiao Wong, Cello Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Jarita Ng, Viola Lorraine & Ed Wulfe Dave Kirk, Principal Tuba Nina & Michael Zilkha Kurt Johnson, First Violin

The Julia and Albert Smith Foundation Eric Arbiter, Associate Principal Bassoon Tad & Suzanne Smith Marina Brubaker, First Violin Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Wei Jiang, Viola

Rita & Paul Morico Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob, Laredo Construction, Inc. Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin

Carol & Michael Stamatedes Eric Larson, Double Bass InTUNE — January 2019 | 43

Meet Maki Kubota, cello Maki Kubota hails from Santa Monica, California. In middle school, he signed up to play violin in orchestra, but auditioned without knowing how to play. He deservedly got assigned to the cello instead. He began lessons a few years later at the Colburn School and went on to study at the Peabody Conservatory and Rice University. His principal teachers have included Alan Stepansky and Desmond Hoebig. Maki was appointed to the cello section of the Houston Symphony in 2017. He has also appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Dallas and Charleston Symphony Orchestras, and has collaborated with artists such as Jeremy Denk, Glenn Dicterow, Lynn Harrell, Randolph Kelly and Richard O’Neill. He recently toured Mediterranean Europe, Mexico and Central America performing on Holland America Line through its partnership with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In 2018, Maki traveled to Europe as part of the Houston Symphony’s tour; Colombia for its side-by-side performance with the Medellin Philharmonic as well as a faculty residency in Paipa with the Youth Philharmonic of Colombia; San Diego as a guest of La Jolla Summerfest; Santa Barbara as a guest of the Music Academy of the West; and Granada, Spain, to record for IBS Classical. He is regularly engaged as a chamber musician, teacher and recitalist, and maintains a private studio in Houston. Teaching is very important to you. What inspires you to teach? I find teaching to be more rewarding than performing! Let’s say I play for someone and do a good job. Hopefully I can make their day, and perhaps even inspire them for the week. But if I teach a young student to love Bach, to problem solve, to be a good person, and perhaps (God forbid) to be a music major in college, I like to think I can change the trajectory of his or her entire life, hopefully for the better. I can’t think of a more effective way of contributing to the world. What inspired you to become a musician? When I was about 5 years old, I was snooping through my parents’ belongings and came across a GameBoy, an archaic gaming console. I turned it on and was greeted by a string of bleeps and bloops coming from a tiny speaker: the theme music of Tetris. When I turned it off, I immediately became upset that the music had vanished. I switched the game back on and walked around with the speaker pressed against my ear for an hour until the batteries died. Something about the fleeting nature of the music gave me a profound desire to catch the notes and hold them in my hands so they could not disappear. This feeling has never left me. What hobbies and interests do you have outside of music?

Top: An overhead press with the cello!

Lately, I’ve been very interested in exploring the world of fine scotch. I also love to travel, and my profession has fortunately given me many travel opportunities. My other hobbies include weight lifting and squeezing my new puppy, Pancake.

Third: This is Pancake! This picture symbolizes her taking over my life.

44 | Houston Symphony

Second: The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with my girlfriend, Lucy.

Bottom: The obligatory Leaning Tower of Pisa photo.

Your Values. Your Influence. Your Legacy. Our Advice.

From left: Tom Williams, Donnie Roberts, Maureen Phillips, Leah Bennett, Shelitha Smodic, Allen Lewis, Susan Wedelich

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