InTUNE
Miller Outdoor Theatre: Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony
The Houston Symphony Magazine
ORCHESTRA ROSTER
Juraj Valčuha
Music Director
Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair
FIRST VIOLIN
Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster
Max Levine Chair
Vacant, Associate Concertmaster
Ellen E. Kelley Chair
Boson Mo, Assistant Concertmaster
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
Tianxu Liu+
SECOND VIOLIN
Vacant, Principal
Vacant, Associate Principal
Amy Semes
Annie Kuan-Yu Chen
Mihaela Frusina
Jing Zheng
Tianjie Lu
Anastasia Iglesias
Tina Zhang*
Yankı Karataş
Hannah Duncan
Alexandros Sakarellos
Samuel Park+
Teresa Wang+
VIOLA
Joan DerHovsepian, Principal
Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal
Samuel Pedersen, Assistant Principal
Paul Aguilar
Sheldon Person
Fay Shapiro
Keoni Bolding
Jimmy Cunningham
CELLO
Brinton Averil Smith, Principal
Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair
Christopher French, Associate Principal
Jane and Robert Cizik Chair
Anthony Kitai
Louis-Marie Fardet
Jeffrey Butler
Maki Kubota
Xiao Wong
Charles Seo
Jeremy Kreutz
COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIAN
Lindsey Baggett, Violin
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS
Ali Verderber
Hae-a Lee
DOUBLE BASS
Robin Kesselman, Principal
Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal
Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Conductor Laureate
Gonzalo Farias, Associate Conductor
Andrew Pedersen, Assistant Principal
Eric Larson
Burke Shaw
Donald Howey
Avery Weeks
Michael Zogaib+
FLUTE
Aralee Dorough, Principal
General Maurice Hirsch Chair
Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal
Judy Dines
Kathryn Ladner
PICCOLO
Kathryn Ladner
OBOE
Jonathan Fischer, Principal
Lucy Binyon Stude Chair
Anne Leek, Associate Principal
Colin Gatwood
Adam Dinitz
ENGLISH HORN
Adam Dinitz
Barbara and Pat McCelvey Chair
CLARINET
Mark Nuccio, Principal
Bobbie Nau Chair
Vacant, Associate Principal
Christian Schubert
Alexander Potiomkin
Ben Freimuth+
E-FLAT CLARINET
Vacant
Ben Freimuth+
BASS CLARINET
Alexander Potiomkin
BASSOON
Rian Craypo, Principal
Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal
Elise Wagner
Adam Trussell
CONTRABASSOON
Adam Trussell
STAGE PERSONNEL
Stefan Stout, Stage Manager
José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager
Nicholas DiFonzo, Head Video Engineer
Justin Herriford, Head Audio Engineer
Connor Morrow, Head Stage Technician
Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager
HORN
William VerMeulen, Principal
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan
Endowed Chair
Robert Johnson, Associate Principal
Nathan Cloeter, Assistant Principal/Utility
Brian Thomas*
Brian Mangrum
Ian Mayton
Barbara J. Burger Chair
Spencer Bay+
TRUMPET
Mark Hughes, Principal
George P. and Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Chair
John Parker, Associate Principal
Robert Walp, Assistant Principal
Richard Harris
TROMBONE
Nick Platoff, 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
Allegra Lilly, Principal
KEYBOARD
Vacant, Principal
LIBRARIAN
Luke Bryson, Principal
*on leave + contracted substitute
PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
2025-26 se a son
O p e n i n g We e ken d : Val č u h a
C on du c t s St r av in s k y ’s Fi r eb i r d
S e pt e m b e r 1 9, 2 0* & 2 1
Eschenbach Conducts
Mozart & Bruckner
S e pt e m b e r 2 7 & 28*
K i n g f o r a D ay : T h e M u s i c o f El v i s
O c t o b e r 3 , 4* & 5
J ea n -Yve s T h i b a u d e t +
T h e T h r e e - C o r n e r e d H a t
O c t o b e r 1 0, 11* & 12
G e r s hw i n & G r i m a u d :
J a z z M e e t s Symp ho ny
O c t o b e r 1 7, 1 8* & 19
Fr o m St a g e t o S c r e e n :
B r o a d way Me e t s H o l l y woo d
O c t o b e r 3 1 , N ove m b e r 1* & 2
Fri g h t f u l l y Fu n ! A H a l l owe e n
C o n c e r t f o r K i d s
N ove m b e r 1
Shall We Dance?
N ove m b e r 8 & 9*
S N o s f e r a t u: S i le n t Fil m
w i t h L i ve O r g a n
N ov e m b e r 1 6
J o u r n ey t o L i g h t : Va l č u h a
C on du c t s S h o s t a kov i c h 1 0
N ove m b e r 2 1 , 2 2 * & 2 3
Th a nk s g i v i n g We e ken d :
Tcha i kovs k y ’s P i an o
C o n c e r t o N o . 1
N ove m b e r 28 , 2 9* & 3 0
H and e l s M es si a h
S
S
D ec e m b e r 5 , 6* & 7
J oy f u l Fa n fa r e s ! H o l i d ay
B r a s s S p ec t ac u l a r
D ec e m b e r 6 & 7
Vo c t ave: It Feels Like C h r i s t m a s
D ec e m b e r 8
Ve r y M e r r y Po p s
D ec e m b e r 11 , 1 3* & 1 4
O h , W h at Fu n ! A H o l i d ay
C o n c e r t f o r K i d s
D ec e m b e r 1 3
Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernández presents: José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas
Dec e m b e r 15
S S Elf i n C on c e r t
D ec e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 & 2 1 B a n k o f A m e r i c a P
A N at K i n g C o l e N ew Ye a r
See our full year calendar for even more concerts! J a n u a r y 2 , 3* & 4
*Pe r f o r m a n c e li ve s t r ea m e d
SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Barbara J. Burger
President
John Rydman Chair
Barbara McCelvey President-Elect
Mike S. Stude Chair Emeritus
Paul Morico General Counsel
Jonathan Ayre Secretary
Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance
Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership
Carey Kirkpatrick Chair, Marketing & Communications
Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming
Barbara McCelvey Chair, Development
Sippi Khurana, M.D. Chair, Education & Community Engagement
GOVERNING DIRECTORS
Jonathan Ayre
Gary Beauchamp
Eric Brueggeman
Bill Bullock
Barbara J. Burger
Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D.
John Cassidy, M.D.
Janet F. Clark
Brad W. Corson
Lidiya Gold
Claudio Gutiérrez
Rick Jaramillo
David J. M. Key
Sippi Khurana, M.D.
Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events
Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning
John Rydman Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs
Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit
Janet F. Clark^ Immediate Past Chair
Steven P. Mach^ At-Large Member
Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member
Leslie Nossaman^ President, Houston Symphony League
James H. Lee^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment
Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair
Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative
Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative
Gary Ginstling^ Executive Director/CEO
Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
As of June 1, 2025
Carey Kirkpatrick
Cindy Levit
Isabel Stude Lummis
Cora Sue Mach **
Rodney Margolis**
Mary Lynn Marks
Elissa Martin
Barbara McCelvey
Paul R. Morico
Leslie Nossaman
Robert Orr
Chris Powers
John Rydman**
Brittany Sakowitz
Ed Schneider
Justin Stenberg
William J. Toomey II
Bobby Tudor **
Betty Tutor **
Jesse B. Tutor **
Gretchen Watkins
Robert Weiner
Margaret Alkek Williams **
Wei Jiang^ Musician Representative
Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative
Sherry Rodriguez^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio
EX-OFFICIO
Joan DerHovsepian
Gary Ginstling
Evan B. Glick
Mark Hughes
Wei Jiang
James H. Lee
Steven P. Mach
Mark Nuccio
Sherry Rodriguez
Juraj Valčuha
TRUSTEES
Christopher Armstrong
David J. Beck
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl
Nancy Shelton Bratic
Terry Ann Brown**
Ralph Burch
John T. Cater**
Robert Chanon
Heaven Chee
Michael H. Clark
Virginia Clark
Aoife Cunningham
Andrew Davis, Ph.D.
Denise Davis
Tracy Dieterich
Joan Duff
Connie Dyer
Kelli Cohen Fein
Jeffrey B. Firestone
Lindsay Buchanan Fisher
Eugene A. Fong
Aggie L. Foster
Julia Anderson Frankel
Carolyn Gaidos
Evan B. Glick
Andrew Gould
Lori Harrington
Jeff Hiller
Grace Ho
Gary L. Hollingsworth
John W. Hutchinson
Brian James
Dawn James
Matthew Kades
I. Ray Kirk, M.D.
David Krieger
Matthew Loden
Steven P. Mach
Michael Mann, M.D.
Nancy Martin
Jack Matzer
Jackie Wolens Mazow
Aprill Nelson
Tim Ong
PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY SOCIETY
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.
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.
FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES
Janet F. Clark
Edward Osterberg Jr.
Gloria G. Pryzant
Miwa Sakashita
Ted Sarosdy
Andrew Schwaitzberg
Helen Shaffer**
Becky Shaw
Robert B. Sloan, D.D., Theol.
Jim R. Smith
Miles O. Smith**
Quentin Smith
Tad Smith
Anthony Speier
Tina Raham Stewart
Mike S. Stude**
Nanako Tingleaf
Margaret Waisman, M.D.
Fredric A. Weber
Vicki West
Steven J. Williams
David J. Wuthrich
Ellen A. Yarrell
Robert M. Hermance
Gene McDavid
Janice H. Barrow
Barry C. Burkholder
Rodney H. Margolis
Jeffrey B. Early
Michael E. Shannon
Ed Wulfe
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
Robert Yekovich
EX-OFFICIO
Alejandro Gallardo
Reverend Ray Mackey, III
Frank F. Wilson IV
**Lifetime Trustee
*Deceased
Barbara McCelvey Fredric Weber
Jesse B. Tutor
Robert B. Tudor III
Robert A. Peiser
Steven P. Mach
Janet F. Clark
John Rydman
Jane Clark
Nancy Littlejohn
Donna Shen
Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg
Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein
Vicki West
Mrs. Jesse Tutor
Darlene Clark
Beth Wolff
Maureen Higdon
Fran Fawcett Peterson
Leslie Siller
Cheryl Byington
Mary Fusillo
Heidi Rockecharlie
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
LEADERSHIP GROUP
Gary Ginstling, Executive Director/CEO
Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
Elizabeth S. Condic, Chief Financial Officer
Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Renner, Chief Development Officer
Alex Soares, Chief Marketing Officer
DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Bhalla, Development Officer
Lauren Buchanan, Development Communications Manager
Alex Canales, Senior Development Ticket Concierge
Jessie De Arman, Development Associate, Gifts and Records
Timothy Dillow, Senior Director of Development
Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer
Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer
Kamra Kilmer, Development Gift Officer
Karyn Mason, Development Officer
Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving
Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate
Mayenne Minuit, Development Associate, Administration
Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager
Megan Mottu, Development Officer
Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving
Sherry Rodriguez, Corporate Relations Manager & Board Liaison
Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer
Lena Streetman, Manager, Research and Development Operations
Stacey Swift, Director, Special Events
Sarah Thompson, Donor Stewardship Manager
Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations
Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer
EDUCATION | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Olivia Allred, Education Manager
Allison Conlan, Senior Director, Education and Community Engagement
Austin Hinkle, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator
Cedric Mayfield, Project Manager, Evaluation
Jazmine Olwalia, Community Engagement Associate
Sheridan Richard, DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony Site Manager
Community-Embedded Musicians (CEM):
Lindsey Baggett, Lead CEM
Lucinda Chiu, CEM Teaching Artist
David Connor, CEM Teaching Artist
Stephen Hudson, CEM Education Specialist
Rainel Joubert, CEM Teaching Artist
Bianca Lozano, CEM Teaching Artist
Alexis Mitrushi, CEM Teaching Artist
FINANCE | ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR
José Arriaga, Systems Engineer
Henry Cantu, Finance Accountant
Kimberly Cegielski, Staff Accountant
Heather Fails, Database Administrator
Joel James, Director of Human Resources
Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting
Freddie Piegsa, Help Desk Technician
Morgana Rickard, Controller
Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant
Pam Romo, Office Manager/HR Coordinator
Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics
MARKETING | COMMUNICATIONS
Bryan Ayllon, Web Coordinator
Mark Bailes, Marketing Revenue Manager
Rachel Cheng, Marketing and External Relations Assistant
Bella Cutaia, Patron Services Senior Representative
Ruben Gandara, Patron Services Representative
Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing
Priya Kurup, Senior Associate, Group Sales
Caroline Lawson, Patron Services Representative
Lien Le, Patron Experience Coordinator
Yoo-Ell Lee, Graphics and Media Designer
Ciara Macaulay, Creative Director
Ashley Martinez, Patron Services Coordinator
Mariah Martinez, Email Marketing Coordinator
Casey Pearce, Graphic Design Manager
Aracely Quevedo, Patron Services Representative
Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications
Christian Sosa, Web Experience Director
Jonathan Townsend, Patron Services Representative
Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services
OPERATIONS | ARTISTIC
Stephanie Alla, Associate Director of Artistic Planning
Becky Brown, Associate Director, Orchestra Personnel
Michael Gorman, Director, Orchestra Personnel
Julia Hall, Interim Director, Chorus
Adrian Hernandez, Concert Media Production Manager
Hazel Landers, Chorus Library Intern
Hae-a Lee, Assistant Librarian
Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager
Elena Reid, Artistic Intern
José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager
Brad Sayles, Senior Recording Engineer
Claudia Schmitz, Artistic Coordinator and Assistant to the Music Director
Stefan Stout, Stage Manager
Nathan Trinkl, Artistic Assistant
Ali Verderber, Assistant Librarian
Meredith Williams, Director of Concert Operations
Rebecca Zabinski, Senior Director, Artistic Planning
ANNA LAPWOOD
Anna's program brings together different musical worlds! We’ll hear Tchaikovsky's 'Sleeping Beauty Waltz' next to an arrangement of Robbie Williams' 'Angels,' and iconic
by
“Imaginative, open-minded and a brilliant musician, the organist and conductor Anna Lapwood is the dream ambassador for classical music.”Gramophone
Nina Astin Winkler Charitable Trust
Rea Charitable Trust
Nina Heard Astin Charitable Trust Eugene Edge III Charitable Trust
Appelt Family Foundation
film scores
Hans Zimmer & John Williams alongside by Einaudi and Olivia Belli.
Featured Program
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE:
Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony
*Stephanie Childress, conductor
*Jordan Bak, viola
0:05 M. KOUYOUMDJIAN – Tagh of an Immigrant
0:22 STAMITZ – Viola Concerto in D major, Opus 1, No. 1
I. Allegro
II. Andante moderato
III. Rondeaux
INTERMISSION
0:40 MENDELSSOHN – Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Opus 56 (Scottish)
I. Andante con moto—Allegro un poco agitato—
II. Scherzo: Vivace non troppo—
III. Adagio—
IV. Allegro vivacissimo—Allegro maestoso assai
*Houston Symphony debut
About the Music
Saturday, July 19
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board Guarantor
The Houston Symphony’s Miller Outdoor Theatre concerts are endowed by The Brown Foundation, Inc. in memory of Stewart and Hanni Orton
The Houston Symphony’s sound shell ceiling is made possible through the generosity of the Beauchamp Foundation and the Fondren Foundation
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Program Insight
8:30 p.m.
Tonight, the orchestra welcomes Franco-British conductor Stephanie Childress to Miller Outdoor Theatre for her Houston Symphony debut. Principal Guest Conductor of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, Childress has made recent exciting debuts with the San Francisco and San Diego Symphony orchestras in North America and the Hallé Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the UK. This evening she opens the program with a 2013 work by Armenian-American composer Mary Kouyoumdjian: Tagh [Diary] of an Immigrant is a concise yet powerful evocation of the immigrant experience as filtered through Kouyoumdjian’s own folk-music influenced style.
The orchestra then welcomes Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak to the stage for his Houston Symphony debut. Winner of multiple awards, including prizes from the Sphinx, Lionel Tertis, and Concert Artists Guild Competitions, Bak performs a classic of the solo viola repertoire, Carl Philipp Stamitz’s elegant Viola Concerto in D major.
The program concludes with Mendelssohn’s brooding Scottish Symphony, a work inspired by the young composer’s tour of Scotland in 1829. Haunted by dramatic pages from Scottish history and the rugged Scottish landscape, this symphony remains one of the great masterpieces of the Victorian era. —Calvin Dotsey
Program Notes
M. KOUYOUMDJIAN
Tagh of an Immigrant (2013)
A first generation Armenian-American, Mary Kouyoumdjian comes from a family that survived several calamities of the 20th-century, including the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1916 and the Lebanese Civil War of 1975–1990. This family history has deeply informed her unique work as a composer and documentarian. As she related in a Fifteen Questions interview, “I find that as an Armenian who comes from a culture that was nearly erased, my work is constantly acknowledging the past (integrating folk music, telling stories from our history). But [I am also] truly hoping to humbly contribute to a new artistic culture for my community. Creating new work, new artistic languages, and new processes is important for any community to move forward.”
Although Armenian music has been a profound influence on her work, Kouyoumdjian’s sources of inspiration extend beyond this history of her own family. Many of her works incorporate the recorded stories of refugees, immigrants, and other people who have experienced extraordinary circumstances. “If I talk to someone who’s been displaced, I have a deeper understanding of my own family’s experiences,” she explained to I Care If You Listen in 2024. “When we hear a real person talking about something they’ve endured, we have a much stronger sense of empathy and understanding for their experience than if I set that text and have someone singing it. It causes a little bit of tension for me to make something so beautiful out of someone’s direct words.”
These innovative, experimental works combine techniques of accompanying spoken words from film music with Kouyoumdjian’s folkmusic inflected style in a way that has garnered serious attention: her Paper Planes was shortlisted for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Music, and she has been featured as part of the New York Philharmonic’s Project 19.
Tagh of an Immigrant is a more traditional work, first composed as a string quintet in 2013 for Ensemble Oktoplus, a Munich-based new music group, but also performable as a string orchestra piece. Kouyoumdjian describes the work as “An imagined journal entry by a hope-filled someone hungrily pushing towards immigration who finds themselves in strange and bittersweet stillness once that immigration is achieved. The Armenian word ‘tagh’ translates to ‘diary.’” The piece is clearly divided into two parts. The first is dominated by pulsating rhythms, which Kouyoumdjian marks “With grit, with heavy attacks, folk-music like”; this likely corresponds to the titular immigrant’s state of mind before leaving their country. At the climax of this intense music, it suddenly gives way to the second section, which consists of chorale-like music marked “sweetly, sensually, peaceful while unsettling”; this surely is the “strange and bittersweet stillness” the immigrant experiences upon arriving in a new land. The music is suffused with expressive glissandi, which by the end take over the music completely. —Calvin Dotsey
Program Notes
STAMITZ
Viola Concerto in D major, Opus 1, No. 1 (1774)
Carl Philipp Stamitz came from a distinguished musical family. Although the clan traces its roots to what is modern day Slovenia, Stamitz’s great-grandfather Martin arrived in Bohemia by 1665. His grandfather, Antonin Ignác, became a successful organist and choirmaster in the town of Německý Brod, but it was his father, Johann, who brought international fame to the family name. By 1741 (aged 24), Johann had established himself at the court of Mannheim in modern-day western Germany. There, he proved one of the most innovative composers of his time, helping to make the Mannheim court orchestra perhaps the best in Europe. Johann was especially famous for his invention of the “Mannheim crescendo”: his symphonies are among the first to include gradual crescendos, effects which showed off the superior coordination of the Mannheim orchestra and electrified contemporary audiences.
Sadly, Johann Stamitz died when his son Carl Philipp was only 11 years old; nevertheless, the boy would go on to follow in his father’s footsteps as a successful musician. After establishing himself as a violinist in the famous Mannheim orchestra, in 1770 Carl Philipp struck out for Paris, a city which his father had successfully toured. There, he won a post as a court conductor and composer for Duke Louis of Noailles and frequently appeared as a soloist at the Concerts Spirituels, the leading concert series for instrumental music in Paris at the time.
Carl Philipp’s D major Viola Concerto was likely one of the works he performed. Published in Paris in either 1773 or 1774, the concerto may have been composed considerably earlier, possibly even before Carl Philipp arrived in Paris. Although he seems to have initially focused on the violin, Carl Philipp became increasingly interested in the viola over time. While the violin’s brilliant tone makes it an obvious solo instrument, Carl Philipp demonstrated that the mellower sound and lower range of the viola can also be used to great advantage in a concerto.
As was traditional for the time, this concerto is divided into three movements; the first begins with a substantial orchestral introduction that introduces the main ideas of the movement. The solo viola then develops these ideas, interlacing them with virtuoso passagework. Carl Philipp was famous for his expressive slow movements, which were frequently written in minor keys. This is also the case with the second movement of this concerto, which turns from the bright D major of the first movement to the darkness of D minor. D major returns with the lively finale, which takes the form of a rondo: the main theme that opens the movement alternates with contrasting episodes, including a brief, moody return to D minor and dazzling passages of fancy fingerwork for the soloist.
—Calvin Dotsey
Program Notes
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Opus 56 (Scottish) (1841)
On March 9, 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, was lunching at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with her secretary, David Rizzio, when the palace was stormed by Mary’s estranged husband, Lord Darnley. Rumors that Rizzio was the Queen’s lover had reached Darnley’s ears, and with the help of his men Darnley dragged Rizzio from the table and stabbed him 56 times as the Queen watched in horror. Rizzio’s murder would be the beginning of the end for Queen Mary, who buried Rizzio in the cemetery of Holyrood Abbey nearby.
During his tour of Scotland some 263 years later, Felix Mendelssohn, already a famous composer at 20, wandered through the palace and the now-ruined abbey, ruminating on the gruesome tale. In a letter home, he wrote, “Everything is ruined, decayed, and the clear heavens shine in. I think today I have found there the beginning of my ‘Scottish’ Symphony.” He jotted down a gloomy, misty theme on the spot, but the rest of the work would only be composed a dozen years later. Completed on January 20, 1842, the new symphony became an instant classic, and Mendelssohn dedicated it to one of his biggest fans—Queen Victoria. The symphony begins with a slow introduction based on the melody that came to Mendelssohn as he wandered through Holyrood Abbey, and its melancholy mood seems a perfect match for the Romantic ruins. Likewise, the dark and turbulent music of the main body of the movement seems to reflect the violence of stories such as the murder of David Rizzio. The movement has three main melodies, all of which are unusually in minor keys that reinforce the gloomy atmosphere. The first appears in the violins when the music becomes faster after the introduction ends, and it builds to a powerful transition full of the pounding rhythms of horse hooves. Fragments of the first melody accompany the second theme in the clarinet, and after another violent transition, the violins play a ghostly, icy third melody. After an intense development, these main themes are reprised. Often interpreted as a musical storm, howling chromatic music then leads to the haunting return of the slow introduction.
The sunny second movement begins with a cheerful tune in the clarinet; of all the melodies in the symphony, this one seems particularly Scottish. The melody grows and develops, leading to a contrasting second theme in the strings. The two themes provide the grist for the movement’s playful developments. The following slow movement begins with questioning phrases for the violins, which then play a lovely song without words. This beautiful melody, which some have described as prayerful in character, is interrupted by a more solemn, ominous theme three times.
Though it is marked “Allegro vivacissimo” (“very fast”) in the published score, Mendelssohn also referred to the finale as “Allegro guerriero”—“fast and warlike,” suggesting he had a battlefield in mind when composing it. This violent, stormy movement features a highly contrapuntal development that builds to a crisis before dying away. At the end, a glowing, hymn-like theme emerges, which Mendelssohn himself said should sound like a men’s chorus. Closely modeled on the opening “ruins” theme that began the symphony, this coda has been interpreted as a hymn of victory or thanksgiving, and brings the symphony to a rousing conclusion. —Calvin Dotsey
Program Bio
Stephanie Childress, conductor
In 2024–25, Stephanie Childress began her tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya and made a series of international returns to the Cleveland, New World, Utah, and North Carolina Symphony Orchestras, as well as Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Orchestre National d’Île-deFrance, and Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier. She also made her debut with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and MDR Sinfonieorchester Leipzig.
From 2021 to 2023, Childress was the Assistant Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony under Stéphane Denève, during which time she enjoyed multiple subscription concerts with the orchestra and developed strong musical ties in North America. Last season saw her debut with the National Arts Centre Ottawa, Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Minnesota
Childress is developing a reputation as a fine Mozartian, hailed by the Guardian for the “lithe vitality” of her interpretation of Le nozze di Figaro at Glyndebourne in 2022. A passionate advocate for contemporary opera, she made her debut last season at the Detroit Opera with Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking the Waves and the world premiere of Simon Voseček’s Ogres at the Prague State Opera.
Childress enjoys a close relationship with the French cultural scene following her second-prize win at the 2020 inaugural conducting competition, La Maestra. Since then, she has conducted Orchestre de Paris, Paris Mozart Orchestra, Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, and l’Orchestre Pasdeloup, and was one of the first conducting fellows of l’Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris.
A passionate advocate for amplifying the role of music within today’s world, Childress undertook a residency at the Villa Albertine, a network for arts and ideas spanning France and the United States, and is a member of the Franco-British Young Leaders’ Program. Stephanie is a relentless supporter of youth music programs and is passionate about conducting, coaching, and mentoring young musicians. She is currently the artistic director of the Sun Valley Music Festival Institute and returned to the Sarasota Music Festival in June 2025. Symphony Orchestras. She is currently the Associate Conductor of the Sun Valley Music Festival.
Inspired to pursue conducting through her love for opera,
Jordan Bak, viola
Award-winning JamaicanAmerican violist Jordan Bak has achieved international acclaim as a trailblazing artist, praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and fearless power. The recipient of the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Alexandra Jupin Award and a former Young Classical Artist Trust’s (YCAT) Robey Artist, Bak was also a prizewinner in the Sphinx, Lionel Tertis, and Concert Artists Guild Competitions.
For the 2025–26 Season, Bak will join the world-renowned Takács Quartet on a tour of rarely performed Mozart viola quintets, in addition to making his concerto debuts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Houston Symphony. Bak will also give the world premiere of composer Michael Frazier’s new viola concerto, Los quetzales, commissioned by Eastman School of Music, The Sphinx Organization, and American Composers Orchestra.
Bak’s enthusiastically received sophomore album, Cantabile: Anthems for Viola (Delphian Records), has garnered significant international attention, featuring works by Arnold Bax, Benjamin Britten, and Ralph Vaughan
Program Bio
Williams, paired with contemporary compositions by Jonathan Harvey, Bright Sheng, and Augusta Read Thomas. Bak is a proud advocate of new music.
Bak has appeared as soloist with such orchestras as London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, London Mozart Players, New York Classical Players, Juilliard Orchestra, and Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra, among others. As a recitalist and chamber musician, he has been heard at some of the world’s greatest performance venues. Bak
has been a presence at numerous chamber music festivals such as Marlboro Music Festival, Tippet Rise, Chamber Music Northwest, and Newport Classical.
Passionate about education, Bak currently serves as Assistant Professor of Viola at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and as an Ambassador for UK Music Masters in London.
Only the third violist to earn the Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, Jordan Bak holds a Bachelor of Music degree from
New England Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School where he was awarded the prestigious Kovner Fellowship. His principal teachers were Dimitri Murrath, Hsin-Yun Huang, and Samuel Rhodes.
Jordan Bak plays on two violas both made by Jon van Kouwenhoven. He is married to violist Rubina Bak.
VALČUHA CONDUCTS WEST SIDE STORY
Houston Symphony Music Director Juraj Valčuha makes his first ever appearance at Miller Outdoor Theatre!
Presenting Sponsor
Juraj Valčuha, Music Director