InTune — The Houston Symphony Magazine — March 2017

THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY MAGAZINE

MARCH 2017

ESCHENBACH CONDUCTS BRUCKNER 22

TCHAIKOVSKY’S PATHÉTIQUE 28

BEN FOLDS 32

PINK MARTINI RETURNS 34

March 3, 4, 5

March 9, 11, 12 March 16

March 17, 18, 19

BEETHOVEN 6 & 7 40

March 23, 24, 25, 26

BEETHOVEN’S FIDELIO 43 March 31, April 2

Andrés Orozco–Estrada conducts a riveting semi-staged performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio. See feature on page 44.

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HELLO LETTER TO PATRONS

MARCH 2017

Welcome to your Houston Symphony! This month sees the exciting culmination of Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s three-year exploration of Beethoven’s genius, which has included performances of all nine of the composer’s symphonies. Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7 complete our symphonic cycle with performances at Sugar Land Baptist Church on March 23 and at Jones Hall on March 24–26.

The capstone of Andrés’ study of Beethoven’s compositions is the semi-staged production of his only opera, Fidelio. Houston-based director Tara Faircloth and lighting/projection designer Sarah Tundermann have created a compelling visual presentation to heighten your experience of this powerful opera, which resonates with themes of freedom, justice and the power of love. Using imagery of red and white roses, in both abstract and literal ways, the Jones Hall stage will be transformed by projections and lighting schemes that underline the unfolding drama. Join Andrés, the orchestra, soloists and the Houston Symphony Chorus March 31 and April 2.

Another must-see (and must-hear) event this month is the return of former Houston Symphony Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. Maestro Eschenbach returns to the Jones Hall stage March 3-5 to conduct two works by Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 and Te Deum featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus. Interestingly, he has never before conducted these works with the Houston Symphony even though he has had a long and very fruitful relationship with our orchestra.

Also returning to the Jones Hall stage to perform with the Houston Symphony this month is the genre-bending group Pink Martini, who will be joined by special guest vocalist Ari Shapiro, host of NPR’s All Things Considered.

Principle POPS Conductor Designate Steven Reineke stirs things up with Pink Martini and the orchestra on three unforgettable evenings, March 17–19.

Finally, we remind you to check out the diverse lineup of Classical, POPS, Family and Special programming the Houston Symphony will bring to you in the recently announced 2017–18 season. For details, please visit us online at houstonsymphony.org/2017-18. There has never been a better time to join our family. As a subscriber, you get many invaluable perks, including exclusive access to special pre-sales and the chance to select the best seats at the best prices; the more concerts you attend, the better deal you get. Subscribers, donors and supporters are vital to the Houston Symphony, and we thank you once again for making it possible to share the magic of orchestral music with Houston audiences.

Steven P. Mach President

Mark C. Hanson Excecutive Director/ CEO

InTUNE — March 2017 | 1

InTUNE | M A R C H

2017

Programs

Eschenbach Conducts Bruckner

March 3, 4, 5 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique

March 9, 11, 12 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28 Ben Folds

March 16 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������32 Pink Martini Returns

March 17, 18, 19 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������34 Beethoven 6 & 7

March 23, 24, 25, 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Beethoven’s Fidelio

March 31, April 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Letter to Patrons ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1 Students Create Their Own Musical Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Three Years of Beethoven Symphonies ���������������������������������������������38 Beethoven’s Fidelio: An Opera for Today. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Meet Tianjie Lu, second violin ������������������������������������������������������������������68

Community-Embedded Musician Hellen Weberpal visits with students at Lyons Elementary.

© STEVE KAUFMAN ART LICENSING, LLC.

Features

18

Events

2017 Houston Symphony Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 2017 Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition. . . . . . . . 16 Upcoming Performances and Broadcasts ��������������������������������������� 51

Your Houston Symphony

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Music Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Orchestra Roster ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 Houston Symphony Chorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

38

The Houston Symphony’s three-year cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies concludes.

Our Supporters

New Century Society ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 14 Leadership Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Vision 2025 Implementation Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Board of Directors ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������52 Houston Symphony Endowment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Sustainability Fund �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Legacy Society and In Memoriam ���������������������������������������������������������56 Education and Community Engagement Donors . . . . . . . . . 57 Houston Symphony Donors �����������������������������������������������������������������������58 Vintage Virtuoso. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Musician Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Corporate, Foundation and Government Partners ���������������������65 2 | Houston Symphony

43

Join us for an innovative, semi-staged production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio.

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In THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY

InTUNE is published by the Houston Symphony.

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Editorial Contributors Steven Brown Aurelie Desmarais, Senior Artistic Advisor Ragan Rhodes, Education & Community Programming Associate Elaine Reeder Mayo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial Consultant Charles P. Young Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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.

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The Houston Symphony has been thrilling and engaging audiences for more than 100 years. During that time, it has built an outstanding brand that is recognized for excellence and value—the very qualities that advertisers seek.

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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.

DECEMBER 2016

SOEFE R

InTune is produced by the Houston Symphony’s Marketing and Communications department.

Trazanna Moreno. . . . . . . . . . Chief Marketing Officer Vanessa Astros. . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Director, Communications Keith Nickerson. . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor/Art Director Melanie O'Neill. . . . . . . . . . . . . Publications Designer

ZINE

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Mark C. Hanson . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director/CEO

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

HONY MAGA

ANDRÉS ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA

M U S I C D I R E C T O R

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. Andrés 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 2016–17 season, Andrés continues to engage with audiences both with casual commentary from the stage and discussions with guests in “Behind the Scenes with Andrés” videos. On the recording front, Andrés and the Symphony released the third disc in their critically acclaimed Dvořák Symphony series.

Additional projects with Dutch recording label Pentatone are recordings of the Music of the Americas, which will include Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Revueltas’ Sensemayá; Rachmaninoff’s complete orchestral piano works with Denis Kozhukhin; and Haydn’s The Creation.

Born in Medellín, Colombia, Andrés began his musical studies on the violin and started conducting at age 15. At 19, he entered the 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 on the international scene with two substitutions with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra: 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, Munich Philharmonic and Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestras, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome and the Orchestre National de France.

Recent debuts have included the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic in New York. In the summer of 2014, he also made his debut at Glyndebourne Festival Opera conducting Don Giovanni, which immediately led to an invitation to conduct La traviata in 2017. The 2016–17 season includes debuts with the San Francisco Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

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.

6 | Houston Symphony

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ROSTER

ORCHESTRA Andrés Orozco-Estrada Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair FIRST VIOLIN 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 Anastasia Sukhopara*

DOUBLE BASS Robin Kesselman, Principal David Malone, Associate Principal Mark Shapiro Eric Larson Burke Shaw Donald Howey Michael McMurray FLUTE Aralee Dorough, Principal General Maurice Hirsch Chair Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Judy Dines Kathryn Ladner PICCOLO Kathryn Ladner

SECOND VIOLIN Rebecca Reale, Associate Principal Hitai Lee Kiju Joh** Mihaela Frusina Annie Kuan-Yu Chen Jing Zheng Martha Chapman Tianjie Lu Lisa Ji Eun Kim Tina Zhang Amy Teare** Evgenia Zharzhavskaya* Jenna Barghouti* Jordan Koransky*

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

Community-Embedded Musicians David Connor, double bass Rainel Joubert, violin Anthony Parce, viola Hellen Weberpal, cello 8 | Houston Symphony

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 Caroline Schafer TROMBONE Allen Barnhill, Principal Bradley White, Associate Principal Phillip Freeman BASS TROMBONE Phillip Freeman TUBA Dave Kirk, Principal

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 Jeffrey Butler Kevin Dvorak Xiao Wong Myung Soon Lee James R. Denton** Louis-Marie Fardet Yewon Ahn*

Michael Krajewski Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke Principal POPS Conductor Designate Robert Franz Associate Conductor, Sponsor, Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Betsy Cook Weber Director, Houston Symphony Chorus

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

TIMPANI Ronald Holdman, Principal Brian Del Signore, Associate Principal PERCUSSION Brian Del Signore, Principal Mark Griffith Matthew Strauss

E-FLAT CLARINET Thomas LeGrand

HARP Megan Conley, Principal

BASS CLARINET Alexander Potiomkin Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair

KEYBOARD Scott Holshouser, Principal

BASSOON Rian Craypo, Principal Eric Arbiter, Associate Principal Elise Wagner Micah Doherty*

*Contracted Substitute ** On Leave

CONTRABASSOON Micah Doherty*

Orchestra Personnel Manager Michael Gorman

Librarian Thomas Takaro

Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager Shana Bey

Assistant Librarians Hae-a Lee Michael McMurray

Stage Manager Kelly Morgan

Stage Technicians Ritaban Ghosh Cory Grant Jose Rios Ryan Samuelson David Stennis

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CHORUS

HOUSTON SYMPHONY CHORUS Anna Diemer Chorus Manager Scott Holshouser Accompanist Tony Sessions Librarian/Stage Manager

Betsy Cook Weber Director

The Houston Symphony Chorus, the official choral unit of the Houston Symphony, consists of highly skilled and talented volunteer singers. Over the years, singers in this historic ensemble have learned and performed the world’s great choral-orchestral masterworks under the batons of Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Michael Krajewski, Hans Graf, Robert Shaw, Christoph Eschenbach, Peter Schreier, Helmut Rilling and Nicholas McGegan, among many others. The Chorus looks forward to singing the closing subscription concerts with the Prague Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic in June 2017. The Houston Symphony Chorus holds auditions by appointment and welcomes inquiries from interested singers.

Betsy Cook Weber | Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and is also internationally active as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator and lecturer. In 2013, Betsy became the 13th person and first woman to receive the Texas Choral Director Association’s coveted Texas Choirmaster Award. She is editor of the Betsy Cook Weber choral series with Alliance Music Publishing.

Choirs under Dr. Weber’s direction, including the Moores School Concert Chorale, have been featured at multiple state and national conventions. Internationally, Chorale has won prizes and received acclaim at prestigious competitions in Wales, France and Germany.

Dr. Weber has prepared singers for Da Camera of Houston and for early music orchestras Ars Lyrica and Mercury Houston. She prepares singers for touring shows, including Josh Groban, NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, Telemundo’s Latin Grammy, Star Wars: In Concert and Andrea Bocelli.

Before joining the University of Houston, Dr. Weber taught vocal music, K-12, in public schools. Prior to her appointment as Houston Symphony Chorus Director in 2014, she served from 1990 to 1997 as Assistant and, later, Associate Director of the Chorus. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas, Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ) and the University of Houston.

CHORUS ROSTER Keith Dixon Janet Menzie Rehearsal Conductors Steve Abercia 1 Melissa Adams 1 Wilton Adams 1, 2 Bob Alban 1 Anthony Allen 1, 2 Ramona Alms 1 Yoset Altamirano 1 Joe Anzaldua 1 Stuart Aron 1, 2 R. Ellis Bardin 1 Enrique Barrera III 1, 2 Lauren Bass 1 Justin Becker 1 Nicholas Berkley 1, 2 John Bice 1 Claude Bitner 1 Randy Boatright 1, 2 Cris Bocanegra 1, 2 Harvey Bongers 1 Jonathan Bordelon 1, 2 Janene Bostwick 1 Bruce Boyle 1, 2 Robyn Branning 1 Sara Brannon 1 Nancy Bratic 1 Mischa Brinkmeyer 1, 2 James Bue 1, 2 Pat Bumpus 1 Troy Burnett 1, 2 James R. Carazola 1 Susan Casper 1 Tatiana Chavnelle 1 William Cheadle 1 10 | Houston Symphony

1

Eschenbach Conducts Bruchner March 3–5 Beethoven’s Fidelio March 31, April 2

2

Elizabeth Chrisman 1, 2 Peter Christian 1, 2 Nancy Christopherson 1 Sarah Clark 1 Nicole Colby 1, 2 Carlos Cordero 2 Emer Cordoba 1, 2 Kyle Damron 1 Melissa Ragsdale Darragh 1 Kevin Di Filippo 1 Cody Dickson 1, 2 Anna Diemer 1, 2 Keith Dixon 1 Steve Dukes 1 Randy Eckman 1, 2 Deborah Edwin 1 Paul Ehrsam 1 Raul Enriquez 1, 2 Chris Fair 1 Brianna Fernandez 1 Ian Fetterley 1 Julia FitzGerald 1 Katie Fry 1 Joseph Frybert 1 Mary Gahr 1 Chase Gaines 1, 2 Michael Gilbert 1, 2 Rex Gillit 1 Katura Gilmore 1 Robert Gomez 1 Hannah Gronseth 1 Will Hailey 1, 2 Natalie Hale 1 Julia Hall 1 Susan Hall 1, 2 Jennifer Harris 1 Austin Hart 1, 2

Jen Hart 1 Scott Hassett 1 Matthew Henderson 1, 2 Megan Henry 1, 2 Eileen Holshouser 1 Sean Holshouser 1 Blythe Hopson 1 Catherine Howard 1 George Howe 1, 2 Laura Howey 1 Jillian Hughes 1, 2 Sylvia Hysong 2 Phillip Jackson 1, 2 Sean Jackson 1, 2 Stephen James 1 Donna Jerz 1 Hope Johnson 1 David Jones 1 Timothy Joya 1, 2 Christopher Kersten 1, 2 Timothy Klingler 1 Nobuhide Kobori 1 David Kolacny Jr. 1 Kat Kunz 1 Julie Kutac 1, 2 Karen Lach 1 Landon LaMontagne 1 Brian K. Lassinger 1, 2 Cynthia Lavenda 1 Heather Leal 1 Joyce Lewis 1 Zeke Listenbee 1 Frank Lopez 1 Kimberly MacQueen 2 Pam Magnuson 1 Dawn Malone 1 Katie Marcell 1, 2

Qwi Massingill 1 Ken Mathews 1 Ben May 1, 2 Sarah McConnell 1 Melissa Medina 1 Janet Menzie 1, 2 Scott Mermelstein 1 Jim Moore 2 Shelby Murphy 1, 2 Robert Nash 1, 2 Theresa Olin 1 David Opheim 1 Janwin Overstreet-Goode 1, 2 Marie Parisot 1 Bill Parker 1 Alexandra Parkin 1 Jennifer Paulson 1 Sydney Peltier 1 Charnele Pendarvis 1 Benjamin Peters 1, 2 Jack Petok 1, 2 Kody Pisney 1, 2 Allison Poe 1 Chantel Potvin 1 Lauren Price 1 Greg Railsback 1 Heather Ramirez 1 Karen Ramirez 1 Joseph Ray 1 Linda Renner 1 Laurie Reynolds 1 Kirk Rich 1 Gabriel Rio 2 Doug Rodenberger 2 Carolyn Rogan 1 Alex Schaaf 1 Kali Schiska 1

Gary Scullin 1 Tony Sessions 1, 2 Kevin Shultz 1 Jonathan Silbert 1 Jeff Simmons 1, 2 Lauren Smith 1, 2 Christopher Song 1 Karla Sosa 1 Katie Spanos 1 Dewell Springer 1, 2 Miriam Stafford 1 Mark Standridge 2 Samuel Stengler 1 Ashley Stouffer 1 Carla Summers 1 Cecilia Sun 1 Suzanne Thacker 1 Alisa Tobin 1 Sara Torrey 1, 2 Lisa Trewin 1 Yen-Kuei (Peter) Tu 1, 2 Paul Van Dorn 1, 2 Jeanna Villanueva 1 Mary Voigt 1 Amanda Wade 1 Lori Wagner 1 Heidi Walton 1, 2 Jenny Warkentin 1 Beth Weidler 1 Brady Weldon 1, 2 Kat White 1 Arty Whittenberg 1 Lance Wilcox 1, 2 Lee Williams 1, 2 Kaye Windel-Garza 1 Vanessa Winslow 2 Jennifer Wobser 1

Emeritus Members Barbara Bush Anne Campbell Carol Carthel James Carthel Rochella Cooper Debby Cutler Roger Cutler Marilyn Dyess Sally Evans Richard Field David Fox Clarice Gatlin Bill Goddard John Grady Chuck Izzo Berma Kinsey David Knoll John MacDonald Joan Mercado Dave Nussmann Janis Parish Nina Peropoulos Peter Peropoulos Linda Peters Jan Russell June Russell Tony Vazquez Jim Wilhite Pam Wilhite Patsy Wilson The Houston Symphony thanks supporters of the Chorus Endownment. For a list of donors, please see page 54.

2017

Houston Symphony B A L L

Friday, May 12, 2017 Marriott Marquis Houston

Presenting Sponsor

Christina & Mark Hanson, Chairs Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge, Honorary Chair Beth Wolff & Farida Abjani, Ball Auction Chairs Danielle & Joshua Batchelor, Entertainment Chairs Candace & Brian Thomas, After-Party Chairs

Stir It Up In Vegas: An Evening of Glamour & Spectacle with Frankie Moreno

HONOREES

Make plans to join us for the annual Houston Symphony Ball. This year, we will honor several of the Houston Symphony family’s most generous donors and will feature two shows by the energetic Las Vegas showman Frankie Moreno and his band. Our silent auction will be filled with one-of-a-kind packages and experiences. All proceeds will benefit the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming,

Ima Hogg Award for Philanthropy Jane & Robert Cizik

Special Honoree Richard Flowers/The Events Company

Mike Stude Award for Enduring Artistic Vision Janice H. Barrow, Barbara & Pat McCelvey and family

Maurice Hirsch Corporate Citizenship Award Vinson & Elkins, LLP

The Stewart Orton Golden Baton Award Raphael Fliegel Award for in Recognition of Extraordinary Visionary Leadership Volunteer Service Awarded jointly to Barbara J. Burger Margaret Alkek Williams and Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan

TABLES FOR 14: $100,000 TABLES FOR 12: $75,000 TABLES FOR 10: $50,000; $25,000 and $15,000 INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $6,250; $2,500 and $1,500 YOUNG ASSOCIATE COUNCIL TICKETS: $750 LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $750 TICKETS FOR A HOUSTON SYMPHONY MUSICIAN AND GUEST: $1,500 For more information, please contact: Houston Symphony Special Events specialevents@houstonsymphony.org 713.337.8585

11 | Houston Symphony

InTUNE — March 2017 | 11

The Inaugural Season of Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke 2 0 1 7 - 1 8 B B VA C O M PA S S P O P S S E R I E S

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2017-18

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

AWARDWINNING TALENT

Ella Fitzgerald

Megan Hilty, vocalist

Special: for one night only! Hitchcock’s Psycho helps kick off your Halloween.

Megan Hilty (TV’s Smash) returns for a new Very Merry Pops.

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts © All Rights Reserved

Elvis Presley

LEGENDS REMEMBERED

Chris Botti, trumpet ®

Grammy winner Chris Botti performs alongside his electrifying band and the Houston Symphony.

Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday is celebrated with a vocal powerhouse trio and Michael Krajewski returns to conduct the Elvis Presley Songbook.

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New CenturyforSArtistic ociety 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.

Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge 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. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mike Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Robin Angly & Miles Smith Gary & Marian Beauchamp Barbara J. Burger The Hearst Foundation, Inc. Joella & Steven P. Mach Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Houston Methodist Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch Carol & Michael Linn & The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Nancy & Robert Peiser 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 Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III / WoodRock & Co. Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Barbara & Pat McCelvey Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemetaries of the Greater Houston Area Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Jr. / Houston Baptist University Wells Fargo

For more information or to pledge your support for New Century Society, please contact: Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, 713.337.8540 David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525

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).

Graham & Janet Baker Danielle & Josh Batchelor Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Justice Brett & Erin Busby Janet F. Clark Billy & Christie McCartney The Estate of Terence Murphree Mr. Richard Danforth Gene & Linda Dewhurst The Elkins Foundation Angel & Craig Fox Allen & Almira Gelwick – Lockton Companies Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Christina & Mark C. Hanson The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation Rita & Paul Morico Mr. John N. Neighbors Susan & Edward Osterberg Gloria & Joe Pryzant Roman & Sally Reed Ken & Carol Lee Robertson Michael J. Shawiak Donna & Tim Shen Lisa & Jerry Simon Nancy & David Tai Stephen & Kristine Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr.

For more information or to pledge your support for the Leadership Council, please contact: David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526

14 | Houston Symphony

EARLY ADOPTERS Vision 2025 Implementation Fund

Vision 2025, the Houston Symphony’s ten-year Strategic Plan, will allow the Houston Symphony to be America’s most relevant and accessible top-ten orchestra by 2025.

Vision 2025 was kick-started by early adopters in 2015. The Houston Symphony recognizes and thanks the following Early Adopters for their initial investments in support of our ambitious vision.

Vision 2025 Implementation Fund The Vision 2025 Implementation Fund will catalyze the transformative growth outlined within Vision 2025. The Houston Symphony recognizes and thanks the following supporters of the Vision 2025 Implementation Fund.

OPERATING SUPPORT Rochelle & Max Levit Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Barbara J. Burger John & Lindy Rydman/ Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods/ Spec’s Charitable Foundation Anonymous C. Howard Pieper Foundation Clare Attwell Glassell Janet F. Clark The Brown Foundation, Inc. The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Mr. John N. Neighbors Barbara & Pat McCelvey Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Joella & Steven P. Mach Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells Beauchamp Foundation Lisa & Jerry Simon Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation Jay & Shirley Marks Nancy & Robert Peiser Dave & Alie Pruner Michael J. Shawiak BBVA Compass Robin Angly & Miles Smith Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan The Boeing Company

Justice Brett & Erin Busby Carol & Michael Linn and The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Beth Madison Rita & Paul Morico Ms. Ellen A. Yarrell, in memory of Virginia S. Anderson and in honor of Cora Sue Mach

Eugene Fong Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Kenneth J. Hyde Mr. Jackson D. Hicks Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Gary Mercer Mike Stude Stephen & Kristine Wallace Texas Commission on the Arts

Joella & Steven P. Mach Rochelle & Max Levit Steven & Nancy Williams Robin Angly & Miles Smith Carol & Michael Linn & The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation The Hearst Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Baker Botts L.L.P. Nancy & Robert Peiser Barbara & Pat McCelvey The Robert & Janice McNair Foundation / Palmetto Partners, Ltd. John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods/ Spec’s Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Billy & Christie McCartney Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Danielle & Josh Batchelor BBVA Compass Dave & Alie Pruner

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann PLANNED AND Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn ENDOWMENT GIFTS Evan B. Glick Robin Angly Viviana & David Denechaud James Barton Christina & Mark C. Hanson Paul M. Basinski Debbie & Frank G. Jones Michael J. Shawiak Dr. Stewart Morris C. Howard Pieper Foundation Donna & Tim Shen Dr. James E. & Betty W. Key Tad & Suzanne Smith The Hon. Stella G. & Judith Vincent Richard C. Nelson Vicki West & Mrs. Liv Estrada Susan Gail Wood BB&T / Courtney & Bill Toomey EARLY ADOPTERS Mr. & Mrs. David E. K. Frischkorn Jr. Margaret Alkek Williams Marzena & Jacek Jaminski Janice Barrow Cora Sue & Harry Mach Catherine & Bob Orr The Brown Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Cora Sue & Harry Mach Shirley Wolff Toomim Albert & Ethel Herzstein Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Charitable Foundation Brad & Joan Corson For more information or to pledge your support for Vision 2025, please contact: Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, 713.337.8540 Estate of Freddie L. Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525

Vision 2025 Implementation Fund

ANTHONY RATHBUN

in ACTION

Yo-Yo Ma with Mike McLanahan, Clive Runnells, Muffy McLanahan, Heather and Jeffrey Firestone

On February 4, donors to the Vision 2025 Implementation Fund enjoyed a special one-night only performance by esteemed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Houston Symphony, conducted by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada followed by an intimate reception. This was all possible thanks to ourVision 2025 Implementation Fund supporters, including Muffy and Mike McLanahan and Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells, who enable the Houston Symphony to invest in both the quality and quantity of its performers and performances by collaborating with artistically outstanding conductors and guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma. This performance was also generously supported by Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells, Gary and Marian Beauchamp, Lisa and Jerry Simon, and Baker Botts L.L.P. InTUNE — March 2017 | 15

NEWS & EVENTS 2017 Houston Symphony I M A

H O G G

C O M P E T I T I O N

A Partnership between the Houston Symphony League and the Houston Symphony

Ima Hogg

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017 | 7PM Stude Concert Hall at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music Barbara McCelvey, Competition Chair

COMPETITION

Now celebrating its 42nd year, the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition is one of the foremost multi-instrument competitions in the world. Named to honor the memory of Miss Ima Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, this prestigious competition is designed to identify outstanding young instrumentalists and support their pursuit of careers in music. Ten contestants will be selected to perform in the semi-finals on June 2. Four finalists will advance to perform with the Houston Symphony to determine the winner of The Grace Woodson Memorial First Prize and a $25,000 award, generously provided by the Dennis family. This national competition is open to young musicians, ages 16 to 26, who play standard orchestral instruments and piano.

TICKETS: $25 ($15 student rush, $10 student advance purchase) Call 713.224.7575 or visit houstonsymphony.org DONATE: Your generous contribution will ensure the continued success and growth of the competition.

For more information and to make a donation in support of the competition, please contact Molly Simpson at molly.simpson@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8526 or Liam Bonner at liam.bonner@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8536.

The Ima Hogg Competition is sponsored in part by

KIDS TICKETS FROM $22

Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10 and 11:30 am Robert Franz, conductor Lauren Pastorek, vocalist Theater Under The Stars Humphries School of Musical Theater Kelly Lomonte, vocalist Sam Brown, director

Join us for a Saturday morning with Sam I Am and the spectacular world of Dr. Seuss!

Featuring Seuss’ highly imaginative characters with song and dance, our storybook celebration explores Green Eggs and Ham. We also pay tribute to classic animation with a zany Looney Tunes medley and Rossini’s famous Overture to the Barber of Seville. Also, enjoy pre-concert activities, including our Instrument Petting Zoo, as well as craft and musical activities.

houstonsymphony.org | (713) 224-7575 Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge, sponsor The Vivian L. Smith Foundation, supporter

16 | Houston Symphony

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Photo by Tato Baeza, Palau de les Art Reina Sofía

Photo by George Hixson

2016 17

Sung in German with projected English translation

Sung in German with projected English translation

WAGNER

MOZART

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

SATURDAY TUESDAY

APRIL 22 APRIL 25

6:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M.

FRIDAY SUNDAY

APRIL 28 APRIL 30

7:30 P.M. 2:00 P.M.

SATURDAY THURSDAY SUNDAY

APRIL 29 MAY 04 MAY 07

6:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 2:00 P.M.

SATURDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY

MAY 06 MAY 10 MAY 12

7:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M.

Call 713-228-OPERA (6737) or visit HGO.org to purchase.

LYONS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Create Their Own Musical Stories

By Ragan Rhodes, Education & Community Programming Associate “What’s cool about what you just did is that most of you have never heard this Hungarian Rhapsody before, and you were able to invent your own characters to go along with the music. All of you were able to make up a story about the music, and you can do that with any music you hear at a classical concert!”

— Community-Embedded Musician Hellen Weberpal, encouraging an imaginative classroom of fifth grade students at Lyons Elementary

Lyons Elementary recently took part in the Houston Symphony’s Pre- and Post-Concert Musician Visit program. CommunityEmbedded Musicians (CEMs) visited classrooms before students attended the Cameron Upper Elementary Concert, providing context for the music they would hear. After the concert, the CEMs visited the students once again to reflect on the experience. The opportunity for students to see “their” musician (in this case, CEM Hellen Weberpal) onstage performing with the orchestra forged a special bond between the students and the musicians and deepened the concert-going experience.

While most of the Pre- and Post-Concert Musician Visits were concentrated around band and orchestra students who attended the Middle School Concerts, the Cameron Upper Elementary Concert classroom visits were exclusively designed for schools, such as Lyons Elementary, that are involved in the Arts Access Initiative.

18 | Houston Symphony

This initiative is a Houston-specific coalition of arts organizations and Houston Independent School District (HISD) administrators working to ensure equitable arts access in music, dance, theatre and literary, visual and media arts for every HISD student in grades K–8.

At Lyons Elementary, in the Northline district of HISD, Hellen worked with students in five fifth-grade classrooms to introduce the concept of musical themes through notable characters such as those represented in Star Wars. The students created their own musical themes for the characters Han Solo and BB-8. By starting with figures with whom the students were familiar, Hellen opened the door for them to explore how music helps composers tell a story and inspires students to create their own musical stories.

During the Cameron Upper Elementary Concert, Hellen was greeted with huge smiles and waves by the 150 students when she visited them in their seats at the concert. When the students asked her later in the post-concert visit if she was nervous, she told them “No, I was just excited because I got to perform for all of you—150 fifth graders that I know.”

“Our students have been to the Houston Symphony for a student concert before, but have never seen an instrument up close,” said Ms. Rhodes, a fifth grade teacher at Lyons Elementary. “I was mesmerized and so were the kids. And when Hellen came out to see them at the concert, it was like she was a rock star.”

BEC PAR OME T OF A IT!

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1: Cameron Upper Elementary Concert, Creating Stories with Music, on December 6 at Jones Hall.

2: Community-Embedded Musician Hellen Weberpal explains Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody to Ms. Rhodes’ 5th grade class at Lyons Elementary.

3: Fifth-grader Mia Sanchez presents the story her group imagined after hearing a theme from Hungarian Rhapsody.

4: The students prepared a long list of questions for Hellen’s post-concert visit.

5: Associate Conductor Robert Franz visits with students as they arrive for the concert.

4141 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77025 call 713.660.5000 Visit us at our website: www.BrazosTowers.org or on our Facebook page: Brazos Towers At Bayou Manor Brazos Towers at Bayou Manor and its sister property, The Hallmark, are the senior living communities of Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc. Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc. serves older adults of all faiths, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age or handicap, except as limited by state and federal law.

a NEW Speaker Series Presented by the HOUSTON SYMPHONY

NASA/JPL-CALTECH

Behind Every Adventure is an Incredible Story.

EXPLORING MARS: THE NEXT GENERATION APRIL 18, 2017

Kobie Boykins, NASA engineer

KEITH LADZINSKI NASA/JPL-CALTECH

Kobie Boykins, a mechanical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, reveals our latest venture to Mars, the Mars Science Laboratory, better known as Curiosity.

Join him for an engaging evening on the Red Planet with an update on the very latest chapter in the ongoing story of the fascinating Mars exploration.

CLIMBING DREAMS MAY 23, 2017

Mike Libecki, climber According to Men’s Journal, climber Mike Libecki is one of the “World’s 50 Most Adventurous Men.” Follow Mike as he tackles mud and mayhem on the massive Poumaka Tower in French Polynesia, encounters fear and friendship on the Bamiyan slopes of Afghanistan and dodges polar bears while exploring Greenland’s icy waters.

Note: The orchestra will not perform during these events.

Tickets: from $20 Buy Today! houstonsymphony.org | (713) 224-7575

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FEATURED PROGRAM

ESCHENBACH CONDUCTS BRUCKNER Friday Saturday Sunday

March 3, 2017 March 4, 2017 March 5, 2017

8pm 8pm 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor *Lindsay Russell, soprano *Zoie Reams, mezzo-soprano *Jack Swanson, tenor *Kyle Albertson, bass-baritone Houston Symphony Chorus—Betsy Cook Weber, director *Houston Symphony debut

Bruckner

Symphony No. 1 in C minor (Vienna version) I Allegro II Adagio—Andante III Scherzo and Trio: Lebhaft—Langsam IV Finale: Bewegt, feurig

ca. 48

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

Bruckner

Te Deum

22 | Houston Symphony

I II III IV V

Te Deum: Allegro moderato Te ergo: Moderato Aeterna fac: Allegro moderato (Feierlich, mit kraft) Salvum fac: Moderato—Allegro moderato In te Domine speravi: Mässig bewegt

ca. 19

Did you know?

• Music Director of the Houston Symphony from 1988 to 1999, Christoph Eschenbach has not previously conducted the orchestra in these two Bruckner works.

• Director Ken Russell’s TV movie The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990) fictionalizes Bruckner’s real-life stay at a sanatorium because of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Eschenbach Conducts Bruckner | Program Biographies

Program BIOGRAPHIES SHELL FAVORITE MASTER SERIES

Christoph Eschenbach | conductor

These performances are generously supported in part by:

The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham.

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.

Enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

This concert is being recorded for future broadcasts on Houston Public Media News 88.7 airing on Sundays at 8pm and streaming online at houstonpublicmedia.org.

ERIC BRISSAUD

Sponsor The Brown Foundation, Inc. Tad & Suzanne Smith

Music director of the Houston Symphony from 1988 to 1999, Christoph Eschenbach is currently music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Now in his seventh and final season with the NSO and Kennedy Center, he has taken the orchestra on three international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall. Later this month, they will perform in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, at the invitation of Olga Rostropovich, as part of the 2017 Rostropovich Festival, celebrating what would have been Mstislav Rostropovich’s 90th birthday. His season includes the East Coast premiere of an NSO co-commissioned Concerto in D (for Violin and Orchestra) by Wynton Marsalis and the conclusion of Mahler Explored.

Highlights of Eschenbach’s other engagements this season include a new production of Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and guest conducting throughout Europe, including the Vienna Philharmonic for the worldwide televised Summer Night Concert. In addition to this visit with the Houston Symphony, he returns to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Ravinia Festival and leads the Bamberg Symphony on a 10-concert American tour.

A prolific recording artist over five decades, Eschenbach has an impressive discography as conductor and pianist. With the NSO, he recorded Remembering JFK (Ondine). His discography includes recordings with the Philadelphia Orchestra (Ondine), the Orchestre de Paris (Ondine and Deutsche Grammophon), London Philharmonic Orchestra (EMI/LPO Live), London Symphony Orchestra (DG/BMG), Vienna Philharmonic (Decca), NDR Sinfonieorchester (BMG/Sony and Warner) and Houston Symphony (Koch).

His recordings have received critical acclaim and many prestigious honors.

His recording of the full cycle of Mahler symphonies with the Orchestre de Paris is available on his website for free on-demand streaming; visit christopheschenbach.com.

Mentored by George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, Christoph Eschenbach has enjoyed a career which has included music directorships of the Orchestre de Paris, Philadelphia Orchestra, Ravinia Festival and NDR Sinfonieorchester, in addition to the Houston Symphony. He has also served as artistic director of the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival and as chief conductor and artistic director of the Tonhalle Orchestra. His many honors include the 2015 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, Légion d’Honneur, Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Officer’s Cross and Commander’s Cross of the German Order of Merit for outstanding achievements. He received the Leonard Bernstein Award from the Pacific Music Festival, where he was co-artistic director.

Houston Symphony Chorus | Betsy Cook Weber, director Please see the Houston Symphony Chorus roster on page 10.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 23

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

Lindsay Russell | soprano

Zoie Reams | mezzo-soprano

Soprano Lindsay Russell is quickly gaining recognition in the world of opera. Her vocal versatility and strong acting ability make her a strong cross-over artist in roles such as Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Maria in The Sound of Music, Anne in A Little Night Music and Cunégonde in Candide. This season, she sings the role of Marie in La fille du régiment with Intermountain Opera Bozeman and Leila in The Pearl Fishers with Opera in the Heights. She also joined the roster of Houston Grand Opera as Addie Mills in The House Without a Christmas Tree and appeared in its production of It’s a Wonderful Life.

Mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams, from Chicago, is in her first year as a studio artist with the Houston Grand Opera.

Zoie received her bachelor of music degree from Lawrence University and her master of music degree from Louisiana State University.

Her awards include first place in the emerging artist category of the 2015 Classical Singer Vocal Competition, second place at the 2016 regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and second prize at the 2016 Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers.

Some of Zoie’s past roles include Béatrice in Berlioz’ Béatrice et Bénédict, Mrs. Lovett in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and Isabella in Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri. She made her Glimmerglass Festival debut in the summer of 2016 as Tituba in Robert Ward’s The Crucible. This past season at the Houston Grand Opera, Zoie was a part of both world premieres of Jake Heggie’s It’s a Wonderful Life and Laura Kaminsky’s Some Light Emerges, as well as John Adams' Nixon in China.

In recent seasons, Lindsay made several role and company debuts, including the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte with Arizona Opera, Opera Roanoke and Opera Idaho; the Lady with a Hand Mirror in Dominick Argento’s Postcard from Morocco with Portland Opera; Lisette in La rondine at Skylark Opera; and Valencienne in The Merry Widow with the Northern Lights Music Festival.

Additionally, she played Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel with Knoxville Opera and Adele in Die Fledermaus with Nashville Opera.

As an apprentice artist with Santa Fe Opera, she made mainstage performances as the First Bridesmaid in Le nozze di Figaro and performed the “Bell Song” from Lakmé in the Apprentice Showcase.

Lindsay Russell is the winner of the grand prize at Florida Grand Opera’s Young Patronesses of Opera Vocal Competition and second prize at the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. She is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music where she performed the roles of Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and Gilda in Rigoletto.

Jack Swanson | tenor

CRAIG VANDERSCHAEGEN

In concert, she débuted at Carnegie Hall in Schubert’s Mass in G major and Mozart’s Missa brevis; sang the soprano solo in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 and Mozart’s Requiem with Yakima Symphony Orchestra; and sang the role of Musetta in La bohème in her début with New Jersey Festival Orchestra. She also sang the roles of Bettie/Bea in the world première of David Hanlon’s new opera After the Storm, with HGOco.

With an affinity for high lyric repertoire and some of opera’s most acrobatic arias, young American tenor Jack Swanson is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after voices in the opera world. During his studies at the University of Oklahoma and The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Jack has performed roles such as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, Conte Almaviva in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Eurimaco in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria.

As a young artist with the Seagle Music Colony, Jack performed the title role in Britten’s comic opera Albert Herring, and subsequently spent two years as an apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera. Last summer, he made his debut as Fenton in Verdi’s Falstaff for Des Moines Metro Opera. Other roles include Tonio (Donizetti’s La fille du régiment) and Count Belfiore (Mozart’s La finta giardiniera).

Equally comfortable on the concert and recital platforms, Jack Swanson has performed repertoire such as Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, as well as selections from Schumann’s Dichterliebe for his debut at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

24 | Houston Symphony

Jack has had great competition success and been the receipient of several prestigious awards in recent years, including first place in

Eschenbach Conducts Bruckner | Program Biographies

Florida Grand Opera’s Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition, The San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club Young Artists Competition, The National Opera Association Vocal Competition and The Hal Leonard Art Song Competition. He twice received the Richard Tucker Memorial award from Santa Fe Opera, and he was a finalist in both Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition and Fort Worth Opera’s McCammon Voice Competition.

Kyle Albertson | bass-baritone Bass-baritone Kyle Albertson is renowned for his versatile voice, confidence, style and ability to bring a character to life. Of his recent role debut as Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia at Fort Worth Opera, The Dallas Morning News raved, “With a drop-dead gorgeous bass-baritone, Kyle Albertson is younger than the usual Dr. Bartolo, but he’s no less delightful an object of mockery. When he turns on his falsetto to demonstrate an aria from his youth, he sounds like the famously out-of-tune Florence Foster Jenkins.”

This season, Kyle will make quite a large number of debuts, including a role début of Sharpless in Madama Butterfly at Northern Lights Music Festival; a house début at Lyric Opera of Chicago for its production of Das Rheingold; plus role and house debuts as Donner in Minnesota Opera’s first production of Das Rheingold, in which he also covers Wotan; Lieutenant Horstmayer in Silent Night with Opera San José, Magnifico in La Cenerentola with El Paso Opera and DeGuiche in Cyrano with Michigan Opera Theatre.

Recent operatic engagements include performances with The Metropolitan Opera as Masetto in Don Giovanni and for productions of Le nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte, Dialogues des Carmélites, The Merry Widow and two productions of Manon; with Houston Grand Opera, he performed the role of A Sacristan in Tosca and Mr. Rodriguez in Past the Checkpoints; the Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance with Atlanta Opera; a Dallas Opera debut as Zuniga in Carmen; a Fort Worth Opera debut singing Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Lyndon B. Johnson in the workshop of David T. Little’s opera JFK; and the roles of the Prison Warden in Dead Man Walking, Hobson in Peter Grimes and The Duke in Roméo et Juliette, all with Des Moines Metro Opera.

A sought-after concert artist, recent highlights of his concert career include solos in Verdi’s Requiem with The Händel Society of Dartmouth College; Papageno in Boston Youth Symphony’s Die Zauberflöte at Symphony Hall; a Carnegie Hall debut in Rutter’s Mass of the Children and excerpts from Messiah; and a concert version of Der Rosenkavalier with Christoph Eschenbach and the National Symphony.

OUR THANKS Shell Oil Company, a longtime leadership contributor to the Houston Symphony, underwrites the Houston Symphony’s Favorite Masters Series of classical subscription concerts as part of the company’s continuing commitment to the communities it serves.

Since it was founded, Shell Oil Company has invested more than $1 billion in charitable, cultural and educational organizations throughout Houston and the United States.

Shell’s support of culture and the arts encompasses a wide range of symphony, opera and theater groups, as well as the visual arts and science museums.

In recognition of its broad range of award-winning support, the Houston Symphony salutes Shell Oil Company and applauds its support of the Symphony and other arts and culture institutions.

Visit the Houston Symphony Store • In the lobby of Jones Hall for Symphony concerts • Open one hour prior to concerts, at intermission and after concerts You can also shop online at HoustonSymphony.org.

Merchandise can be mailed, picked-up at our Patron Services Center or claimed at one of your upcoming concerts at Jones Hall.

For more information, email us at store@houstonsymphony.org or call 713.238.1430.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 25

Program NOTES Symphony No. 1 in C minor (Vienna version)

Te Deum

Anton Bruckner’s musical talent appeared when he was a child, and he developed into a virtuoso organist during his teens. Becoming a composer, however, proved to be a slower journey. Through his work as a church musician, Bruckner created some sacred works in his 20s. But he wanted to go beyond that. At 30, Bruckner turned to a venerable Viennese teacher, Simon Sechter, for lessons in harmony and counterpoint. He gave up composition almost entirely for six years as he worked through Sechter’s exercises.

The Catholic church was Anton Bruckner’s refuge. His father died when he was 13, leaving his mother with five children to support.

She persuaded a nearby monastery to take in her oldest, Anton, as a resident choir member. For nearly all of the next three decades, his life revolved around religious settings—culminating in a 12-year stint as cathedral organist in Linz, Austria.

Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)

Sechter declared that Bruckner was the most diligent pupil he had ever had. Yet the budding composer’s thirst for knowledge wasn’t quenched. After completing Sechter’s course, he went to yet another teacher to study orchestration and musical form. During that time, Bruckner composed a symphony, but it remained under wraps until long after his death.

Only after that fledgling effort did he create what we know as his Symphony No. 1, a work whose sonorousness and broad scale anticipate Bruckner’s symphonies to come. He revised it nearly 30 years later, producing the version the Houston Symphony performs this weekend. Though Christoph Eschenbach conducted several Bruckner symphonies as the orchestra’s Music Director from 1988 to 1999, these concerts are his first Houston performances of the Symphony No. 1 and Te Deum.

The symphony opens with a brisk, stern march, and the theme’s drive and taut rhythms help unify the first movement. The woodwinds speak up as a group, relaxing the pace, and the strings respond with a lilting major-key melody that brings a more congenial mood—briefly. An outcry from the brasses sets the music on a more dramatic course, and the ferocity eventually inflames the other themes.

Some of that tension carries over into the slow movement’s opening, with its dark hues and heavy tread. Then three flutes appear, and their purity and gleam bring a transformation as flowing, harmonious melody pushes aside the symphony’s turbulence.

When the introduction’s motifs return, the glow of lyricism prevails.

Even though the scherzo is in a minor key, its buoyancy makes it hale and hearty rather than tempestuous, and an easygoing interlude complements that. But the finale’s fiery opening unleashes a new burst of drama, and the opening theme’s pounding rhythm galvanizes much of the movement. The strings inject a more peaceful note, and yet another theme gives a lyrical turn to that initial rhythm. But storms continue to break out, and only in the final moments does the music turn to a major key.

Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)

Bruckner’s work and his faith reinforced one another. His earliest known composition is a sacred piece he wrote as a youngster. When he became a professional church musician, that gave him a creative outlet, and Bruckner’s works ranged from short a cappella choral pieces to masses and a requiem.

After moving to Vienna in 1868 to teach at the city’s conservatory, Bruckner focused on composing symphonies. But the church remained in his thoughts. In the midst of crafting his Symphony No. 7, which the Houston Symphony performed last April, Bruckner created his thunderous Te Deum, based on an ancient Latin text praising God. Thanks to the music’s majesty and lyricism, Te Deum’s impact outweighs its 19-minute duration. The work unfolds in five sections without pauses: Te deum laudamus. The opening’s elemental force sets the work’s tone. The orchestra exerts a stark but sonorous power; the choir proclaims “We praise thee, o God,” in bold, unison phrases. When the soloists enter, invoking angels and cherubim, they bring the more melodious, personal tone they will contribute throughout the piece.

Te ergo quaesumus. This is a plea for God’s help. The tenor soloist opens it, his voice rising higher and imploringly higher. As the singers hail humanity’s redemption, the strings take on a gentle gleam, and a mellifluous violin solo enhances the celestial aura.

Aeterna fac. Voices and orchestra boom again as the choir begs God to lift humanity to eternal glory alongside the saints.

Salvum fac. The tenor returns to the fervent melody of “Te ergo quaesumus,” now in a prayer for salvation, and the violin solo again lends sweetness as the soloists salute God’s heritage. The work’s powerful opening strains return as the singers vow to magnify God’s glory.

In te Domine speravi. The Te Deum closes with a celebration. The music becomes bright and lively as the four soloists proclaim their trust in God. The choir launches into a flowing fugue that steadily gains richness and grandeur, and pealing trumpets usher the Te Deum to its resounding close.

The Houston Symphony plays the powerful Symphony No. 1 by Johannes Brahms, Bruckner’s Viennese contemporary, in May.

The Houston Symphony Chorus rejoins the orchestra in May to premiere Composer-in-Residence Gabriel Lena Frank’s Requiem.

The Instruments: 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani and strings

The Instruments: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, organ and strings —Steven Brown

26 | Houston Symphony

THE PINES of ROME APRIL 20, 22, 23 Vasily Petrenko, conductor Elina Vähälä, violin Verdi: Overture to Un giorno di regna John Corigliano: The Red Violin Concerto Respighi: The Fountains of Rome Respighi: The Pines of Rome

Elina Vähälä, violin

Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä performs John Corigliano’s The Red Violin Concerto, based on the composer’s Oscar®-winning film score. Acclaimed Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko also leads the orchestra in two technicolor tone poems by Respighi, The Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.

Tickets: from $25 Purchase your tickets today! houstonsymphony.org | (713) 224-7575

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FEATURED PROGRAM

TCHAIKOVSKY’S PATHÉTIQUE Thursday Saturday Sunday

March 9, 2017 March 11, 2017 March 12, 2017

8pm 8pm 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Fabien Gabel, conductor Ingrid Fliter, piano

Did you know?

Mendelssohn

Die Hebriden (The Hebrides), Opus 26

ca. 10

Mendelssohn

Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Opus 25 I Molto Allegro con fuoco— II Andante— III Presto—Molto Allegro e vivace

ca. 20

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

Tchaikovsky

28 | Houston Symphony

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Opus 74 (Pathétique) I Adagio—Allegro non troppo—Andante II Allegro con grazia III Allegro molto vivace IV Finale: Adagio lamentoso

ca. 45

• Tchaikovsky greatly appreciated Mendelssohn’s music, and in his music review articles of the 1870s, he often stood up for Mendelssohn against his detractors.

• Tchaikovsky entitled his Symphony No. 6 The Passionate Symphony, employing a Russian word, Pateticheskaya, meaning “passionate” or “emotional,” that was then mistranslated into French as pathétique.

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique | Program Biographies

FROST BANK GOLD CLASSICS

Program BIOGRAPHIES

These performances are generously supported in part by: Guarantor Mr. John N. Neighbors Underwriter

The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham.

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.

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.

Enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

This concert is being recorded for future broadcasts on Houston Public Media News 88.7 airing on Sundays at 8pm and streaming online at houstonpublicmedia.org.

Fabien Gabel | conductor Recognized internationally as one of the stars of the new generation, Fabien Gabel is a regular guest conductor of major orchestras in Europe, North America and Asia. He has been music director of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra since 2013.

In this season and next, he makes return engagements with many of the world’s leading orchestras from Seoul to Salzburg. He will also conduct Hamlet at the Lausanne Opera.

Orchestras he has guest conducted include the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester in Hamburg, Staatskappelle Dresden, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic and Orchestra dell’Accademia Santa Cecilia di Roma.

Fabien Gabel has worked with soloists, including Emanuel Ax, Radu Lupu, Christian Tetzlaff, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Alina Pogostkina, Julian Steckel, Johannes Moser, Antônio Meneses, Marc-André Hamelin, Beatrice Rana, Gautier Capuçon, Simone Lamsma, Xavier de Maistre, Jennifer Larmore, Measha Bruggergosman, Danielle de Niese, Natalie Dessay and MarieNicole Lemieux.

Fabien first attracted international attention in 2004 when he won the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition in London, which subsequently led to his appointment as the London Symphony Orchestra’s assistant conductor for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. Since then, the LSO has engaged him regularly as a guest conductor.

He made his professional conducting debut in 2003 with the Orchestre National de France and has since returned frequently. He now regularly conducts this orchestra in subscription concerts in Paris and recently recorded a French opera aria CD with the orchestra and mezzo Marie-Nicole Lemieux (Naïve).

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of Houston’s signature institutions and a member of the Houston Symphony’s donor family for more than 20 years. It is a leading underwriter of the Symphony’s student concerts, in keeping with its longstanding commitment to education.

Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $400 million to the youth of Texas. It has presented more than 16,000 scholarships since the first was awarded in 1957, and more than 2,200 students are currently on Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarships, attending more than 80 different colleges and universities. Its commitment to education extends to grants, Junior Market Show and School Art Auction Exhibitors as well as participants in the famous Calf Scramble.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a wonderful supporter of the Houston Symphony and arts education throughout the city.

Born in Paris and a member of a family of accomplished musicians, Fabien Gabel began studying trumpet at age 6, honing his skills at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, which awarded him a First Prize in trumpet in 1996, and later at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. He went on to play in various Parisian orchestras under the direction of prominent conductors such as Pierre Boulez, Sir Colin Davis, Riccardo Muti, Seiji Ozawa, Simon Rattle and Bernard Haitink. In 2002, Fabien pursued his interest in conducting at the Aspen Music Festival, where he studied with David Zinman, who invited him to appear as a guest conductor at the Festival in 2009. He has studied with Bernard Haitink, Sir Colin Davis and Paavo Järvi.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 29

SUSSIE AHLBURG

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

Program NOTES

Ingrid Fliter | piano

Die Hebriden (The Hebrides), Opus 26 Argentine pianist Ingrid Fliter has won the admiration and hearts of audiences around the world for her passionate, thoughtful and sensitive music making. Winner of the 2006 Gilmore Artist Award, she is one of only a handful of pianists and the only woman to have received this honor.

She divides her time between North America and Europe.

Ingrid made her American orchestral debut with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra just days after winning the Gilmore Award. Since then, she has appeared with the country’s leading orchestras and music festivals and was the featured soloist on the Youth Orchestra of the Americas 2015 Canadian tour. As a recitalist, she has performed in prestigious venues in New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver and Detroit, as well as for the Van Cliburn Foundation in Fort Worth. In Europe and Asia, Ingrid has performed in recital and with leading orchestras and music festivals.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1973, Ingrid Fliter began her piano studies in Argentina. In 1992, she moved to Europe. She began playing public recitals at age 11 and made her professional orchestra debut at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires at age 16. Already the winner of several Argentine competitions, she won prizes at the Città di Cantu International Piano and Orchestra Competition and the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy, and in 2000, was awarded the silver medal at the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. She has been teaching at the Imola International Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestro” since 2015.

Ingrid recorded both Chopin concertos with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Jun Märkl, and the complete Chopin Preludes (Linn Records). Her two all-Chopin recordings (EMI) earned her the reputation as one of the pre-eminent interpreters of that composer while her most recent EMI recording is an all-Beethoven CD. Live recordings of works by Beethoven and Chopin at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as a DVD of a recital at the Miami International Piano Festival, are available on VAI Audio. Her most recent recording features the first Mendelssohn and Schumann concertos with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Linn Records).

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)

Even when Felix Mendelssohn took a vacation, his creativity kept percolating. As a 20-year-old who already had earned international acclaim, he capped off his first tour of Britain with a sightseeing trip through England and Scotland. The rugged Hebrides islands off Scotland affected him “extraordinarily,” he wrote home to Germany. Rather than explain in words, Mendelssohn wrote out two lines of music that had come to him on the spot: the restless theme that would eventually open The Hebrides.

The next day’s itinerary took Mendelssohn to Staffa, an uninhabited island bounded by towering cliffs. On the way, a storm kicked up, buffeting the boat and making Mendelssohn seasick. “He is on better terms with the sea as a musician than as an individual or a stomach,” Mendelssohn’s traveling companion wrote. The tourists ventured through an opening in Staffa’s cliffs to enter the capacious Fingal’s Cave. The 60-foot-high cavern enveloped visitors in a “lurking gloom of purple,” as an earlier visitor, poet John Keats, described it. “For solemnity and grandeur,” Keats added, “it far surpasses the finest cathedral.”

Two years after Mendelssohn returned home, he completed The Hebrides, building a 10-minute tone-painting from that musical snippet he dreamed up in Scotland. The title stumped him, though.

He also called the work Fingal’s Cave.

Subdued colors evoke a grey Scottish sky, and the strings’ undulating lines conjure up restless waters. Brief crescendos hint at turbulence in the offing, and the woodwinds for a moment sing out plaintively. The violins continue murmuring even as a fervent melody wells up from the cellos: Some commentators think it suggests a human in the midst of the scene, beholding nature’s spectacle. When the melody moves up to the violins, the music finds a few moments of sweetness and calm.

The strings churn up the first of the squalls that Mendelssohn will unleash. It quickly subsides, but a bit of its agitation carries over into staccato outbursts from the woodwinds—which to some listeners suggest sea birds’ cries. As the orchestra begins another buildup, the oboes stand apart: Composer Richard Wagner said their wail evoked the wind howling above the waves.

Stillness makes another brief return, and the clarinets whisper the work’s lyrical theme. Then the orchestra unleashes the work’s climactic tempest. Though a brief recollection of the opening ends The Hebrides quietly, it sounds as though another storm could break out any moment.

The Houston Symphony has more tone-painting in store for April, when it performs Respighi’s The Pines of Rome and The Fountains of Rome.

The Instruments: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings The printed music for this work was donated by G. Henle Verlag.

30 | Houston Symphony

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique | Program Notes

Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Opus 25

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Opus 74 (Pathétique)

During the Italian visit that inspired Mendelssohn’s luminous Symphony No. 4, ideas for a piano concerto also sprang into his head. On his way home to Berlin, he completed his Concerto No. 1 in a burst of work in Munich, Germany. An impending concert was the main prod, but Munich offered a second motivation: Delphine von Schauroth, a 17-year-old piano prodigy.

As he sailed home from concerts in the United States, Tchaikovsky envisioned a symphony that would embody confidence, love, disappointment and death. Its subtitle: Life. Back in Russia, he started working on it, then quit in frustration. He feared his talents had dried up.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)

Delphine’s talents and attractiveness had snared Mendelssohn’s attention. He reported home that she was “slim, blond, blue-eyed ... and somewhat aristocratic,” and he said her piano playing “sparkled with fire.” Mendelssohn even let her contribute a brief passage to the concerto’s piano part, though he never identified it beyond saying it was “thunderous.” The two young people spent much time together, although no romance developed. Even so, Mendelssohn dedicated the concerto to Delphine, and the fiery, melodious piece became one of his concert warhorses.

The orchestra begins quietly, but it quickly swells, and its crescendo sets up the soloist’s muscle-flexing entrance. The piano soon plunges into the first movement’s main theme, a ringing, rumbling rush of chords and filigree. When the orchestra takes over the theme, the keyboard responds with even flashier pyrotechnics.

After a particularly ringing outburst, the piano changes tack, singing out the first of the mellifluous tunes that give the concerto its poetic side. As the music’s passions build, the concerto’s fierce opening theme reasserts itself. Its drive and turbulence dominate the rest of the movement.

Melody takes over in the Andante. The violas and cellos introduce the simple, graceful theme, whose lilt comes as a balm after the first movement’s theatrics. The piano repeats the theme just as simply, then surrounds it with embroideries that make its sweetness even more compelling.

A fanfare from the trumpets and horns launches an orchestral crescendo that, like the one at the concerto’s beginning, breaks off in the face of the soloist’s flourishes. The piano, also as it did at the opening, charges into a bold, dynamic theme. But this one, thanks to its major key and bright color, exudes high spirits. That sets the tone for the finale, and the solo part ratchets up the excitement when it sprints into the whirlwind second theme. The orchestra adds a sparkling backdrop to the soloist’s acrobatics, and after a brief reminiscence of the first movement’s agitation, the soloist leads a dash to the close.

Piano virtuosity will take a more explosive form when the Houston Symphony and soloist Yefim Bronfman perform Bartók’s Concerto No. 2 in May. The Instruments: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)

A few months later, new music began percolating in Tchaikovsky’s mind. Returning home from a tour, he sketched the first movement of a symphony and mapped out the rest—all in four days. “You cannot imagine what bliss I feel, assured that my time has not yet passed and that I can still work,” he told his favorite nephew. After more interruptions for more concerts, which brought him waves of acclaim, Tchaikovsky completed his Symphony No. 6.

Some historians think his Life program figures in, since this work’s finale fades out at the close, much as the death-themed close of Life would have. In any case, the Pathétique unleashes powerful emotions—the real connotation of the original Russian subtitle, rather than anything “pathetic.”

The symphony rises from darkness. A bassoon intones the theme that will propel the first movement; its essence is a four-note motif containing two steps up, then one down. At first, it’s somber.

Then the strings give it a new form, faster-paced and restless. The symphony’s first flurry of tension gives way as the violins sing out one of Tchaikovsky’s most ardent, surging melodies. Then an explosive chord sets off turmoil, and a fierce incarnation of that four-note pattern is the driving force. The storm climaxes as the strings and brasses plunge into a sonic abyss. But the violin melody asserts itself, bringing a glow, and the movement ends quietly. For the time being, anguish is purged.

Tchaikovsky titled the third movement “Waltz,” but it has five beats to a measure, rather than the usual three. That yields an extra fluidity, and the music’s airiness and lilt help it exude carefree charm. A more pensive mood breaks in, but the contentment wins out. A bustle of excitement launches the third movement, and the orchestra launches into a brisk march that builds to a wildly exultant finish.

The excitement vanishes when the strings dig into the wrenching downward phrase that opens the finale. Tchaikovsky labeled it Adagio lamentoso—lamenting. The downcast theme that opens the movement leads to a spacious, sonorous one that strives upward.

Both build into outcries, but neither finds a resolution, and the symphony dies out into the darkness that began it.

The Houston Symphony performs another cataclysmic Russian work, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, in May. The Instruments: 3 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion and strings —Steven Brown The printed music for this work was donated by Mr. Charles K. Sanders.

FEATURED PROGRAM

MUSIC FOR HUMANS BEN FOLDS Thursday

March 16, 2017

7:30pm

Jones Hall

Steven Reineke, conductor

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE. THERE WILL BE ONE INTERMISSION.

Did you know?

• Ben has appeared as a guest performer at the White House on two separate occasions: President Obama’s Second Inauguration (2013) and First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Mother’s Day Celebration (2015).

32 | Houston Symphony

Ben Folds | Program Biography

Program BIOGRAPHY Steven Reineke | conductor

Please see Steven Reineke's biography on page 35.

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.

Ben Folds | vocalist Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation.

He’s spent over a decade sharing the stage with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras—from Sydney, Australia to The Kennedy Center—performing his pop hits and his critically acclaimed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.

For five seasons, he was a judge on the popular NBC series The Sing Off, which catapulted the art of a cappella into the national spotlight and helped launch the careers of numerous a cappella groups.

Throughout his career, Ben has created an enormous body of genre-bending musical art that includes pop albums as the front man for Ben Folds Five, multiple solo rock albums and unique collaborative records with artists from Sara Bareilles and Regina Spektor to Weird Al and William Shatner. His most recent album is a blend of pop and classical original works that soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts.

This season, Ben is back to pounding pianos with cross country solo touring reminiscent of his earliest solo tours, where he defied skeptics by delivering a high energy rock performance using the only the intimacy of a piano. He also continues performing with symphonies, underscoring at each show a message about the cultural importance and relevance of orchestras to all communities.

In addition to his self-described love of performing and making music “for humans,” Ben is an avid photographer and a member of the distinguished Sony Artisans of Imagery. He recently completed an assignment as a photo editor for National Geographic.

An advocate for music education and music therapy, Ben is a member of the Artist Committee of the Americans for the Arts, and he serves on the Nashville Symphony Board of Directors.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 33

FEATURED PROGRAM

PINK MARTINI RETURNS Friday Saturday Sunday

March 17, 2017 March 18, 2017 March 19, 2017

8 pm 8 pm 7:30pm

Steven Reineke, conductor Thomas M. Lauderdale, piano China Forbes, vocals Ari Shapiro, guest vocals Gavin Bondy, trumpet Achilles Liarmakopoulos, trombone Philip Emilio Baker, upright bass

Jones Hall

Dan Faehnle, guitar Nicholas Crosa, violin Timothy Nishimoto, vocals & percussion Brian Davis, congas & percussion Miguel Bernal, congas & percussion Reinhardt Melz, drums & percussion

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED FROM THE STAGE. THERE WILL BE ONE INTERMISSION.

Did you know?

• Pink Martini’s newest studio album, Je dis oui!, features vocals by China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, fashion guru Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat, and Rufus Wainwright. The 15 tracks on the album span eight languages, affirming the band’s 22-year history of global inclusivity and collaborative spirit.

34 | Houston Symphony

Pink Martini Returns | Program Biographies

Program BIOGRAPHIES

Steven Reineke | conductor These performances are generously supported in part by:

Underwriter Beth Madison

MICHAEL TAMMARO

Sponsor Evan B. Glick

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.

Steven Reineke’s boundless enthusiasm and exceptional artistry have made him one of the nation’s most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers. Steven is the Houston Symphony’s Principal POPS Conductor Designate, music director of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, principal pops conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and principal pops conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

He previously held the posts of principal pops conductor of the Long Beach Symphony and Modesto Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Steven is a frequent guest conductor with The Philadelphia Orchestra and has been on the podium with the Boston Pops, The Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia. His extensive North American conducting appearances include San Francisco, Seattle, Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Ottawa (National Arts Centre), Detroit, Milwaukee and Calgary.

On stage, Steven has created programs and collaborated with a range of leading artists from Hip Hop, Broadway, television and rock, including Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Sutton Foster, Megan Hilty, Cheyenne Jackson, Wayne Brady, Peter Frampton and Ben Folds, among others.

As the creator of more than 100 orchestral arrangements for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Steven’s work has been performed worldwide and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati Pops Orchestra recordings on the Telarc label. His symphonic works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Casey at the Bat are frequently performed in North America, including performances by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His Sun Valley Festival Fanfare commemorated the Sun Valley Summer Symphony’s pavilion, and his Festival Te Deum and Swan’s Island Sojourn were debuted by the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the C.L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands worldwide.

A native of Ohio, Steven is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, where he earned bachelor of music degrees with honors in both trumpet performance and music composition. He currently resides in New York City with his husband, Eric Gabbard.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 35

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

Pink Martini | vocalists

One year later, Thomas called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate who was living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini.

They began to write songs together. Their first song, “Sympathique,” became an overnight sensation in France, was nominated for Song of the Year at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards, and to this day remains a mantra (“Je ne veux pas travailler” or “I don’t want to work”) for striking French workers. Says Thomas, “We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America—the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world, composed of people of every country, every language, every religion.”

Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America. Pink Martini made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998 under the direction of Norman Leyden. Since then, the band has played with more than 50 orchestras around the world, including multiple engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Other appearances include the grand opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, with return sold-out engagements for New Year’s Eve 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2011; four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall; the opening party of the remodeled Museum of Modern Art in New York City; the Governor’s Ball at the 80th Annual Academy Awards in 2008; the opening of the 2008 Sydney Festival in Australia; multiple sold-out appearances at the Montreal Jazz Festival; two sold-out concerts at Paris’ L’Olympia Theatre in 2011; and Paris fashion house Lanvin’s 10-year anniversary celebration for designer Alber Elbaz in 2012. In its 20th year, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

36 | Houston Symphony

Thomas Lauderdale was raised in rural Indiana and began piano lessons at age 6. When his family moved to Portland in 1982, he began studying with Sylvia Killman, who remains his coach and mentor today. At age 14, he made his first appearance with the Oregon Symphony under the direction of Norman Leyden.

AUTUMN DE WILDE

In 1994, in his hometown of Portland, OR, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking that one day he would run for mayor. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun, but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly.

Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world—crossing genres of classical, jazz and oldfashioned pop—and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini to provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks.

Thomas Lauderdale | vocalist

Active in Oregon politics since he was student body president at Grant High School, Thomas served under Portland Mayor Bud Clark and Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt. In 1991, he worked under Portland City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury on the drafting and passage of the city’s civil rights ordinance. He graduated with honors from Harvard with a degree in history and literature in 1992. He spent most of his collegiate years, however, in cocktail dresses, taking on the role of “cruise director,” throwing waltzes with live orchestras and ice sculptures, disco masquerades and operating a Tuesday night coffeehouse called Café Mardi.

Instead of running for political office, Thomas founded Pink Martini in 1994 to play political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment and affordable housing.

Now in its 23rd year, Pink Martini and Thomas Lauderdale are Oregon’s “musical ambassadors to the world,” performing a multilingual repertoire on concert stages from Carnegie Hall to the

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Hollywood Bowl to The Royal Albert Hall, and with more than 50 symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas. The band has released nine albums on its own label, Heinz Records, including “Dream a Little Dream,” a collaboration with The von Trapps.

Thomas currently serves on the boards of the Oregon Symphony and Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Oregon.

China Forbes | vocalist

AUTUMN DE WILDE

China Forbes, born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduated cum laude from Harvard and was awarded the Jonathan Levy Award for acting.

Appearances in New York regional theatre and off-off Broadway productions earned China her Equity card. She put her first band together in 1994 and played regularly at CBGB’s Gallery, Mercury Lounge and Brownies.

Her first solo album, Love Handle, was released in 1995, and she was chosen to sing “Ordinary Girl,” the theme song to the TV show Clueless.

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That’s when she was plucked from New York by Harvard classmate Thomas Lauderdale to sing with Pink Martini. The two have since written many of Pink Martini’s most beloved songs, including “Sympathique,” “Lilly,” “Clementine,” “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love,” “Over the Valley” and, most recently, “A Snowglobe Christmas,” which can be heard on Pink Martini’s holiday album Joy to the World. Her original song “Hey Eugene” is the title track of Pink Martini’s third album, and many of her songs can also be heard on television and film. She sang “Que Sera Sera” over the opening and closing credits of Jane Campion’s film, In the Cut, and her “The Northern Line” appears at the end of sister Maya Forbes’ directorial debut of Infinitely Polar Bear (Sony Pictures).

With Pink Martini, China has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Later… with Jools Holland. She has performed songs in more than 12 languages and has sung duets with Michael Feinstein, Jimmy Scott, Georges Moustaki, Henri Salvador, Saori Yuki, Faith Prince, Carol Channing and Rufus Wainwright in venues from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Grand Rex in Paris. Her second solo album,’78, (Heinz Records) is a collection of autobiographical folk-rock songs.

Several years ago, China took a leave of absence from Pink Martini to undergo surgery on her vocal chords and to spend time with her son. Thankfully, all went very well, and she is thrilled to be back on stage every chance she gets.

Let’s CELEBRATE Mike!

You won’t want to miss Mike Krajewski’s final two weekends as Principal POPS Conductor of the Houston Symphony. Please join us to thank Mike for 15 seasons of amazing POPS programs!

BOND & BEYOND April 28, 29, 8:00 PM April 30, 7:30 PM

CLASSICAL BROADWAY May 26, 27, 8:00 PM May 28, 7:30 PM

Michael Krajewski, conductor Debbie Gravitte, vocalist

Michael Krajewski, conductor Lisa Vroman, vocalist Doug LaBrecque, vocalist Rachel York, vocalist Houston Symphony Chorus — Betsy Cook Weber, director

3

YEARS OF BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES Reflecting upon the Houston Symphony’s Beethoven Cycle

I NT RO D U C TI O N

Beginning in the 2014–15 season, Andrés and the orchestra embarked upon a three-season cycle of all nine Beethoven symphonies. This month, we complete the cycle with Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 6 and 7. Exploring these works in a performance cycle allows Andrés, the orchestra and the audience to reach deeper layers of appreciation for, understanding of, the composer’s symphonic repertoire.

With the Houston Symphony’s Beethoven cycle nearing completion, two Symphony musicians—Eric Halen and Joan DerHovsepian—along with two generous supporters who helped make the Beethoven cycle possible—Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn—recently shared their reflections on, and inspirations from, the Houston Symphony’s performance of Beethoven’s symphonies. We hope you enjoy their perspectives, and we encourage you to share your own with us via the Houston Symphony’s Facebook (HoustonSymphony) or Twitter pages (@HouSymphony).

MUSICIAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ERIC ARBITER

38 | Houston Symphony

Eric Halen

Joan DerHovsepian

Beethoven is perhaps the most important and influential composer in the history of classical music.

While he was a young man, Haydn and Mozart were alive, and they were important influences. Among later colleagues were Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann, heavily influenced by Beethoven. By hearing the complete cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies, we can hear the work of the composer credited with taking music from the Classical period into the Romantic period. The scope of the changes in Beethoven’s style and musical language become much more clear when we hear them near to one another.

Performing the Beethoven cycle provided a deeper understanding for both the audience and performers as we experienced together the life and journey of one of the greatest composers.

We want to experience a Beethoven cycle for the same reasons many of us recently went to the MFAH to view the Degas retrospective. People are interested in seeing the development of the creative process of a genius! This set of symphonies is one of the highest artistic achievements of mankind. If listeners are moved by Beethoven’s music, I hope they will be compelled to learn about his life, the joys and tragedies he encountered, and how they influenced his composing at the time.

Co-Concertmaster, Ellen E. Kelley Chair

On top of that, performing the Beethoven cycle gave us, as musicians, a chance to get to know our new music director’s approach to this important repertoire. I always enjoy hearing new points of view with works we have performed many times. Interesting interpretations guide our attention to different aspects of the work, allowing us to experience them in new ways. One of the matters Andrés Orozco-Estrada explored in this cycle is the metronome marks that Beethoven left behind for his symphonies. Many find the marks to be too fast, and they try to find reasons to explain them away. Maestro Orozco-Estrada is trying to come close to them, exploring with us what clues they leave behind as to the character Beethoven had in mind for these works (without being a slave to the metronome, of course).

The new perspective this brings is very interesting. The musicians and audience together have an opportunity to see what they think. Were Beethoven’s markings too fast? Do you find them interesting, or even revealing? Are we finding new elements to present in the interpretation, or not? It’s a worthwhile exploration!

Associate Principal Viola

Beethoven’s nine symphonies were composed between the years 1800 and 1824—not a large span of time. When I hear Beethoven’s works in concentration, as we have performed them over these three seasons, I am perpetually astonished by the pace of his journey of composition.

Beethoven begins his early symphonies standing side-by-side with classical Mozart or Haydn. He ends with the great Ninth Symphony, which in some moments sounds as modern to me as music composed today. Even through the darkness of his impending and eventual deafness, Beethoven dared to explore the limitless possibilities of what a symphonic work could be, both in its technical demands for the performers and its profound statement of humankind’s place in the world. The capacity of Beethoven’s music to elevate, from the early works to the sublime late, continually amazes me.

I’ve always felt there is a greater intimacy that lives in an ensemble after the opportunity to perform a cycle. The composer’s style and language become further refined by the group and a freedom in performance emerges. A wind player

may do something new in the moment and everyone will follow, or a string section can suddenly play a timing more refined and beautifully synchronized than ever before.

We are fortunate to have a music director who loves to exercise the spontaneity possible in live performance. The ability of an ensemble to respond to one another spur-of-the-moment is most exciting for those of us on stage!

Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Houston Symphony Supporters

Beethoven is Stephen’s favorite composer by far, and he’s close to the top of the list for Mariglyn. We are in heaven when Andrés conducts two Beethoven symphonies at one concert.

We think Andrés has brought the Houston Symphony to a new level in general, but even more so through the Beethoven cycle of symphonies. We are not music scholars, but in all cases, these performances have been as good as any we have ever heard.

His nuances have given us special insight into how a symphony can be interpreted based on the written music, often with subtle variations.

It is also nice to hear Beethoven symphonies that are not played as often, especially the First and Fourth Symphonies. Although we love the Sixth (Pastoral), we are just as much looking forward to the Seventh Symphony on the same program this month. Every year, we invite our friends to a concert and dinner, and this year, for the second year in a row, we are inviting them to a Beethoven symphony double-header.

Looking back on the three-season cycle thus far, it is so difficult to pick a favorite moment! If we must, we’d pick the concert last March featuring Beethoven’s Second and Eighth Symphonies. What made that concert particularly memorable was Principal Viola Wayne Brooks’ performance of Gabriela Lena Frank’s tone poem for viola and orchestra, La Llorona.

The combination of this work, written specifically for Wayne, with two special Beethoven Symphonies made that concert our all-time favorite.

SPONSORS The Houston Symphony’s presentation of Beethoven 6 & 7 on March 23-26, 2017 and Beethoven’s Fidelio on March 31 and April 2, 2017 are generously supported in part by:

RAND G ROUP

Frost Bank Gold Classics

Diamond Guarantor Houston Symphony Endowment Guarantor Janet F. Clark Underwriter The Humphreys Foundation

Great Performers Series

Partner Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Carol & Kamal Sandarusi The Vaughn Foundation Supporter Betty & Gene McDavid

Sponsor Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Nancy & Robert Peiser

The Houston Symphony also recognizes the generous supporters of our three years of Beethoven series during our 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons:

RAND G ROUP

Shell Favorite Masters Series

Frost Bank Gold Classics

Diamond Guarantor Houston Symphony Endowment Guarantor Janet F. Clark Performances of Concertmaster Frank Huang are presented in memory of Max Levine Underwriter The Humphreys Foundation Drs. M. S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi / Kalsi Engineering, Inc. Medistar Corporation Mr. John N. Neighbors Beverly Johnson, Ralph Wyman and Jim Foti, and Thane and Nicole Wyman in memory of Winthrop Wyman Sponsor Baker Botts L.L.P. Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn in honor of the Musicians of the Houston Symphony

Great Performers Series

Sponsor

(continued)

Dr. Rita Justice Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Nancy & Robert Peiser Partner The Estate of Terence Murphree

Carol & Kamal Sandarusi Tad & Suzanne Smith The Vaughn Foundation Dede & Connie Weil Supporter Vada & Walter Boyle Christina & Mark Hanson Betty & Gene McDavid Aaron Jussi Thomas & Jennifer Chang John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer VRTC Benefactor Ms. Lynne Lipsitz

InTUNE — March 2017 | 39

FEATURED PROGRAM

BEETHOVEN 6 & 7 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

March 23, 2017 March 24, 2017 March 25, 2017 March 26, 2017

8pm 8pm 8pm 2:30pm

Sugar Land Baptist Church Jones Hall Jones Hall Jones Hall

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor

Did you know?

Beethoven

Symphony No. 6 in F major, Opus 68 (Pastoral) I Awakening of cheerful feelings on arriving in the country: Allegro non troppo II Scene by the brook: Andante molto mosso III Merry assembly of country folk: Allegro— IV Thunderstorm: Allegro— V Shepherd’s song; Happy, grateful feelings after the storm: Allegretto

ca. 39

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

Beethoven

40 | Houston Symphony

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92 I Poco sostenuto—Vivace II Allegretto III Presto—Assai meno presto—Presto IV Allegro con brio

ca. 36

• Inspired by his love of nature, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral) was among his most influential achievements.

• Richard Wagner said of Beethoven’s No. 7, “If anyone plays the Seventh, tables and benches, cans and cups, the grandmother, the blind and the lame, aye, the children in the cradle fall to dancing.”

Beethoven 6 & 7 | Program Biography

RAND

Program BIOGRAPHY

G ROUP

GREAT PERFORMERS SERIES

These performances are generously supported in part by:

Andrés Orozco-Estrada | conductor

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

Program NOTES

Diamond Guarantor Houston Symphony Endowment Sponsor Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Nancy & Robert Peiser Partner Carol & Kamal Sandarusi

The Sugar Land Series is supported in part by: Partner Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Griswold Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob

The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham.

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.

Enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

This concert is being recorded for future broadcasts on Houston Public Media News 88.7 airing on Sundays at 8pm and streaming online at houstonpublicmedia.org.

Symphony No. 6 in F major, Opus 68 (Pastoral) Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Beethoven loved the outdoors. Each summer, he rented lodging in one of the towns outside Vienna, and long walks in the countryside rejuvenated him.

Before one holiday, he told a friend, “How delighted I shall be to ramble for a while through bushes, woods, under trees, through grass and around rocks.

No one can love the country as much as I do. For surely woods, trees and rocks produce the echo which man desires to hear.” To another friend, “It is as if every tree in the countryside spoke to me, saying ‘Holy! Holy!’ In the forest, enchantment! Who can express it all?”

Beethoven, that’s who. His Symphony No. 6 carries a subtitle: “Pastoral Symphony or Memories of Country Life—More the Expression of Feeling Than Tone-Painting.” To help listeners get on his wavelength, Beethoven gave each movement a title.

The awakening of cheerful feelings on arriving in the countryside.

The strings play an airy, easygoing phrase, then linger on its last chord. Those four measures supply most of the fabric for the first movement—a flow of lilting, harmonious music that never falls prey to shadows or turbulence. More themes come into play, but they fit in so smoothly they seem to belong to the same blossoming of sound.

Scene by a brook. The strings’ rippling phrases evoke flowing waters, and the motion continues almost unbroken through the movement; a serene, spacious melody floats above. Near the end, Beethoven brings birds into the scene, labeling them in the score: The flute portrays the nightingale; the oboe plays the quail; and the clarinet is the cuckoo.

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InTUNE — March 2017 | 41

Program NOTES , continued

Merry gathering of the country folk. The strings launch into a breezy, swinging dance, and the rest of the orchestra soon joins in.

The oboe takes off on a buoyant melody. Then the orchestra digs into a tune that’s as vigorous and sturdy as a lusty dance of peasants.

Thunderstorm. A rumble from the cello and basses interrupts the celebration, and the orchestra unleashes a tempest. The kettledrums and trombones, playing for their first time in the symphony, help detonate the thunder. The violins’ quick upward flashes depict lightning. As the storm fades, the winds play a hymnlike phrase that Beethoven labeled on a manuscript: “Lord, we thank thee.”

Shepherd’s song. Happy and thankful feelings after the storm.

The violins sing out a peaceful, harmonious tune, and its warmth suffuses the finale. Each time the melody reappears, the orchestra brings it new grace and richness. After reaching a peak of fervor, the music subsides into a final cadence that could almost be an “Amen.”

The Instruments: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani and strings The printed music for this work was donated by Fiddle & Bow Music Company

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92

but they enhance the drive and snappiness. When the orchestra grows quiet, that just sets up its next burst of exuberance.

The Allegretto’s minor key and muted tone change the mood. The first chords establish a simple rhythm that will pulsate gently but insistently through virtually the entire movement. The violas and cello sing out a plaintive melody above it; the winds bring a warmer theme when the music turns to a major key. The lyricism and the obsessive rhythm make a haunting combination.

Brightness and speed return in the third movement, where Beethoven plays off the staccato main theme against a smooth, lilting tune spotlighting the winds. Then the orchestra fires off the finale’s opening: four notes in a lusty rhythm, then four more repeating it. The strings sprint into a theme full of swirling motion, an exuberant march adds to the jubilation, and the symphony bounds to its finish.

The Houston Symphony caps off its Beethoven cycle next weekend with his operatic hymn to heroism, Fidelio.

The Instruments: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings —Steven Brown The printed music for this work was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Asofsky

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

In the Seventh, the orchestra sometimes does virtually nothing except pound out rhythm. That’s especially powerful amid the sweep of the finale—where, Wagner wrote, “the purely rhythmical movement … celebrates its orgies.”

In

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IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

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BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR CONCERTO

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January 6, 7, 8

Coral Kingdoms & Empires of Ice January 10 January 12, 14, 15

GERSHWIN & RACHMANINOFF

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January 27, 28, 29

JULIE SOEFER

Unlike Beethoven’s Pastoral, his Seventh has no extra-musical inspiration. But the rhythmic life that animates every movement has sent other musicians on flights of imagination, yielding their own ideas to fill the gap. Richard Wagner wrote that the Seventh embodies “the blissful insolence of joy, which snatches us away with bacchanalian delight and bears us through the roomy space of nature, through all the streams and seas of life, shouting in glad self-consciousness. … This symphony is the apotheosis of dance itself.”

Andrés Orozco–Estrada, Music Director

Hearing the symphony stir to life is a treat. The first chord’s richness hints that a powerful work is in store, and the oboe begins a spacious, simple melody. The strings sneak into action, playing scales that move crisply upward. The oboe launches into another tune, and this one has a bit of a lilt. The orchestra builds all these ingredients to a ringing fortissimo, then the music tapers off to simple rhythms tapped out by violins and winds in turn.

The tapping accelerates, and the orchestra is off and running—or dancing, as Wagner would say.

Did you know you can read about upcoming performances and guest artists online each month? Before you head to the concert, check out artist biographies and program notes, as well as our editorial features!

The flute introduces the buoyant, snappy main tune, and the rest of the orchestra soon takes it over with gusto. From there on, the music is all about vitality. The pace never pulls back for lyrical interludes. Beethoven throws a few other short themes into the mix,

To view the current issue of InTune, visit us online: houstonsymphony.org/magazine

42 | Houston Symphony

FEATURED PROGRAM

FIDELIO Friday Sunday

March 31, 2017 April 2, 2017

8pm 2pm

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor *Tara Faircloth, director *Rebecca von Lipinski, soprano (Leonore/Fidelio) *Russell Thomas, tenor (Florestan) Lauren Snouffer, soprano (Marzelline) *Nathan Stark, bass (Rocco) *Joshua Dennis, tenor (Jaquino) Beethoven

Jones Hall Alfred Walker, bass-baritone (Don Pizarro) Andrew Foster-Williams, bass-baritone (Don Fernando) Houston Symphony Chorus Chamber Choir — Betsy Cook Weber, director *Sarah Tundermann, lighting designer *Houston Symphony debut

Fidelio, Opus 72 Overture: Allegro—Adagio—Allegro Act One II Aria (Marzelline), O wär’ ich schon mit dir vereint: Andante con moto I Duet (Jaquino, Marzelline), Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein: Allegro III Quartet (Marzelline, Leonore, Rocco, Jaquino), Mir ist so wunderbar: Andante sostenuto IV Aria (Rocco), Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben: Allegro moderato V Trio (Rocco, Leonore, Marzelline), Gut, Sönchen, gut, hab’ immer Muth: Allegro, ma non troppo VI Marsch: Vivace VII Aria with Chorus (Pizarro), Ha! Welch ein Augenblick!: Allegro agitato VIII Duet (Pizarro, Rocco), Jetzt, Alter, hat es Eile!: Allegro con brio IX Recitative and Aria (Leonore): Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?: Allegro agitato—Adagio X Finale (Chorus, Leonore, Rocco, Marzelline, Jaquino, Pizarro), O welche lust, in freier Luft: Allegro, ma non troppo I N T E R M I S S I O N Act Two XI Introduction and Aria (Florestan), Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!: Grave XII Melodrama and Duet (Rocco, Leonore), Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben: Andante con moto XIII Trio (Florestan, Rocco, Leonore), Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten: Moderato XIV Quartet (Pizarro, Florestan, Leonore, Rocco), Er sterbe! Doch er soll erst wissen: Allegro XV Duet (Leonore, Florestan), O namenlose Freude!: Allegro vivace XVI Finale (Chorus, Don Fernando, Rocco, Pizarro, Leonore, Marzelline, Florestan, Jaquino), Heil sei dem Tag, Heil sei der Stunde: Allegro vivace

InTUNE — March 2017 | 43

FIDELIO

AN OPERA FOR TODAY B Y

T

A U R E L I E

he Houston Symphony’s semi-staged presentation of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, explores these timeless questions as we experience his powerful musical genius.

Florestan, a political prisoner whose fate is seemingly sealed by his nemesis Pizarro, awaits death. Yet his devoted wife, Leonore, goes to great lengths to find her husband in prison and set him free by disguising herself as a man, Fidelio. Such is her steadfast belief in righting injustice, Leonore/Fidelio intervenes to save a prisoner from death even though she isn’t sure that he is her husband. Her courage and determination triumph and are celebrated at the opera’s close. It is trademark Beethoven, filled with inspiration and power.

The music is everything

D E S M A R A I S

component to the stage design sets the atmosphere, frames the story and reflects the emotional content.

“The text is both spoken and projected at key moments in the opera. I’ve created a character who sits outside of the action, but provides comments and thoughtful reflection on the events we see unfolding on the stage. The narration is an amalgam of excerpts from iconic speeches, poetry and literature found in our modern history. Excerpts range from Mahatma Gandhi, to Martin Luther King Jr. to J.R.R. Tolkien and Edna St. Vincent Millay. One of the most enjoyable parts of my job so far has been to pinpoint the most beautifully appropriate sentiment and set it within the framework of Beethoven’s masterful composition.”

“The rose

Ensuring the music is always central, Tara and Andrés have arrayed the musicians of the orchestra on multiple levels on the stage, while the singers have walkways and platforms in, around and in front of the musicians to focus the drama in specific areas of the stage. And to shed light on those spaces, projection and lighting designer Sarah Tundermann has developed impressive projections to accompany the unfolding drama and support the incredible musical message.

Presenting Fidelio, whether fully staged or in concert, has its challenges. It is a fairly static represents the opera, with few opportunities for elaborate scene undying hope changes or movement among the characters. The music is everything. The original score contains that lies deep a great deal of spoken dialogue between the inside of us all.” characters that perhaps has less relevance in 21st-century Houston than in 19th-century Vienna. Yet, the substance of the feelings discussed, the philosophies explored and the love demonstrated in the opera have a piquant relevance to all of us in The rose and undying hope today’s world.

“Fidelio has so many ideas and themes to explore, but perhaps the Enter Houston-based director Tara Faircloth, who offers a fresh, strongest is the power of hope in the face of tyrannical oppression,” exciting take on Fidelio in the Houston Symphony’s semi-staged, Tara says. Roses appear throughout the performance as part of the concert version of Beethoven’s masterpiece. The production is imagery for the production. “The rose represents the undying hope fairly streamlined, with simple props and stylized clothing. Tara that lies deep inside of us all.” and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada agreed to remove the Whether it is feeling the chill of the cold dungeon walls in empathy original dialogue from the performance. Tara, a seasoned director with Florestan, feeling the thrill of great music and riveting of opera productions across the United States, talks about the performances or drawing powerful inspiration from enduring decision: words, Fidelio is indeed an opera for today, helping us answer some “We have replaced the original conversations between the of life’s most important questions. characters with narration drawn from thinkers, poets and revolutionary figures of the past. In addition, a significant video 44 | Houston Symphony

Fidelio | Program Biographies

FROST BANK GOLD CLASSICS

Program BIOGRAPHIES

These performances are generously supported in part by:

Diamond Guarantor Houston Symphony Endowment Guarantor Janet F. Clark Underwriter The Humphreys Foundation Sponsor Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Partner The Vaughn Foundation Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Supporter Betty & Gene McDavid

The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham.

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.

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.

Enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

Andrés Orozco-Estrada | conductor

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

Houston Symphony Chorus Chamber Choir

Betsy Cook Weber, director Please see the Houston Symphony Chorus roster on page 10.

Tara Faircloth | director Stage director Tara Faircloth’s work has been seen in opera houses around the nation. Critics hailed her “incisive, tightly meshed direction” (Opera News) for The Rake’s Progress at Wolf Trap Opera, calling it “a simple and elegant production” (The Washington Post). She directed two world premieres with the Houston Grand Opera’s East+West series (The Bricklayer and Your Name Means The Sea) and has a thriving career in regional houses such as Wolf Trap Opera, Utah Opera, Arizona Opera, Tulsa Opera and Atlanta Opera (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rigoletto, Die Zauberflöte, Hänsel and Gretel, etc.). The Baroque repertoire is of special interest to Tara, who made her directorial debut with Ars Lyrica Houston’s production of Cain: Il primo omicidio in 2003, and has since designed and directed a number of shows for the company. She has created productions of Dido and Aeneas for Ars Lyrica at the Festival de Música Barroca in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and for Mercury in collaboration with the Dominic Walsh Dance Theater.

This season, Tara is working on several new productions: Madama Butterfly with Wolf Trap Opera, L’enfant et les sortilèges with Utah Opera and Symphony, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Boston University, and a reconfiguration of her 2014 Wolf Trap Carmen for Arizona Opera. Following last year’s season, which included new productions of Il ritorno d’Ulisse, Eugene Onegin and Britten’s Midsummer, she is clearly in demand as an interpreter both for familiar works and those that are more obscure.

Tara has worked extensively on directing staff with leading opera companies, and as such, has worked on some of the most complicated operas in the repertoire, assisting international directors and preparing cover casts of some of the best performers in the industry. She is increasingly sought out for her skills as an adapter and has created such pieces as the “Mini” Grapes of Wrath and the “Mini” Magic Flute, commissions of Opera in the Ozarks and Utah Opera and Symphony.

She has a private coaching studio in Houston, and regularly works with the talented singers in the Houston Grand Opera Studio and Rice University.

This concert is being recorded for future broadcasts on Houston Public Media News 88.7 airing on Sundays at 8pm and streaming online at houstonpublicmedia.org.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 45

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

Rebecca von Lipinski | soprano (Leonore/Fidelio)

roles in Stiffelio (Oper Frankfurt), Faust (Michigan Opera) and Don Carlos (Deutsche Oper Berlin) as well as Turiddu in Cavalleria rusticana (Deutsche Oper Berlin), Pollione in Bellini’s Norma (San Francisco Opera) and Florestan in Fidelio and Manrico in Il trovatore (Cincinatti Opera). Russell’s previous seasons have also seen notable house debuts: at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Gabriele Adorno in Simon Boccanegra, Canadian Opera Company in the title role in Les contes d’Hoffmann and English National Opera as Lazarus in Peter Sellars’ new production of John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary. He has already earned considerable acclaim for his portrayal of Lazarus.

Rebecca von Lipinski was born in Mansfield and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music‚ supported by the Peter Moores Foundation‚ and at the National Opera Studio in London. Her awards include the Clonter Opera Prize‚ the Audience Prize and the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Award.

Rebecca began a Fest Contract with Stuttgart Opera in 2011‚ with whom recent and future roles include Leonore in Fidelio‚ Tatyana in Eugene Onegin‚ Liza in Pique Dame‚ Míla in Osud‚ Thalie in Platée‚ Eurydice in Orphée et Eurydice‚ Fifth Maid in Elektra‚ Elvira in Don Giovanni‚ Third Norn in Götterdämmerung‚ First Lady in Die Zauberflöte and Chloé in Der Schaum der Tage (L’Ecume des jours). After her successful role debut as Leonore in Fidelio for Garsington Opera‚ she has since appeared there as First Lady in The Magic Flute and will return to sing Electra in Idomeneo. She reprised the role of Leonore with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall‚ Manchester.

This season, Russell embarks on an impressive string of returns to the top houses in North America, including performances as Ismaele (Nabucco) at The Met, Pollione at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Canadian Opera Company, and Cavaradossi (Tosca) for LA Opera. In Europe, he makes his Salzburger Festspiele debut in the title role in La clemenza di Tito, in Peter Sellars’ anticipated new production conducted by Teodor Currentzis.

In addition to his work in the opera house, Russell is in great demand on the concert platform; recent performances include Verdi’s Messa da Requiem and Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde.

He is a regular guest with the New York Philharmonic and Alan Gilbert and will sing his first Loge in Wagner’s Das Rheingold with them this season. Elsewhere, he sings his first Mao in Adams’ Nixon in China with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by the composer himself. In Europe, his concert appearances have included Lazarus with Netherlands Radio Orchestra, the role of Erik in Der fliegende Holländer at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and Donizetti’s Belisario with the BBC Symphony Orchestra., Russell is also developing his recital work and made his Wigmore Hall debut in the Rosenblatt Recital Series last season.

European engagements include LA Lola in Benedict Mason’s Playing Away (Bregenz and St. Pölten Festivals)‚ the title role in Micha Hamel’s Snow White‚ Oscar in Un ballo in maschera and Ursula in Klaas de Vries’ Wake (Nationale Reisopera‚ Netherlands).

Operatic engagements in the UK include Leonore in Fidelio (Garsington Opera)‚ Musetta (Scottish Opera)‚ Karin in The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (English National Opera), Berthe in Euryanthe (Glyndebourne Festival Opera)‚ Countess and First Lady in Die Zauberflöte (Grange Park Opera), Mimi (Mid Wales Opera)‚ Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Carl Rosa Opera Company) and Sophie in Flashmob for BBC Television.

Rebecca’s recordings include Fanny in Il Prigione di Edimburgo and Odetta in Emma d’Antiochia for Opera Rara.

Russell Thomas | tenor (Florestan)

DARIO ACOSTA

An alumnus of The Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program, American tenor Russell Thomas is fast-becoming one of the most sought after artists of his generation.

He regularly expands his repertoire and debuts key roles such as the title 46 | Houston Symphony

Lauren Snouffer | soprano (Marzelline) American Lauren Snouffer is celebrated as one of the most versatile and respected sopranos on the international stage.

CLAIRE MCADAMS

Concert highlights include Beethoven 9 with Manchester Camerata‚ Sibelius’ Luonnotar (Thomas Adès) and Harrison Birtwistle’s The Second Mrs. Kong (Martyn Brabbins) both with the BBC Symphony Orchestra‚ Carmina Burana (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra)‚ Vivaldi’s Gloria‚ Handel’s Messiah‚ Mozart’s Mass in C and Coronation Mass‚ Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle and Mahler’s Symphony No 2.

Opera performances of the current season include two re-engagements.

At the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse, she sings the role of Héro in Béatrice et Bénédict, and at Seattle Opera, she presents her highly acclaimed portrayal of Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. She makes her debut with the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe in the role of Tusnelda in Handel’s Arminio. She recently joined an all-star cast to record the role of Teofane in Handel’s Ottone (Decca Classics). Concert appearances feature a return to the Cleveland Orchestra for Bach’s Johannes-Passion, Carmina Burana with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, a debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah with the San Francisco Symphony.

Fidelio | Program Biographies

Highly sought-after for her consummate artistry in contemporary music, Lauren has sung the role of Agnès in George Benjamin’s Written on Skin under the composer’s baton at the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music, Gruber’s Gloria – A Pig Tale for the New York Philharmonic Biennial and Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. She will add the title role of Berg’s Lulu in an upcoming season for the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, Chile.

A recent graduate of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, Lauren Snouffer was a winner of a 2013 Sara Tucker Study Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, a Richard F. Gold Career Grant bestowed by HGO and a grand finalist in the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She graduated from Rice University and The Juilliard School.

PAUL SIROUCHMAN

Nathan Stark | bass (Rocco) Praised by the Washington Post as having a voice of “unearthly power,” American bass Nathan Stark has performed on operatic, concert and recital stages throughout the United States, Europe and China.

In addition to these performances, Nathan’s engagements in the 201617 season include Colline in La bohème with Hawaii Opera Theatre and Cincinnati Opera, King Marke in Tristan und Isolde for his Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra debut, Escamillo in Carmen with Dayton Opera, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte with Madison Opera and Father Palmer in Puts’ Silent Night with Opera San José. His concert engagements include Defiant Requiem for his Chicago Philharmonic and Detroit Symphony Orchestra debuts, Missa solemnis with Pacific Chorale, and Verdi’s Requiem with Canton Symphony Orchestra and New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

In the 2015-16 season, he debuted with Tulsa Opera as Colline, Hawaii Opera Theatre as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and with Fort Worth Opera as The Gravedigger in Buried Alive and Montressor in Embedded. He made returns to Cincinnati Opera as Rocco, Bard Music Festival as Emperor Altoum in Busoni’s Turandot and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Verdi’s Requiem under Robert Spano.

Nathan has recently made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the One-Armed Man in Die Frau ohne Schatten and his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut as First Nazarene in Salome conducted

by Andris Nelsons. He has also performed with Madison Opera as Sulpice in La fille du régiment, Kentucky Opera as Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Virginia Opera as Sparafucile in Rigoletto and Nourabad in Les pêcheurs de perles, and he has appeared as soloist with Pacific Symphony in Messiah and Washington’s National Cathedral in Mozart’s Requiem.

Equally comfortable on the recital stage, Nathan Stark was featured soloist in the nationally televised opening ceremony of the Air Force One exhibit for George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan and members of the United States Senate and Congress.

He has performed at the Great Wall of China, the United States Colombian Embassy, United States French Embassy and United States Austrian Embassy.

Joshua Dennis | tenor (Jaquino)

SIMON PAULY

Houstonians remember her Houston Grand Opera performances of Le nozze di Figaro as well as presentations of Carousel, Show Boat, The Rape of Lucretia and L’italiana in Algeri. Other highlights include Lyric Opera of Chicago productions of Rusalka and La clemenza di Tito, a Seattle Opera debut as La Comtesse Adèle in Rossini’s Le comte Ory and The Magic Flute at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. She performed Max Emanuel Cencic’s new production of Hasse’s Siroe at the Opéra Royal de Versailles, with further performances in Budapest and Vienna; the project was recorded by Decca Classics.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune praises tenor Joshua Dennis’ performances, exclaiming, “he made his sincerity believable, and his voice, a robust tenor with baritonal heft, rose to the high climaxes with ringing, ardent bravado.”

This season, he makes his company debut as Alfredo in Konwitschny’s acclaimed production of La traviata with Seattle Opera. He also makes role and company debuts with Minnesota Opera as Roméo in Roméo et Juliette and Kentucky Opera as Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail. He returns to Arizona Opera to create the role of Bern Venters in the world premiere of Bohmler’s Riders of the Purple Sage, Opera Idaho for his first performances of the title role of Werther and the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra for further performances of Handel’s Messiah. Last season, he sang Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Michigan Opera Theater, Alfredo in La traviata with Opera Columbus and Opera Idaho, Roy Dexter in the American premiere of Arizona Lady with Arizona Opera and Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Ash Lawn Opera. Additionally, he joined Dallas Opera for its production of Heggie’s Great Scott and the Santa Fe Symphony for Handel’s Messiah.

Joshua recently returned to the Santa Fe Opera as Jaquino in Fidelio and for its production of Rigoletto. Previously as an apprentice artist with the company, he sang Serano in La donna de lago, scenes of Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus and Ruggero in La rondine, in addition to joining the company for its productions of Arabella, La traviata and the world premiere of Morrison’s Oscar.

He also recently sang Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Opera Naples and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance with Eugene Opera. continued



InTUNE — March 2017 | 47

Program BIOGRAPHIES , continued

The tenor is a previous apprentice artist of Des Moines Metro Opera. He was a district winner and finalist in the northeastern region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was the National Association of Teachers of Singing Singer of the Year in 2011 and first place winner of the graduate division in 2010.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University where his performances included Handel’s Messiah, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus and Sam in Susannah.

A graduate of Dillard University, Loyola University and the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, the New Orleans native is the recipient of awards from the George London Foundation, Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition and the Sullivan Foundation career grant.

Andrew Foster-Williams | bass-baritone (Don Fernando)

This season, Alfred Walker sings his first performances of Wotan in Das Rheingold with North Carolina Opera and Méphistophélès in Berlioz’ La damnation de Faust at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago. He creates the title role of Josh Gibson in the world premiere of Sonenberg’s The Summer King with Pittsburgh Opera and makes his debut as Porgy in Porgy and Bess with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Last season, he joined Oper Köln and Seattle Opera for one of his most oft-performed roles, Der fliegende Holländer and the Komische Oper Berlin as the Four Villains in Kosky’s new production of Les contes d’Hoffmann. He returned to Utah Opera for Amonasro in Aida. Alfred also joined the New Japan Philharmonic for Bluebeard in Bluebeard’s Castle and the Caramoor International Music Festival as Pizarro in Fidelio and sang Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Verdi’s Requiem with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

A versatile concert artist, Alfred has sung Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Verdi’s Requiem with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Utah Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Sun Valley Music Festival.

He has joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Rossini’s Stabat Mater as well as previously for Porgy in Porgy and Bess, the Grant Park Music Festival for Shostakovich’s The Execution of Stepan Razin and Elgar’s The Kingdom, the Handel and Haydn Society for Mozart’s Requiem, American Symphony Orchestra for Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder and Rückert-Lieder, and Los Angeles Philharmonic and Toronto Symphony Orchestra for Porgy in a concert performance of Porgy and Bess. He has also presented recitals at the Manchester Music Festival. His recording credits include a collaboration with Semyon Bychkov and the WDR Sinfonie Orchester Köln for Orestes in Elektra on the Hybrid label as well as performances on Placido Domingo’s CD of Verdi tenor arias for Deutsche Grammophon.

48 | Houston Symphony

PAUL-FOSTER WILLIAMS

WALTER HILL

Alfred Walker | bass-baritone (Don Pizzaro)

Bass-baritone Andrew FosterWilliams enjoys a vibrant career on opera and concert stages and is graced with a vocal versatility that allows him to present a repertoire ranging from the classics of Bach, Gluck, Handel and Mozart through to more recent masters such as Britten, Debussy, Stravinsky and Wagner.

Andrew’s career, initially built on his strong Baroque credentials, has in recent seasons found a new dramatic direction with successes on leading international stages in opera productions of Fidelio, Götterdämmerung, Lohengrin, Pelléas et Mélisande, Peter Grimes and The Rake’s Progress.

An impressive line-up of concert invitations has taken Andrew to major stages with the most celebrated orchestras and conductors of our day, including the Cleveland Orchestra and Franz WelserMöst, Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Salzburg Mozarteum with Ivor Bolton, San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra with Richard Egarr, Hong Kong Philharmonic under Edo de Waart and the London Symphony Orchestra with Sir Colin Davis.

Highlights of the 2016-17 season include Bach’s JohannesPassion with the Cleveland Orchestra under Welser-Möst; Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius with the Minnesota Orchestra and de Waart; Beethoven’s Coronation Mass with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Egarr; and Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, Poland, under the baton of Paul McCreesh and with the Charlotte Symphony conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero.

Boasting an extensive discography, commercial releases include Beethoven’s Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II with the San Francisco Symphony (Tilson Thomas) released on SFS Media, The Seasons with the London Symphony Orchestra (Davis) on LSO Live, and most recently, H.M.S. Pinafore with The Orchestra of Scottish Opera (Egarr) on Linn Records. Performances captured on DVD include the Gramophone Award-winning The Fairy Queen with Glyndebourne Festival Opera (Christie).

Fidelio | Program Notes

Program NOTES Fidelio, Opus 72

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) In the Vienna of Beethoven’s time, opera was one of the keys to artistic prestige. Naturally, potential subjects tantalized him.

Beethoven looked at prospects ranging from Shakespeare’s Macbeth to a story called The Arrival of the Pennsylvanians in America. But he only completed one opera: Fidelio, the story of a woman who disguises herself as a man so she can infiltrate a penitentiary and free her husband, a political prisoner. Its themes of marital devotion and human brotherhood harmonized with Beethoven’s longtime personal ideals.

Fidelio’s title is the pseudonym of the disguised Leonore, who has gotten into the prison by taking a job there. The opera blends the heroic main story with a lighter subplot involving a kind-hearted guard, Rocco, and his daughter Marzelline, who has a crush on Fidelio.

The Story Act 1, Scene 1 takes place in Rocco’s quarters. Marzelline’s sweetheart, Jaquino, begs her to say she’ll marry him. But she resists, telling him she loves her father’s assistant, Fidelio, whose true identity no one suspects. Rocco approves of his daughter’s interest in Fidelio. The opera’s main story comes into view when Rocco tells Fidelio (really Leonore) that a secret dungeon contains a man who languishes near starvation.

Act 1, Scene 2 unfolds in the prison yard. The warden, Pizarro, learns that a government minister is coming to investigate reports that men are being held in the prison unjustly. He decides the secret prisoner—Florestan, his foe—must die immediately, and he orders Rocco to prepare a grave. Leonore overhears that, and even though she doesn’t know the prisoner’s identity, she resolves to save him.

As Fidelio, she persuades Rocco to let all the prisoners come into the prison yard for fresh air. But her husband doesn’t appear.

Act 2, Scene 1 takes us to the dungeon. Florestan resolves to confront his fate with fortitude, and he has a vision of Leonore as an angel leading him to paradise. When Rocco and Fidelio enter the dungeon, Leonore finally recognizes her husband. She doesn’t identify herself, but she gives him a crust of bread. Pizarro arrives, and when he brandishes a dagger to kill Florestan, Leonore jumps between them and reveals who she is.

Just then, a trumpet announces the government minister’s arrival.

With Pizarro thwarted, Leonore and Florestan celebrate their reunion.

Act 2, Scene 2 returns us to the prison yard. Don Fernando, the minister, extols liberty and brotherhood. He’s shocked to find Florestan in shackles, and the townspeople denounce Pizarro.

Fernando allows Leonore to free Florestan from his chains, and everyone hails Leonore’s bravery.

The Music The overture hints at the opera’s ultimate power. A brisk, snappy opening captures the attention, then the woodwinds bring gentleness. Singing out in pairs, they foreshadow a role they’ll play throughout the opera: mirroring the characters’ emotions. A French horn sets a more vigorous pace, and the orchestra delivers a first surge of the exuberance that will return in Fidelio’s happy ending.

Act 1 begins with Marzelline and Jacquino’s duet. The orchestra launches it with a quick four-note phrase, as buoyant as a laugh, that bubbles up repeatedly as Marzelline teases her sweetheart.

The orchestral part suddenly grows fuller and more emphatic, as if it’s heralding something important. Sure enough, Marzelline makes the first mention of Fidelio. When she envisions being married to Fidelio, her aria begins pensively, and the winds echo her melody.

The winds’ crescendo captures the surge of excitement within her, and as she imagines marital bliss, the music accelerates, and her voice soars.

After Fidelio (really Leonore) and Rocco appear, a spacious quartet reveals the characters’ emotions, especially the hope and fear within Leonore. The strings, divided into extra parts for added richness, begin with a hymn-like depth. The voices enter one at a time, and the music builds to a glowing climax. Joviality then returns as Rocco points out that a young couple needs money to be happy. The music slips into a minor key as he imagines an empty pocket, then turns spirited and hearty when he salutes gold.

The Houston Symphony’s single largest corporate donor and Prinicpal Corporate Guarantor is a landmark Houston institution, Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods.

Through the Spec’s Charitable Foundation, the company supports the Symphony in a variety of ways—through the annual Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, the Salute to Educators Concert and the company’s own Symphony fundraising event, Vintage Virtuoso. In total, the Foundation has contributed more than $4.2 million to the Symphony since 1996.

With 168 stores throughout Texas and more than 3,400 employees, Spec’s is a true family business, run by President John Rydman, his wife Lindy and their daughter Lisa.

Spec’s is known for its personal touch in many areas: selecting products for its shelves, cultivating a sense of family among its employees, providing guidance and personal service to its customers and giving back to the communities it serves.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 49

Program NOTES , continued

Fidelio’s real electricity emerges in the second scene, when Pizarro’s eagerness for revenge on Florestan bursts out. A drum roll and rapid orchestral crescendo launch his aria. His voice booms, and churning strings conjure up the violence inside him.

When Pizarro reveals his plans to Rocco, the orchestra reins in, but its stabs of emphasis reveal the violence inside him. When he describes the dagger’s thrust, the winds drive home his point with a dissonant, fortissimo chord. The more excited he gets, the more the orchestra adds its own fire.

Leonore’s response is just as visceral. The orchestra’s strings lash out; then does Leonore’s voice. But nobility and tenderness take over as her thoughts turn to her goal. The orchestra’s French horns, Beethoven’s sonic emblem of heroism, well up alongside her, amplifying her lyricism, and they join her in a surge of vitality as she invokes the inner compulsion that powers her.

When Rocco allows the prisoners to emerge into the fresh air, Fidelio reaches one of its peaks of eloquence. The strings begin ethereally, and the voices enter gradually, from the basses up through the tenors—a sonic equivalent of the prisoners’ steps into the light.

The music swells as the men imagine freedom and salvation. In the orchestra, the woodwinds’ lines float heavenward, mirroring the prisoners’ thoughts. But the orchestra’s darker tones take over as Pizarro orders Rocco to start preparing the prisoner’s grave. The scene ends with foreboding as the prisoners return to their cells.

Act 2 begins with an orchestral prelude that conjures up the dungeon’s gloom. At first, Beethoven plays hushed strings against biting, stark winds. The strings soon assert themselves, intoning somber phrases that would suit a funeral march. As the tension builds, Florestan cries out, bewailing the darkness that envelops him. Now the woodwinds step in, bringing warmth and lyricism.

Florestan looks inward, singing fervently about facing his fate with courage. The orchestra picks up speed, and an oboe solo takes wing.

Florestan envisions Leonore as an angel leading him to paradise, and as his voice strives higher —“in a quiet ecstasy bordering on madness,” as Beethoven instructed—the oboe soars, too.

The orchestra’s shadowy colors return as Rocco and Fidelio enter.

Their scene begins in a form that 19th-century musicians called melodrama: spoken dialogue over orchestral accompaniment.

When the pair realize that Florestan is still alive, the oboe echoes a phrase from the vision of Leonore. As the pair begins work on the grave, the double basses’ ominous tones drive the music’s depiction of their grim labor. When they give Florestan a sip of wine, he thanks them with the heartfelt opening melody of a trio that grows even more stirring when Leonore offers him a piece of bread, with the winds again adding their voices to hers.

The strings enter with a slash, heralding Pizarro’s arrival in the dungeon. Backed up by the rumbling orchestra, his voice swells into a roar as he savors his approaching revenge. But Florestan—backed up by ringing trumpets—defies him, and Leonore unleashes vocal lightning bolts. When she at last reveals her real identity, the music quiets, only to explode again as Pizarro renews his threat. The 50 | Houston Symphony

confrontation suddenly breaks off. The orchestra jumps to a new key, and a trumpet signals the government minister’s arrival. The woodwinds’ lyricism welcomes the good news, and after a second trumpet call, the music erupts with jubilation from Leonore, Florestan and Rocco—and curses from Pizarro. The orchestra’s final cadence looks forward to the clipped but forceful close of the Scherzo of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Over a palpitating accompaniment driven by the strings, husband and wife celebrate their reunion. Their short duet, with the pair alternating in bursts of exultation, combines almost breathless excitement with tenderness and harmony.

The finale opens with a light, snappy march that turns into a groundswell of triumphant tone. This is Beethoven’s orchestral muscle-flexing at its most visceral. The opening chorus continues in the martial vein. Then, Don Fernando’s tribute unfolds in broad, stately phrases, with the woodwinds’ fullness enhancing the air of nobility. After the strings let loose a burst of aggression to underline the townspeople’s curses of Pizarro, Florestan’s liberation takes the spotlight. As Leonore unlocks his shackles, the first oboe takes off on a flight of spacious, fervent melody. The rest of the winds join in, and the voices onstage swell in a hymn of thanks for God’s justice.

Another orchestral fortissimo then launches the climactic tribute to Leonore. It begins with a lusty, march-like chorus, and jaunty strings turn the mood almost giddy as Florestan adds his voice to the praises. The orchestra ratchets up to an even more vigorous tempo, and Fidelio ends with a shining, sonorous hymn to marital devotion.

The Instruments: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, offstage trumpet, 2 trombones, timpani and strings — Steven Brown

UPCOMING IN THE 2016-17

classical season

FALLA & ESPAÑA April 13, 14, 15, 8:00 PM

Kazuki Yamada, conductor Brinton Averil Smith, cello Chabrier: España Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Cello Concerto Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat (complete)

THE PINES of ROME April 20, 22, 8:00 PM April 23, 2:30 PM

Vasily Petrenko, conductor Elina Vähälä, violin Verdi: Overture to Un giorno di regna John Corigliano: The Red Violin Concerto Respighi: The Fountains of Rome Respighi: The Pines of Rome

A New REQUIEM May 5, 6, 8:00 PM May 7, 2:30 PM

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Jessica Rivera, soprano Andrew Garland, baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director OnStage Insights with Andrés, baritone Gabriela Lena Frank: Requiem Houston Symphony Commission / World Premiere Includes commissioned text from Nilo Cruz Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

The Houston Symphony “Dances” All Month Long on Houston Public Media Tangos, waltzes and ballets fill this month’s broadcasts! Hear Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) by tango king, Astor Piazzolla, from a 2014 concert lead by former concertmaster Frank Huang. To celebrate Father’s Day, enjoy a festive program of Strauss waltzes and more, featuring the men of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Relive the fairytale Opening Night concert of the 2004-05 season, which included Prokofiev’s Cinderella and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Also featured in March are performances of ballet scores by Stravinsky and, on a non-dancerelated note, the radiant Mass in C by Beethoven.

MARCH 2017 BROADCAST SCHEDULE ALL BROADCASTS AIR AT 8PM

March 5 News 88.7 March 8 Classical RECORDED:

March 6, 8 and 9, 2014

March 12 News 88.7 March 15 Classical RECORDED:

March 21-23, 2014

STRAVINSKY'S Petrouchka May 11, 13, 8:00 PM May 14, 2:30 PM Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Yefim Bronfman, piano Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2 Stravinsky: Petrouchka

SHAHAM plus BRAHMS May 19, 20, 8:00 PM May 21, 2:30 PM

March 19 News 88.7 March 22 Classical RECORDED:

Courtney Lewis, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus — Charles Hausmann, director Kathryn Whyte, soprano Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano Lawrence Wiliford, tenor Evan Boyer, bass Stavinsky: Pulcinella (complete) Beethoven: Mass in C major

Hans Graf, conductor Men of the Houston Symphony Chorus — Charles Hausmann, director Salute to Strauss, The Waltz King J Strauss Jr.: Overtures, waltzes and more

May 19-21, 2006

March 26 News 88.7 March 29 Classical RECORDED:

Marc Albrecht, conductor Gil Shaham, violin Schumann: Overture to Genoveva Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 Brahms: Symphony No. 1

Frank Huang, leader & violin soloist Haydn: Symphony No. 39 Piazzolla: Cuatro estaciones porteñas Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings

Hans Graf, conductor Stravinsky: Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss Prokofiev: Suite from Cinderella Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Opus 71

September 10, 2004

InTUNE — March 2017 | 51

Board of DIRECTORS

(2016-17 SEASON)

Steven P. Mach*

Bobby Tudor*

Paul R. Morico*

Janet F. Clark*

Jesse B. Tutor*^

Barbara McCelvey*

President

Chairman

President-Elect

Immediate Past Chairman

Robert A. Peiser*

Mike S. Stude*

Immediate Past President

Chairman Emeritus

Gene Dewhurst*

Chair, Board Governance & Leadership

Justice Brett Busby

Jerry Simon*

Chair, Development

Viviana Denechaud

Co-Chair, Development

Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs Danielle Batchelor Donna Shen Chair, Popular Programming Chair, Community Partnerships Alexandra Pruner Gene Dewhurst President, Chair, Pension Houston Symphony Endowment

Barbara J. Burger*

Andrés Orozco-Estrada*^

Gloria G. Pryzant

Sergei Galperin*^

Chair, Finance

Music Director

Chair, Marketing & Communications

Musician Representative

Mark Hughes*^

Mark C. Hanson*^

Musician Representative

Executive Director/CEO

General Counsel Secretary

David Pruner*

Chair, Strategic Planning

Anthony Bohnert Chair, Audit

Billy McCartney Chair, Education

Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Darlene Clark

President, Houston Symphony League

Adam Dinitz*^

Musician Representative

Christine Kelly-Weaver Assistant Secretary *Executive Committee ^Ex-Officio

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

Michael Doherty Julia Anderson Frankel David Frankfort Ronald G. Franklin Stephen Glenn Susan Hansen Joan Kaplan Rochelle Levit, Ph.D. Cora Sue Mach ** Steven P. Mach Paul M. Mann, M.D. Jay Marks ** Mary Lynn Marks David Massin Billy McCartney Barbara McCelvey Alexander K. McLanahan **

Paul R. Morico Kevin O’Gorman Robert Orr Robert A. Peiser David Pruner Ron Rand John Rydman Manolo Sánchez Helen Shaffer ** Jerry Simon Jim R. Smith Miles O. Smith James Stein Mike S. Stude ** William J. Toomey II Bobby Tudor ** Betty Tutor **

Jesse B. Tutor ** Judith Vincent Mrs. S. Conrad Weil Vicki West Margaret Alkek Williams ** Scott Wulfe David Wuthrich

Allen Gelwick Evan B. Glick Julianne K. Gorte Eric Haufrect, M.D. Gary L. Hollingsworth, M.D. Marianne Ivany Brian James Rita Justice I. Ray Kirk, M.D. Ulyesse LeGrange ** Carlos J. Lopez Michael Mann, M.D. John Matzer III Jackie Wolens Mazow Gene McDavid ** Gary Mercer Marilyn Miles Janet Moore Jud Morrison Bobbie Newman

Tassie Nicandros Scott Nyquist Edward Osterberg Jr. Greg Powers, Ph.D. Gloria G. Pryzant Richard A. Rabinow Roman Reed Gabriel Rio Richard Robbins, M.D. J. Hugh Roff Jr. ** Ed Schneider Michael E. Shannon ** Donna Shen Robert Sloan, Ph.D. Tad Smith David Stanard David Tai Brian J. Thomas L. Proctor (Terry) Thomas Shirley W. Toomim

Andrew Truscott Margaret Waisman, M.D. Robert Weiner James T. Willerson, M.D. Fredric Weber Steven J. Williams Beth Wolff Ed Wulfe ** Ellen A. Yarrell Robert Yekovich Frank Yonish

Ex-Officio Darlene Clark Rodney Margolis Gloria G. Pryzant Donna Shen Mary Voigt **Lifetime Trustee

TRUSTEES Samuel Abraham William L. Ackerman Philip Bahr Devinder Bhatia, M.D. James M. Bell Meherwan Boyce Nancy Shelton Bratic Terry Ann Brown** Prentiss Burt Cheryl Byington Dougal Cameron Mary Kathryn Campion, M.D. John T. Cater ** Evan Collins, M.D., MBA Andrew Davis Ronald DePinho, M.D. Tracy Dieterich Terry Elizabeth Everett Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D. Craig Fox

FRIENDS OF JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES Justice Brett Busby 52 | Houston Symphony

Janet F. Clark

Barbara McCelvey

Ex-Officio Audrey Chang Alexandra Gottschalk Alexandra Pruner Ishwaria Subbiah Art Vivar **Lifetime Trustee

PAST PRESIDENTS OF HOUSTON SYMPHONY 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

THE SOCIETY 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

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. W. Harold Sellers Mrs. John F. Grant Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Mrs. J. R. Parten Mrs. Robert M. Eury Mrs. Andrew E. Rutter Mrs. E. C. Vandagrift Jr. Mrs. Aubrey Leno Carter Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Mrs. Stuart Sherar Terry Ann Brown Mrs. Julian Barrows Nancy Strohmer Ms. Hazel Ledbetter Mary Ann McKeithan Mrs. Albert P. Jones Ann Cavanaugh Mrs. Ben A. Calhoun Mrs. James A. Shaffer Mrs. James Griffith Lawhon Lucy H. Lewis Mrs. Olaf LaCour Olsen Catherine McNamara Mrs. Ralph Ellis Gunn Shirley McGregor Pearson Mrs. Leon Jaworski Paula Jarrett Mrs. Garrett R. Tucker Jr. Cora Sue Mach Mrs. M. T. Launius Jr. Kathi Rovere Mrs. Thompson McCleary Norma Jean Brown Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper Barbara McCelvey Mrs. Allen W. Carruth Lori Sorcic Jansen Mrs. David Hannah Jr. Nancy B. Willerson Mary Louis Kister Jane Clark Mrs. Edward W. Kelley Jr. Nancy Littlejohn Mrs. John W. Herndon Donna Shen Mrs. Charles Franzen Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss Jr. Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein Mrs. Edward H. Soderstrom Vicki West Mrs. Lilly Kucera Andress Mrs. Jesse Tutor Ms. Marilou Bonner PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE BAY AREA Fran Strong Dana Puddy Selma Neumann Angela Buell Julia Wells Pat Brackett Dagmar Meeh Joan Wade Priscilla Heidbreder Yvonne Herring Harriett Small Deanna Lamoreux Nina Spencer Glenda Toole Elizabeth Glenn Carole Murphy Ebby Creden Patience Myers Charlotte Gaunt James Moore 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

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 Michael Mithoff

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 Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Fund AIG American General Fund Jay & Shirley Marks Fund M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Fund/ Mr. & Mrs. Philip Bahr Fund The Marks Charitable Foundation Janice H. & Thomas D. Barrow Fund Marian & Speros Martel Foundation Fund Mrs. Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Fund Barbara & Pat McCelvey Fund Jane & Robert Cizik Fund The Menil Foundation Fund Mr. Lee A. Clark Fund Monroe Mendelsohn Jr. Estate Cooper Industries, Inc. Fund Sue A. Morrison & Children Fund Gene & Linda Dewhurst Fund National Endowment for the Arts Fund DuPont Corporation Fund Stewart Orton Fund Elkins Charitable Trust Agency Fund Papadopoulos Fund The Margaret & James A. Elkins Foundation Fund Nancy & Robert Peiser Fund Virginia Lee Elverson Trust Fund Rockwell Fund, Inc. Fund Charles Engelhard Foundation Fund Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells Fund William Stamps Farish Fund Estate of Mr. Walter W. Sapp Fund Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin J. Fein Fund Mr. & Mrs. Matt K. Schatzman Fund Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Fund The Schissler Foundation Fund Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Fund Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Fund George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Fund Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Fund Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Fund Texas Eastern Fund Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund Dorothy Barton Thomas Fund Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Fund Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Fund Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Kaplan Fund Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Fund Ann Kennedy & Geoffrey Walker Fund Dede & Connie Weil Fund Martha Kleymeyer Fund The Wortham Foundation Fund Rochelle & Max Levit Fund Anonymous (5) Mr. E. W. Long Jr. Fund DESIGNATED FUNDS  to support annual performance activity The Brown Foundation Guest Pianist Fund The Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment Fund The Cullen Foundation Maestro’s Fund Fayez Sarofim Guest Violinist Fund General & Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Memorial Concert Fund through The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts in memory of Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved parents The Wortham Foundation Classical Series Fund of General Maurice Hirsch, and Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie endowed in memory of Gus S. & Lyndall F. Wortham Hirsch Bloch, beloved sisters of General Maurice Hirsch InTUNE — March 2017 | 53

to support the Houston Symphony’s annual education and community engagement activities

ENDOWED CHAIRS  to assist the Houston Symphony in attracting, retaining and supporting world-class conductors, musicians, guest artists and executive leadership



Margarett & Alice Brown Endowment Fund for Education 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

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 Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO

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 for performances at First Methodist Church The Brown Foundation’s Miller Outdoor Theatre Fund in memory of Hanni and Stewart Orton Mach Family Audience Development Fund George P. & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Summer Concerts Fund

ENDOWED FUNDS  to assist the Houston Symphony in attracting, retaining and supporting world-class conductors, musicians and guest artists American General Fund Speros P. Martel Fund Stewart Orton Fund Dan Feigal Prosser Fund

to support electronic media initiatives 

Nancy B. Willerson Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. 

to support piano performance

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

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Fund for Creative Initiatives

CHORUS ENDOWMENT DONORS Janice Barrow Eldo Bergman, Family Literacy Network, Inc. Roger & Debby Cutler Steve Dukes Robert Lee Gomez Mr. & Mrs. Terry L. Henderson

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

to support the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition 



$500 or more

Beth Weidler & Stephen James Nobuhide Kobori Natalia Rawle Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Rio Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Rodenberger Ms. Carolyn Rogan

Michael J. Shawiak Susan L. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Frederic A. Weber Anonymous (2)

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 and Portativ Organ Berlioz bells Orchestra Synthesizer Adam's Vibraphone Zildjian Crotales Waterphone Small percussion and other instruments

Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Piccolo Timpano

The Fondren Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Sound Shell Ceiling

Silver Circle Audio Enhancements to Jones Hall Recording Suite

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

Beverly Johnson, Ralph Wyman and Jim Foti, and Thane & Nicole Wyman in memory of Winthrop Wyman Basset Horns and Rotary Trumpets

Houston Symphony League Steinway Concert Grand Piano and Instrument Petting Zoo 54 | Houston Symphony

LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation Lyons & Healy Harp Vicky & Michael Richker Family Adolfo Sayago, Orquestas Sybil F. Roos Rotary Trumpets

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Conductor’s Podium

Sustainability

FUND

The Houston Symphony pays special tribute to the 137 donors who made transformational gifts to complete the Sustainability Fund.

On December 31, 2015, the Houston Symphony celebrated an extraordinary achievement: the completion of a five-year, $15 million Sustainability Fund, which has transformed the orchestra’s financial position.

The Symphony was able to close out the campaign thanks to challenge grant funds totaling $1,050,000 provided by Bobby & Phoebe Tudor, Cora Sue & Harry Mach, Janice Barrow, Steve & Joella Mach and Robert & Jane Cizik. The Ciziks provided the final $500,000 to allow the Symphony to reach its $15 million Sustainability Fund goal.

Houston Endowment Estate of Jean R. Sides Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Janice Barrow Margaret Alkek Williams Jane & Robert Cizik

Clare Attwell Glassell Mrs. Kitty King Powell The Cullen Foundation The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Brown Foundation, Inc. Cora Sue & Harry Mach The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation MD Anderson Foundation Joella & Steven P. Mach Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Barbara J. Burger Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Carol & Michael Linn & The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Barbara & Pat McCelvey Estate of Mary Ann Holloway Phillips Sybil F. Roos

Steven & Nancy Williams Robin Angly & Miles Smith Gary & Marian Beauchamp Laura & Michael Shannon Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Bahr Nancy & Walter Bratic Janet F. Clark Linda & Gene Dewhurst

Bert & Joan Golding Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Griswold Marilyn & Robert Hermance C. Howard Pieper Foundation Tad & Suzanne Smith Alice & Terry Thomas Shirley W. Toomim Janet & Tom Walker

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Kathryn & Richard Rabinow Billy & Christie McCartney Dr. Rita Justice Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Bohnert Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Geo. H. Lewis & Sons

Ms. Judith Vincent Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Mr. Ralph Burch Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian Evan D. Collins Erika & S. David Frankfort Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange

Mrs. Carolyn & Dr. Michael Mann Jay & Shirley Marks James D. Stein Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells BB&T / Courtney & Bill Toomey Scott & Lori Wulfe Anonymous (1)

Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Mr. & Mrs. Manolo Sánchez Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Tyler & Kat Murphy Justice Brett & Erin Busby Laurie & Ryan Colburn Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Corson Susan & Dick Hansen Christina & Mark C. Hanson Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Ann & Hugh Roff Vicky & Michael Richker Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Gloria & Joe Pryzant Margot & John Cater Virginia A. Clark Mr. Andrew Davis & Ms. Corey Tu Viviana & David Denechaud Amanda & Adam Dinitz David & Heidi Massin Bobbie Newman

Lisa & Jerry Simon Vicki West The Brodsky Foundation David Chambers & Alex Steffler Vicky Dominguez Mr. Colin C. Gatwood & Ms. Aralee Dorough Mr. Jonathan Fischer Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Julianne & David Gorte Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish Dr. Ronald DePinho & Dr. Lynda Chin Mr. & Mrs. Allen Barnhill Pam & Chad Blaine Mr. Wayne Brooks Terry Ann Brown Aurelie Desmarais & Ed Struzynski Mr. & Mrs. Michael Doherty Martin & Kelli Cohen Fein Ms. Megan Conley Rian & Sean Craypo Brian & Leah Del Signore Eric & Angelea Halen Mark & Marilyn Hughes

Ms. Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee Mr. Robert E. Johnson & Ms. Ariella Perlman Mary Beth Mosley Scott & Judy Nyquist Mr. Matthew D. Roitstein Mr. Brinton Averil Smith & Ms. Evelyn Chen Mr. & Mrs. Eric A. Arbiter Mrs. Shirley Burgher Mr. Erik T. Gronfor & Ms. Joan DerHovsepian Mr. & Mrs. Thomas LeGrand Mr. & Mrs. Harvin Moore IV Mr. & Mrs. Scott Holshouser Mr. Robin Kesselman Dr. & Mrs. Robert Ivany Ms. Anne C. Leek Mr. & Mrs. William K. VerMeulen Martha & Stanley* Bair Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Brewer Ms. Joyce Perkins David & Tara Wuthrich Anonymous (3) *Deceased InTUNE — March 2017 | 55

Legacy SOCIETY The Legacy Society honors those who have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans through bequests, lifeincome 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.

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Daniel B. Barnum George* & Betty Bashen Dorothy B. Black Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Zu Broadwater Joan K. Bruchas & H. Philip Cowdin Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Erin Brunner Eugene R. Bruns Sylvia J. Carroll Dr. Robert N. Chanon William J. Clayton & Margaret A. Hughes The Honorable & Mrs. William Crassas Patricia Cunningham Dr. Lida S. Dahm Leslie Barry Davidson Judge & Mrs. Harold DeMoss Jr. Ginny Garrett Lila-Gene George Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Dorothy H. Grieves Randolph Lee Groninger 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 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 Mrs. Lucy Lewis E. W. Long Jr. Sandra Magers Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Jay & Shirley Marks James G. Matthews Mr. & Mrs. John H. Matzer III Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Dr. Tracey Samuels & Mr. Robert McNamara Mr. & Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Catherine Jane Merchant

Dr. Georgette M. Michko 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 Dave G. Nussmann John Onstott Macky Osorio Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Imogen “Immy� Papadopoulos Christine & Red Pastorek 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 Dr. Carlos Vallbona & Children Jana Vander Lee 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)

Ione Moran Sidney Moran Sue A. Morrison & children in memory of Walter J. Morrison 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 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 Jo Dee Wright Susan Gail Wood Ellen A. Yarrell Anonymous (2)

CRESCENDO CIRCLE $100,000+ Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Priscilla R. Angly Janice Barrow James Barton Paul M. Basinski Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Joe Brazzatti Terry Ann Brown Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Janet F. Clark Mr. William E. Colburn Harrison R.T. Davis Jean & Jack* Ellis The Aubrey & Sylvia Farb Family

Eugene Fong Michael B. George Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves 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 Mr. Ronald Mikita & Mr. Rex Spikes

*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 W. P. Beard Ronald C. Borschow Mrs. H. Raymond Brannon Anthony Brigandi Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. Mrs. Albert V. Caselli Lee Allen Clark Jack Ellis Mrs. Robin A. Elverson Frank R. Eyler Dr. & Mrs. Larry L. Fedder 56 | Houston Symphony

Helen Bess Fariss Foster Christine E. George Mr. & Mrs. Keith E. Gott John Wesley Graham Mrs. Marcella Levine Harris Gen. & Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Miss Ima Hogg Burke & Octavia Holman David L. Hyde Dr. Blair Justice Dr. Mary R. Lewis Mrs. L. F. McCollum Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. McKerley

Doretha Melvin Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Mrs. Janet Moynihan Terrence Murphree Arthur Newman Constantine S. Nicandros Hanni Orton Stewart Orton, Legacy Society co-founder Dr. Michael Papadopoulos Miss Louise Pearl Mary Anne H. Phillips Mr. Howard Pieper

Walter W. Sapp, Legacy Society co-founder J. Fred & Alma Laws Lunsford Schultz Ms. Jean R. Sides Blanche Stasny John K. & Fanny W. Stone Dorothy Barton Thomas Mrs. Harry C. Weiss Mrs. Edward Wilkerson

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 and Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation

Guarantor



$100,000+

BBVA Compass Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board Houston Endowment Houston Symphony Endowment Mr. John N. Neighbors

Underwriter



$50,000+

Cameron International Corporation Chevron The Elkins Foundation ENGIE Exxon Mobil Corporation The Hearst Foundations, Inc. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo The John P. McGovern Foundation Occidental Petroleum Corporation Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr./ The Robbins Foundation Shell Oil Company The Robert & Janice McNair Foundation

Sponsor



$25,000+

The Boeing Company 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 The Newfield 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

Supporter



$10,000+

CenterPoint Energy George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Houston Symphony League Nancy & Robert Peiser The Powell Foundation Vivian L. Smith Foundation Union Pacific Foundation

Benefactor



$5,000+

Houston Symphony League Bay Area Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation Macy’s Marathon Oil Corporation Nordstrom Randalls Food Markets Strake Foundation

Donor



$1,000+

Lilly & Thurmon Andress Diane & Harry Gendel Kinder Morgan Foundation Robert W. & Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation Cora Sue & Harry Mach Karinne & Bill McCullough Tricia & March Rauch

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: 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

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 CommunityEmbedded Musician Program The Houston Symphony residency at Crespo Elementary is presented by BBVA Compass and the BBVA Compass Foundation. We are also thankful to HISD and these lead supporters of the Community-Embedded Musician program: Robert and Janice McNair Foundation Medistar 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 Union Pacific Foundation LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation

InTUNE — March 2017 | 57

you

THANK

Our DONORS ANNUAL SUPPORT

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: Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, 713.337.8540 David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, 713.337.8525 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526

Ima Hogg Society $150,000 or more 

Janice Barrow Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Barbara J. Burger Jane & Robert Cizik Janet F. Clark Rochelle & Max Levit

Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joella & Steven P. Mach Mr. John N. Neighbors John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation

Centennial Society Mr. Monzer Hourani Barbara & Pat McCelvey

Founder’s Society



Maestro’s Society





$100,000-$149,999

Sybil F. Roos Clive Runnells in memory of Nancy Morgan Runnells

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

$75,000-$99,999

Robin Angly & Miles Smith Darlene & Cappy* Bisso

The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation

Billy & Christie McCartney

$50,000-$74,999

Jana & Scotty Arnoldy Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Bahr Gary & Marian Beauchamp Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch Lila-Gene George Clare Attwell Glassell Mr. Jackson Hicks / Jackson and Company

Concertmaster’s Society Mr. John Barlow Dr. & Mrs. Devinder Bhatia Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Bohnert Nancy & Walter Bratic Ralph Burch Justice Brett & Erin Busby Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian Viviana & David Denechaud Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III / WoodRock & Co. Linda & Gene Dewhurst Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Mr. & Mrs. M. G. Glasscock Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Bert & Joan Golding Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Griswold Susan & Dick Hansen 58 | Houston Symphony

Mike Stude Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams

The Estate of Miss Ima Hogg Carol & Michael Linn and The Michael C. Linn Family Foundation Beth Madison Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Janice & Robert McNair Nancy & Robert Peiser Dave & Alie Pruner 

Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr. / The Robbins Foundation Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Lisa & Jerry Simon Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Alice & Terry Thomas Ms. Judith Vincent Steven & Nancy Williams

$25,000-$49,999

Christina & Mark Hanson Marilyn & Bob Hermance Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Dr. Rita Justice Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Mr. & Mrs. James H. Lee Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Mrs. Carolyn & Dr. Michael Mann Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Mrs. Mary Catherine Miller John & Bobbie Nau Mr. Jason Poon / Marine Foods Express, Ltd. Kathryn & Richard Rabinow Louisa Stude Sarofim Laura & Michael Shannon

Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Jr. / Houston Baptist University Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob, Laredo Construction, Inc. James D. Stein Mr. Jay Steinfeld & Mrs. Barbara Winthrop Nancy & David Tai Shirley Wolff Toomim Janet & Tom Walker Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Vicki West Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Scott & Lori Wulfe Ms. Ellen A. Yarrell

Conductor’s Circle



Platinum Baton

Graham & Janet Baker Danielle & Josh Batchelor James M. Bell Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Dr. M.K. Campion Donna & Max Chapman Mr. Richard Danforth Dr. Alex Dell Mrs. William Estrada Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein Angel & Craig Fox Erika & S. David Frankfort

Conductor’s Circle



Conductor’s Circle



Conductor’s Circle



Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice J.R. & Aline Deming Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Archie & Linda Dunham Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger Michael B. George Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Mrs. James E. Hooks Catherine & Brian James Mr. & Mrs. Jacek Jaminski Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mr.* & Mrs. Gordon Leighton Drs. Golda Anne & Robert Leonard Marilyn G. Lummis Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Martin Dr. & Mrs. E. K. Massin

Ms. Farida Abjani Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Abraham Mrs. Nancy C. Allen Mr. & Mrs. Adam Altsuler Lilly & Thurmon Andress Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Mr. & Mrs. Ed Banner Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Ruth White Brodsky Mr. Ken D. Brownlee & Ms. Caroline Deetjen Dr. & Mrs. William T. Butler Dougal & Cathy Cameron Marilyn Caplovitz Mrs. Lily Carrigan Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Carter IV William J. Clayton & Margaret A. Hughes Mr. William E. Colburn

Donna & Tim Shen Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Thomas Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Stephen & Kristine Wallace Dede & Connie Weil Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Ralph Wyman & Jim Foti Thane & Nicole Wyman

Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Betty & Gene McDavid Martha & Marvin McMurrey Mr. Gary Mercer Sami & Jud Morrison Mrs. Nancy Morrison Scott & Judy Nyquist Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Rochelle & Sheldon Oster Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Lila Rauch Kathy & Wayne Richards Vicky & Michael Richker Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Mr. & Mrs. Manolo Sánchez Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Mr. Wolfgang Schmidt & Mrs. Angelika Schmidt-Lange Mr. & Mrs. Shalin Shah Michael J. Shawiak Tad & Suzanne Smith

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Mr. & Mrs. Trent Tellepsen Ms. Laura Codman & Mr. John F. Terwilliger Mrs. Jennifer Chang & Mr. Aaron J. Thomas Pamalah & Stephen Tipps Courtney & Bill Toomey Susan & Andrew Truscott Birgitt van Wijk Mr. & Ms. Frank Verducci Mr. & Mrs. Sean Waggoner Shirley & Joel Wahlberg Dr. Jim T. Willerson Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Lorraine & Ed Wulfe Nina & Michael Zilkha

Ms. Nancey G. Lobb April Lykos David & Heidi Massin Dr. & Mrs.* Robert M. Mihalo Dr. Cameron Mitchell Rita & Paul Morico Jean & Allan Quiat Radoff Family Ed & Janet Rinehart Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Rufus S. Scott Mr. & Mrs. Lee H. Staley

Carol & Michael Stamatedes Kimberly & David Sterling Dr. John R. Stroehlein & Miwa Sakashita Candace & Brian Thomas Ms. Hallie A. Vanderhider Nancy B. Willerson Anonymous (1)

Kevin & Sherrill Garland Ms. Nan Garrett Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gendel Wm. David George Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Steven J. Gibson Mr. & Mrs. Eric J. Gongre Mr. Alan Goodrich Dorothy & Bill Grieves Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Haas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hardison Maureen Y. Higdon Stephen Jeu & Susanna Calvo Beverly Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John F. Joity Mr. & Mrs. Steve Jones Catherine & Andrew Kaldis Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kellogg Mary Louis Kister Mr. & Mrs. Jason T. Klein

William & Cynthia Koch William L. Kopp Willy Kuehn Michael & Kelley Lang Mrs. Nancy Lease Mr. William McDugald Terry & Kandee McGill Mr. & Mrs. William B. McNamara Alice R. McPherson, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. William Monteleone Jr. Ms. Elizabeth Montz Mr. & Mrs. Harvin Moore IV Sidney & Ione Moran Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Moynier Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson David G. Nussman Mr. & Mrs. C. Robert Palmer Dr. & Mrs. Robert Parker

$7,500-$9,999



Dr. Ronald DePinho & Dr. Lynda Chin Scott Ensell & Family Mr. & Mrs. Henry S. Florsheim Eugene Fong Ms. Darlene Clark & Mr. Edwin C. Friedrichs Jennifer & Joshua Gravenor Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog Ms. Emily Keeton

Bronze Baton

Dr. Stewart Morris The Estate of Terence Murphree Bobbie Newman Susan & Edward Osterberg Gary Petersen Gloria & Joe Pryzant Ron & Demi Rand Gabriel & Mona Rio Ken & Carol Lee Robertson Hugh & Ann Roff William J. Rovere & Kathi F. Rovere Carol & Kamal Sandarusi

$10,000-$14,999



Silver Baton

Anne Morgan Barrett Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Mr. & Mrs. David J. Beck Mr. & Dr. Karl-Heinz Becker Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. Black Mr. & Mrs. John F. Bookout III Lilia Khakimova & C. Robert Bunch Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Calder David Chambers & Alex Steffler Albert & Anne Chao Molly & Jim Crownover Roger & Debby Cutler

$15,000-$24,999

Allen & Almira Gelwick Lockton Companies Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Debbie & Frank Jones Mrs. Gloria Pepper & Dr. Bernard Katz Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Jay & Shirley Marks Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Stephen & Marilyn Miles/Steven Warren Miles & Marilyn Ross Miles Foundation

Gold Baton

Mr. William L. Ackerman, Kero-Jet Corporation Frances & Ira Anderson Edward H. Andrews III Nina Andrews & David Karohl Dr. Angela R. Apollo Sr. Judge Mary Bacon Consurgo Sunshine Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Astley Blair Anne & George Boss Dr. & Mrs. Meherwan P. Boyce Terry Ann Brown Cheryl & Sam Byington Mr. & Mrs. Bernard F. Clark Jr. Virginia A. Clark Laurie & Ryan Colburn Dr. Evan D. Collins Brad & Joan Corson Dr. Scott Cutler





$5,000-$7,499

Coneway Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley Mr. & Mrs. Larry Corbin Ms. Miquel A. Correll Lois & David Coyle Andrew Davis & Corey Tu Connie & Byron Dyer Mr. William P. Elbel & Ms. Mary J. Schroeder Hon. & Mrs. John D. Ellis Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Aubrey & Sylvia Farb Diane Lokey Farb Ms. Carolyn Faulk Jerry E. & Nanette B. Finger Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fluor Mr. & Mrs. Trent Foltz Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Francisco Mr. Shane T. Frank

InTUNE — March 2017 | 59

Our DONORS continued Mr. Doug D. Perley & Ms. Eileen M. Campbell Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Tim & Katherine Pownell Mr. & Mrs. Claud D. Riddles Allyn & Jill Risley Mr. & Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr. Mr. Robert T. Sakowitz Carole & Barry Samuels Dr. & Mrs. Todd Scheyer Mrs. Richard P. Schissler Jr.

Grand Patron’s Circle

Ms. Angela Sherman Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Reginald Smith Mr. & Mrs. Paul G. Somerville Mr. David Stanard & Ms. Beth Freeman Mr. & Mrs. Hans Strohmer Mr. & Mrs. Antonio M. Szabo Tellepsen Family Ann Trammell 



Mr. & Mrs. Neil A. Wizel Woodell Family Foundation Sally & Denney Wright Mr. & Mrs. David Wynne Mr. R. Brent Young & Ms. Sue Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler Edith & Robert Zinn Erla & Harry Zuber Anonymous (4)

Ms. Victoria E. Dominguez Bob & Mary Doyle David & Carolyn Edgar Mr. Stephen Elison Annette & Knut Eriksen Mr. & Mrs. J. Thomas Eubank Carolyn Grant Fay Ms. Ursula H. Felmet Mrs. Ronald Fischer James H. & Beverly W. Fish Mr. & Mrs. Gary Fritzhand Mr. & Mrs. Neil Gaynor Thomas & Patricia Geddy Robert Lee Gomez Mr. & Mrs. Herb Goodman Mr. Danny A. Granados Eric & Angelea Halen Dr. & Mrs. Eric J. Haufrect Mr. & Mrs. Houston Haymon Ms. Christine Heggeseth Mark & Ragna Henrichs Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Hoffer Dr. Matthew Horsfield & Dr. Michael Kauth Mark & Marilyn Hughes Ms. Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Jankovic Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Jee Mrs. Ann B. Jennings Mr. & Mrs. John Juneau Hoole & Kramr CPAs - Samantha & Chris Kramr Jane & Kevin Kremer

Mr. Alfred Lasher III Ms. Sylvia Lohkamp Ms. Brenda Love Barbara J. Manering Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. Mann Brian McCulloch & Jeremy Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGuire Will L. McLendon Mr. Ronald A. Mikita & Mr. Rex Spikes Ms. Trazanna Moreno Julia & Chris Morton Mary Beth Mosley Melissa L. Nance Franci Neely Dr. Thomas D. Nichols Mr. Kevin O’Gorman Pat & Sarah Olfers Mr. & Mrs. Steven Owsley Mr. & Mrs. Robert Page Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Palmer Christine & Robert Pastorek Mr. & Mrs. Raul Pavon Shirley & Michael P. Pearson Mr. David Peavy & Mr. Stephen McCauley Darla & Chip Purchase Mr. & Mrs. Cris Pye Mr. & Mrs. Henry Rachford Dr. & Mrs. Albert Raizner Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey S. Rawson Brooke & Nathaniel Richards Doug Williams & Janice Robertson

Drs. Alex & Lynn Rosas Mr. & Mrs. Yasuhiko Saitoh Gina & Saib Saour Susan D. & Fayez Sarofim Dr. Susan Gardner & Dr. Philip Scott Dr. Paulina Sergot & Dr. Theo Shybut Hinda Simon Dr. & Mrs. John Slater Steve & Judy Sohn Richard & Mary Spies Walter O. Stanford Georgiana Stanley Mrs. Jeaneen Stastny Drs. Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Mr. & Mrs. Garry Tanner Dr. & Mrs. Van W. Teeters Ms. Georgeta Teodorescu Dan C. & Kimberly Tutcher Mr. & Mrs. Gene Van Dyke Ms. Jana Vander Lee Dr. & Mrs. Carl V. Vartian Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Walt Ms. Karen M. Whitlock Dr. & Mrs. Rudy C. Wildenstein Ms. Jennifer R. Wittman Ms. Beth Wolff Jerry S. & Gerlind Wolinksy Mr. & Mrs. David J. Wuthrich Robert & Michele Yekovich Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish Anonymous (3)

Mr. John P. Cogan Jr. Mr. Mark C. Conrad Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Coronado Crystal & Mike Cox Brian & Leah Del Signore Catherine Delano & Wirt Blaffer Dr. & Ms. Peter J. Dempsey Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts Mike & Debra Dishberger Jennifer & Steve Dolman Mr. & Mrs. James P. Dorn Drs. Rosalind & Gary Dworkin Mr. & Mrs. Edward N. Earle Mr. & Mrs. Gary Edwards Sally Evans & Brian Rodgers Dr. Louis & Mrs. Paula Faillace Christine Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc Kimberly Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc. Ms. Marcia Fiman Mr. Jonathan Fischer Mr. & Mrs. Harvey O. Fleisher Patrick & Jeannine Flynn

Mark Folkes & Christopher Johnston Michelle & Deane Foss Mr. & Mrs. Phil Frederickson Mr. & Mrs. James E. Furr Ms. Aralee Dorough & Mr. Colin C. Gatwood Ms. Lucy Gebhart Mr. & Mrs. John Gee Joan M. Giese Mr. & Ms. Robert W. Goldman Dr. John Gomez & Dr. Cora Mihu Mr. Allen Goodling Dr. & Mrs. Bradford S. Goodwin Jr. Alexandra & Daniel Gottschalk Timothy & Janet Graham Kendall & Pauline Gray Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Gregory Dennis Griffith & Louise Richman Claudio Gutierrez Mr. & Mrs. William R. Hamm Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hampton Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Hasler John Heiny Dr. & Mrs. William C. Heird

Mr. & Mrs. David J. Hemenway Ann & Joe Hightower Jeannette & Brodrick Hill Dr. Suzanne M. Hite Susan Hodge & Mike Stocker Mr. Robert Hoff Dr. Holly Holmes & Mr. Paul Otremba Mr. & Mrs. John Homier George E. Howe Mickie & Ron Huebsch Mr. & Mrs. Burdette Huffman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Humphries Dr. & Mrs. Robert Ivany / University of St. Thomas Jay Jackson & Barbara Waugh Arlene J. Johnson Stacy & Jason Johnson Kurt Johnson & Colleen Matheu Ms. Sheila K. Johnstone Mr. & Mrs. Thorro Jones Dr. & Mrs. Robert Jordon Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kades Mr. & Mrs. Alan Kelly Sara Kelly

$2,500-$4,999

Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Mr. & Mrs. Roy Allice Lindley & Jason Arnoldy John Arnsparger & Susan Weingarten Ann & Jonathan Ayre Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Barbieri Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd M. Bentsen III Ganesh H. Betanabhatla Drs. Henry & Louise Bethea Mrs. Pat Biddle & Mr. Ron Kahl Drs. Desmond & Tiffany Bourgeois James & Judy Bozeman Ting & John Bresnahan Mr. Chester Brooke & Dr. Nancy Poindexter Divya & Chris Brown Mr. Eric Brueggeman Dr. & Mrs. Fred Buckwold Mr. & Mrs. Bruce G. Buhler Nicole & Rueben Cásarez Margot & John Cater Dr. Robert N. Chanon Rhoda & Allen Clamen Mr. & Mrs. Gerald F. Clark Mr. & Mrs. Ray G. Cook Mr. & Mrs. Joffre J. Cross II Mr. & Mrs. John Crum Mr. Darrin Davis & Mr. Mario Gudmundsson Mandy & Rafael Diaz Amanda & Adam Dinitz Mr. & Mrs. Michael Doherty

Patron

Mr. John G. Turner & Mr. Jerry G. Fischer Jeanine Van Wagenen Mr. & Ms. Luciano Vasconcellos Ms. Becky Cottrell & Mr. Thomas Warden Ms. Joann E. Welton Mr. & Mrs. Clint S. Wetmore Dr. Robert Wilkins & Dr. Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins Ms. Barbara Williams

$1,500-$2,499

Mr. & Mrs. Truett B. Akin Dr. Genevera Allen Dr. & Mrs. Scott Allison Dr. Hesham M. Amin & Dr. Lara Ferrario Pat & John Anderson Carol Ann & Bill Anderson Mr. Jeff Autor Dr. Saul & Ursula Balagura Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Bickel George & Florence Boerger Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Bolam Mr. & Mrs. Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl Joe Brazzatti Mr. & Mrs. Ronald A. Brownlee Mr. & Mrs. Cezary Brylski Mr. & Mrs. Raul Caffesse Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Campbell Jr. Louise Carlson & Richard Larrabee Mrs. Mary Ann Carrico Mr. Steve Carroll & Ms. Rachel Dolbier Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Clarke Dr. & Mrs. Alfred C. Coats Jimmy & Lynn Coe 60 | Houston Symphony

Mr. David O. Kem & Mrs. Judith L. Raines Kendall R. Kessel & Harlan Johnson Ms. Carla Knobloch Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Knudson Ann & Sam Koster Michael & Darcy Krajewski Connie Kwan-Wong Mr. Thomas D. Lane Dr. Nashat Latib & Dr. Vinodh Kumar Ms. Joni Hartgraves Latimer John & Suzy Lattin Mr. Joshua Lee & Ms. Julie Van Dr. Daniel Lemke Dr. & Mrs. Morton Leonard Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leonard Mr. William W. Lindley Ms. Leslie Siller & Mr. Jeff H. Lippold Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Littell Dr. & Mrs. James R. Lloyd Cynthia & Richard Loewenstern Ms. Marilyn Maloney & Mr. Paul F. Longstreth Mr. & Mrs. Bob J. Lunn Kathleen & Tom Mach Catherine & Matt Matthews Mr. & Mrs. Rob McKee Mr. Andrew McKinney Ms. Jennifer McLaughlin Doug & Sarah McMurrey

Ms. Ashley McPhail Mr. Adam Miller & Ms. Michelina Cairo Mr. & Mrs. Arnold M. Miller Mr. Shane Miller Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Molloy Mrs. Alette K. Morch Mr. & Mrs. Marvin H. Mueller Amber Winsor Mullins The Hon. Stella G. & Richard C. Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey B. Newton Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Nocella Courtney Fretz Mr. & Mrs. John Oehler Mr. & Mrs. John Ogren Steve & Sue Olson Valerie J. Sherlock Mr. & Mrs. Marc C. Paige Ms. Martha Palmer Mrs. Linda K. Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Alex Popp Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Porter Ms. Linda Posey Mr. & Mrs. King Pouw Penny Prater Rosemin Premji Mr. & Mrs. David Pursell Clinton & Leigh Rappole Mr. & Mrs. T.R. Reckling III

Kate & Christopher Robart Beth Robertson Mr. James L. Robertson Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Ms. Regina J. Rogers Kent Rutter & David Baumann Mr. & Mrs. John Ryder Ramon & Chula Sanchez Dr. & Mrs. David Sapire Mr. Lawrence Schanzmeyer Ms. Sally Schott Donna Scott & Mitch Glassman Mr. Victor E. Serrato Art & Ellen Shelton Justin & Caroline Simons Molly Simpson Barbara & Louis Sklar Mr. Brinton Averil Smith & Ms. Evelyn Chen Mr. Hilary Smith & Ms. Lijda Vellekoop Rebeca & Chad Spencer Mr. & Mrs. John Steen Dr. & Mrs. Michael Stelling Mr. & Dr. J. Michael Stinson Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Stone Skipper & Betsy Strong Mrs. Mary Swafford Mr. Clifford A. Swanlund Jr. Carol Tai

Stephen A. Tew, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Theede Jean & Doug Thomas Ms. Susan L. Thompson Eric & Carol Timmreck Mr. & Mrs. Dale M. Tingleaf Mr. Joel Towner Dr. Shilpa Trivedi Mr. & Mrs. Duane Utecht Susan J. & Gary W. Valka Mr. & Mrs. Donn K. Van Arsdall Dr. & Mrs. Gage Van Horn Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Van Veldhoven Mr. & Mrs. William A. Van Wie Ms. Elise Wagner H. Richard Walton Ms. Nancy Ames & Mr. Danny Ward Mr. & Mrs. Peter S. Wareing Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Weiss Hon. & Mrs. Bill White Mrs. Deanne White Charline & Bill Wilkins Gene & Sandra Williams Loretta & Lawrence Williams Mr. & Mrs. Arthur A. Williford Dr. Wayne Wilner Ms. Charlene Wright Mr. & Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Mr. & Mrs. Bret Zorich Anonymous (6)

YOUNG ASSOCIATES COUNCIL

YOUNG ASSOCIATES COUNCIL Young Associate Premium Ann & Jonathan Ayre James M. Bell Ganesh Betanabhatla Eric Brueggeman David Chambers & Alex Steffler Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson

Young Associate



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 the confines of 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. 

$2,500 or more

Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Amanda & Adam Dinitz Vicky Dominguez Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Jennifer & Joshua Gravenor Ms. Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee

Brian McCulloch & Jeremy Garcia Sami & Jud Morrison Melissa L. Nance Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Dr. Paulina Sergot & Dr. Theo Shybut

Tony Shih – Norton Rose Fulbright Judy & Steve Sohn Drs. Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Georgeta Teodorescu Candace & Brian Thomas

Sara Kelly Mr. Kendall Kessel & Mr. Harlan Johnson Connie Kwan-Wong Dr. Nashat Latib & Dr. Vinodh Kumar Joshua Lee & Julie Van Gerrit Leeftink Catherine & Matt Matthews Ashley McPhail Shane Miller Amber Winsor Mullins

Rosemin Premji Brooke & Nathaniel Richards Kate & Christopher Robart Justin & Caroline Simons Molly Simpson Rebeca & Chad Spencer Carol Tai Joel Towner Dr. Shilpa Trivedi Elise Wagner

$1,500 - $2,499

Farida Abjani Dr. Genevera Allen Drs. Laura & William Black Ryan Boehner Drs. Tiffany & Desmond Bourgeois Sverre & Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Ting & John Bresnahan Divya & Chris Brown Pamela & Cezary Brylski Jacquelyn & Kevin Coronado Crystal & Mike Cox Nina Delano & Wirt Blaffer

Jennifer & Steve Dolman Christine Falgout – Island Operating Co., Inc. Kimberly Falgout – Island Operating Co., Inc. Mark Folkes & Christopher Johnston Alexandra & Daniel Gottschalk Claudio Gutierrez Monica & Burdette Huffman Kurt Johnson & Colleen Matheu Stacy & Jason Johnson

The Young Associates Council is supported in part by BB&T. For more information, please contact: Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, 713.337.8526 Liam Bonner, Development Officer, Individual Giving, 713.337.8536.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 61

Our DONORS continued Director



$1,000-$1,499

Joan & Stanford Alexander Dr. & Mrs. Hugh D. Allen Tara Maria Amavi Mr. & Mrs. Greg Anderson Paul H. & Maida M. Asofsky Mr. Matthew Assiff Jerry Axelrod Mr. & Mrs. David M. Balderston Trace Trahan Bannerman Mr. & Mrs. Allen Barnhill Mr. A. Greer Barriault & Ms. Clarruth A. Seaton Ms. Deborah S. Bautch Dr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Beaudet Carole Shivers Dr. & Mrs. Philip S. Bentlif Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Benton Eldo Bergman, Family Literacy Network Mr. & Mrs. Philippe Berteaud Ms. Nancy H. Bihlmaier Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Mr. & Mrs. Chad Blaine Mr. Jay Blinderman James & Dale Brannon Breland Law Firm Mr. Wayne A. Brooks Sally & Laurence Brown Anne H. Bushman Mrs. Ann Cavanaugh Mr. F. Martin Caylor Ms. Debbie Chance Mr. & Mrs. Chris Chandler Mrs. Victoria Chin Dr. & Mrs. Gary Clark Dr. & Mrs. Martin Cohen Donna M. Collins Shawn & Megan Conley George W. Connelly Mr. & Mrs. Sam Cooper Nigel Curlet Mr. & Mrs. Michael Curry Mr. & Mrs. James D. Dannenbaum Joyce & Arthur Dauber Mr. Darryl de Mello Mr. & Mrs. Rene Degreve Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Deschner

Ms. Aurelie Desmarais & Mr. Ed Struzynski Charles Dishman Mr. John F. Dorn Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Duncan Mrs. William H. Dwyer III Lee & Christie Eubanks Ms. Caroline Fant Dale & Anne Fitz Elizabeth & Ralph Frankowski Bill & Diana Freeman Dr. & Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo Mr. & Mrs. David B. Garten L. Rusty Goetz Susan & Kevin Golden Kathy & Marty Goossen Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Gossett Joyce Z. Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hanson Terry L. & Karen G. Henderson Dean & Beth Hennings Eliane Herring & Jim Goltz Mr. & Mrs. Donald Herron Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hickey Dr. Volker Hirsinger Mr. Stanley Hoffberger Mr. & Mrs. John Horstman Mr. John Horstman Patricia P. Hubbard Mrs. Kerry Incavo Mr. & Mrs. Paul M. Janicke Mr. Robert E. Johnson & Ms. Ariella Perlman Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Katz Lynda & Frank Kelly Ann Kennedy & Geoffrey Walker Mr. & Mrs. James L. Ketelsen Lucy & Victor Kormeier Deborah Kosich Dr. & Mrs. James H. Krause Ms. Dawn Krieg Ms. Mary Leba Velva G. & H. Fred Levine James C. Lindsey Priscilla L. List Dr. & Mrs. Kelly B. Lobley Mr. & Mrs. Paul Loyd

Ms. Barbara Manna Mr. & Mrs. David Martin Mr. & Mrs. Mark Matovich Linda & Jim McCartney Dr. A. McDermott & Dr. A. Glasser Mr. & Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Ernie & Martha McWilliams Ellen Ochoa & Coe Miles Mr. Russell J. Miller & Mrs. Charlotte M. Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Mireles Mr. & Mrs. William Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murphy Daniel & Karol Musher Musicians of the Houston Symphony Inc. Ms. Jennifer Naae Mr. Cliff Nash & Dr. Lee Bar-Eli Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Neumann Leslie & John Niemand Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy W. Nokes Mr. & Mrs. Eric L. Oshlo Linda Popkin-Paine & Stephen Paine Mrs. Kusum Patel Peter & Nina Peropoulos Grace & Carroll Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Harry J. Phillips Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Sam Philpot Mrs. Dana Puddy Patrick T. Quinn Mr. & Mrs. William B. Rawl Mr. Cameron Ray Mr. Vince Reina Ms. Ann Rhoads Mr. Serge G. Ribot H. John & Diane Riley Robertson Wealth Management Mr. Matthew D. Roitstein Mrs. Evie Ronald Jill & Milt Rose Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Ross Brenda & Mansel Rubenstein John & Zhanna Russo Mrs. Holly Sansing Mr. & Mrs. Raymond E. Sawaya Mr. & Mrs. Gary Schiefelbein Beth & Lee D. Schlanger

Charles & Andrea Seay Ms. Monica Simon Mr. & Mrs. Lance Smith Dean & Kay Snider Sherry Snyder Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Standish Richard P. Steele & Mary J. McKerall Mr. & Mrs. James R. Stevens Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Streett Mr. & Mrs. John F. Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Donald Sweeney Mr. & Mrs. Albert S. Tabor Jr. Mr. Monsour Taghdisi Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Tallerine Mrs. Glenda C. Toole Ms. Chung-Nan N. Tsai Dr. & Mrs. Michael Underbrink Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Unger Dr. & Mrs. Brad Urquhart Mr. & Mrs. David Vannauker Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Veith Mr. James Walker Betty & Bill Walker Mr. & Mrs. David Walstad Mr. & Mrs. James A. Watt Mark Wawro & Melanie Gray Beth Weidler & Stephen James General & Mrs. Jasper Welch Ms. Bryony Jane Welsh Mr. & Mrs. Brian K. Westfall Ms. Sara E. White Carlton Wilde Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Winkle Ms. Susan G. Wood Dr. & Mrs. Frank S. Yelin Anonymous (8) *Deceased The Houston Symphony thanks the 3240 donors who gave up to $1000 over the past year. To note any errors or omissions, please contact Tiffany Bourgeois, Development Associate, Annual Fund at 713.337.8559.

VINTAGE VIRTUOSO This holiday season, for the 20th consecutive year, Lindy and John Rydman, the owners of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods and founders of Spec’s Charitable Foundation, worked closely with its suppliers and distributors to host Vintage Virtuoso, a collaborative and superlative evening of great wine and great food to support the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community programs. Over the past two decades, the event has raised almost $2.5 million. This event is part of the reason Spec’s, our Principal Corporate Guarantor, is the Houston Symphony’s largest corporate donor. For its dedication to music education for Houston-area students, Spec’s was recognized with the 2015 BCA 10 award from Americans for the Arts.

Platinum

Southern Glazer’s Republic National Distributing Company

Gold

Bacardi USA Beam Suntory Brown Forman Campari USA Diageo E&J Gallo Freixenet USA Proximo

62 | Houston Symphony

Silver

William Grant & Sons

Bronze

Anheuser-Busch & Silver Eagle Anchor Distilling Bank of American-Merrill Lynch Ben E Keith Constellation Brands International Classified Wines Deutsch Family Wines & Spirits Favorite Brands Moet Hennessy USA Palm Bay International

Patron Spirits Schwepps/Pepsi Serendipity Serralles & Southwest Distilling Tito’s Handmade Vodka Truno Zonin USA

Underwriters

Santa Margherita USA Luxco Lee Tilford Agency Phillips Distilling Harco Insurance Services Wagner Family Wines

Symphony Guests

David Chambers Darlene Clark Mark Hanson Mary Lynn & Steve Marks Vicki West Tara & David Wuthrich Rini & Edward Ziegler This year’s Vintage Virtuoso was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. The Houston Symphony and Spec’s Charitable Foundation thank all of the donors to this event.

POPS DONORS Ima Hogg Society



$150,000 or More

Sybil F. Roos

Founder’s Society



$75,000-$99,99

Darlene & Cappy* Bisso

Concertmaster’s Society



$25,000-$49,999

Evan B. Glick Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange John & Bobbie Nau Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Conductor’s Circle Platinum Baton  $15,000-$24,999 Graham & Janet Baker Allen & Almira Gelwick Lockton Companies Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Ken & Carol Lee Robertson

Conductor’s Circle Gold Baton  $10,000-$14,999 Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Anne & George Boss Brad & Joan Corson Martha & Marvin McMurrey Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Michael J. Shawiak Shirley Wolff Toomim Shirley & Joel Wahlberg

Conductor’s Circle Silver Baton  $7,500-$9,999 Lilia Khakimova & C. Robert Bunch Scott Ensell & Family Ms. Darlene Clark & Mr. Edwin C. Friedrichs Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Mrs. Gloria Pepper & Dr. Bernard Katz Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Dr. Cameron Mitchell Rita & Paul Morico Jean & Allan Quiat Radoff Family Anonymous (1)

Conductor’s Circle Bronze Baton  $5,000-$7,499 Danielle & Josh Batchelor Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Ms. Miquel A. Correll Connie & Byron Dyer Mrs. Jane Egner Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fluor Mr. & Mrs. Eric J. Gongre Mr. & Mrs. Edd C. Hendee Dr. Rita Justice Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kellogg

Michael & Kelley Lang Mrs. Nancy Lease Terry & Kandee McGill Alice R. McPherson, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Mr. & Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr. Ms. Angela Sherman Jeanine Van Wagenen Sally & Denney Wright Anonymous (1)

Grand Patron’s Circle  $2,500-$4,999 Mr. & Mrs. J. Emery Anderson Beth & Jim Barton Donald & Dottie Bates John S. Beury Drs. Laura & William Black Robert & Gwen Bray Mr. & Mrs. Brady F. Carruth Joseph & Rebecca Demeter Jo Lynn & Gregg Falgout / Island Operating Company Julius & Suzan Glickman Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth C. Margolis William D. & Karinne McCullough Mr. & Mrs. David R. McKeithan Jr. Richard & Juliet Moynihan Shirley & Marvin Rich Dr. & Mrs. Richard Robbins Douglas & Alicia Rodenberger Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Mr. Morris Rubin Mr. & Mrs. James Schulz

Patron’s Circle  $1,500-$2,499 Suan Angelo Sue Sue & Don Aron Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Banks Mr. Jim Barton Mr. & Mrs. Ron Bertus Michael & Diana Bonin Mr. Thomas N. Britton & Ms. Debra A. Ewing Ms. Barbara A. Brooks Mr. & Mrs. William V. Conover II Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. Cook Cynthia & Robert Creager Mr. & Mrs. David Dybell Mr. J. Richard Espinosa Carol & Larry Fradkin Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Hall

Mr. & Mrs. Franklin J. Harberg Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John Kemper Rex & Marillyn King Gerrit Leeftink Mr. & Mrs. Barry I. Levine Ms. Sue Ann Lurcott Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth C. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Mason Steve & Linda Massie Mr. & Mrs. Danny Mei Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Nilson Joy & Gary Noble Ms. Kathryn O’Brien Mrs. Kay Onstead Mr. & Mrs. Kim Parker Ms. Darla P. Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Gary Prentice Judy & Bill Pursell Venu & Elsie Rao Mr. & Mrs. John T. Riordan Rosemarie & Jeff Roth Mrs. Lynda G. Seaman Mr. & Dr. Adrian D. Shelley Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stratigakis Mr. & Mrs. Karl Strobl Jonathan & Susan Symko Dean B. Walker Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wertman Doug & Kay Wilson Anonymous (3)

Director  $1,000-$1,499 Dr. & Mrs. William S. Banks III Ms. Patricia K. Boyd Ms. Deborah Butler Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Chapman Kelly & Julie Conner Marilyn & Tucker Coughlen Barbara Dokell & Larry Finger Paula & Alfred Friedlander Betsy Garlinger Gary T. Leach Sue Ann Lurcott Mr. & Ms. Hubert Magee Mr. & Mrs. Alan May Jr. Mr. William Mendel Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Mosbacher Terri & Bert Neece Dr. & Mrs. Michael C. Rasmussen Chris & Don Sanders Mr. & Mrs. Carl N. Tongberg Ms. Jody Verwers Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Wilson Dr. & Mrs. Frank S. Yelin Anonymous (2)

Principal  $500-$999 Mr. & Mrs. David Archibald Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Armes Ms. Stephanie Ayala Martha C. Bair Mr. & Mrs. John P. Beall Betty & Gerald Beathard Dr. & Mrs. Larry Brenner Mr. & Mrs. Rick A. Burris Mr. & Mrs. Ray Butler Vicki Buxton Bill & Marion Calvert Mr. & Mrs. Jim Chandler Ms. Donna J. Charleson

Richard & Marcia Churns Carlo & Vicki Corso Mr. Ramsay M. Elder Mildred & Richard Ellis Dr. & Mrs. Charles Ericsson Mr. John Eymann Mr. & Mrs. John R. Farina Lynne Liberato & James B. Flodine Ms. Dawn Folsom Jessica Ford Robert J. Grant Mr. & Mrs. Dale Hardy Ann & Bill Heim Richard & Beverly Hickman Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Hill Mr. & Mrs. Don Hubbard Mr. & Mrs. George C. John Dave & Laura Kirk Mr. & Mrs. Joe D. Koshkin Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred M. Krenek Ms. Nancy W. Lawrence Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Levinson Dr. & Mrs. James Lewis Ms. Joyce Lindler Mr. Khambrel Marshall Mr. & Mrs. Joe T. McMillan Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Moen Ms. Wynona Montgomery Paul & Molly Mugnier Mr. & Mrs. Dan Neskora Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Noland Joe & Ann Palm Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Parkey Kim & Ted A. Powell Roland & Linda Pringle Mr. & Mrs. Ben A. Reid Ms. Stacey Saunders & Mr. Jeff Smith Ms. Roc’C Semmelbeck Claudette & Tim Shaunty Mr. William Siegel Jerry Siemers Mr. Lawrence C. Smith Thomas W. Snodgrass Mr. & Mrs. Edward Stuart Dr. & Mrs. Frank C. Sung Mr. Roger Trandell Wear Family Douglas & Carolynne White Mrs. Elizabeth White Mr. & Mrs. George R. Williams Roland & Charlene Wise Mr. Eric Wooten Mr. & Mrs. Alan Young Anonymous (3) *Deceased The Houston Symphony thanks the 971 donors who gave up to $499 over the past year. To note any errors or omissions, please contact Tiffany Bourgeois, Development Associate, Annual Fund, at 713.337.8559.

InTUNE — March 2017 | 63

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 Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at 713.337.8526 or molly.simpson@houstonsymphony.org.

Mr. William L. Ackerman Megan Conley, Principal Harp Janice Barrow Sophia Silivos, First Violin Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Fay Shapiro, Viola Mr. Gary V. Beauchamp & Ms. Marian Wilfert Beauchamp Martha Chapman, Second Violin Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Sergei Galperin, First Violin Dr. & Mrs. Meherwan P. Boyce Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello Mr. & Mrs. Walter Bratic Christopher Neal, First Violin Ms. Terry A. Brown James R. Denton, Cello Mr. Ralph Burch Robin Kesselman, Principal Double Bass Mr. & Mrs. Dougal A. Cameron Brian Thomas, Horn Dr. Mary Kathryn Campion & Mr. Stephen Liston Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Louis-Marie Fardet, Cello Mr. & Mrs. Robert Cizik Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Ms. Janet F. Clark Kevin Dvorak, Cello Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian George Pascal, Assistant Principal Viola Mr. & Mrs. Bert Cornelison Judy Dines, Flute Mr. & Mrs. Roger Cutler Tong Yan, First Violin Dr. Scott Cutler Scott Holshouser, Principal Keyboard Mr. Richard L. Danforth Jeffrey Butler, Cello Ms. Leslie B. Davidson & Mr. W. Robins Brice Colin Gatwood, Oboe

Mr. & Mrs. Craig A. Fox David Malone, Associate Principal Double Bass Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Mr. & Mrs. Stephen W. Glenn Christian Schubert, Clarinet Mr. Evan B. Glick Tong Yan, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Kaplan Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Linda Goldstein, Viola Mr. & Mrs. Ulyesse J. LeGrange Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet Rochelle & Max Levit Sergei Galperin, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Harry Mach Joan DerHovsepian, Associate Principal Viola Mr. & Mrs. 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 Mr. & Mrs. Jay Marks Sergei Galperin, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Kurt Johnson, First Violin Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Pat McCelvey Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Mr. & Mrs. Eugene H. Dewhurst Phillip Freeman, Trombone

Mr. & Mrs. Gene McDavid Linda A. Goldstein, Viola

Mr. Duke Ensell Donald Howey, Double Bass

Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein & Mr. Martin J. Fein Ferenc Illenyi, First Violin

64 | Houston Symphony

Mr. & Mrs. Marvin McMurrey Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Dr. & Mrs.* Robert M. Mihalo Brian Thomas, Horn

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

Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Morico Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stamatedes Eric Larson, Double Bass

Mrs. Nancy Morrison Wayne Brooks, Principal Viola

Mr. Mike S. Stude

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin Mrs. Bobbie Newman Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Nyquist Sheldon Person, Viola Mr. Edward C. Osterberg Jr. & Dr. Susan Osterberg MiHee Chung, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Nancy Goodearl, Horn Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Peiser Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe Mr. & Mrs. David R. Pruner Matthew Strauss, Percussion Mr. & Mrs. Joe Pryzant Matthew Strauss, Percussion Mr. & Mrs. Ron R. Rand Myung Soon Lee, Cello Mrs. Lila Rauch Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Rubenstein Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion Mr. & Mrs. John Rydman Anthony Kitai, Cello Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Phyllis Herdliska, Viola Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Shannon Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon Mr. & Mrs. Tim Shen Tina Zhang, Second Violin Mr. Albert J. Smith Jr. Eric Arbiter, Associate Principal Bassoon Mr. & Mrs. Tad Smith Marina Brubaker, First Violin Dr. Alana R. Spiwak & Mr. Sam Stolbun Wei Jiang, Viola

Mr. & Mrs. L. Proctor Thomas III Mr. & Mrs. Paul S. Thomas Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn Ms. Susan L. Thompson George Pascal, Assistant Principal Viola Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Tudor III Bradley White, Associate Principal Trombone Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Daniel Strba, Viola Ms. Judith Vincent Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Flute Mr. & Mrs. Joel Wahlberg Alexander Potiomkin, Clarinet Dr. Margaret Waisman & Dr. Steven S. Callahan Mark Griffith, Percussion Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Wallace Ronald Holdman, Principal Timpani Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Megan Conley, Principal Harp Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Weil Jr. Amy Teare, Second Violin Ms. Vicki West Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Dr. James T. Willerson Anne Leek, Associate Principal Oboe Mrs. Margaret Alkek Williams Concertmaster Steven & Nancy Williams MiHee Chung, First Violin Mr. Wallace S. Wilson & Mrs. Jeanie Kilroy Wilson Xiao Wong, Cello Mr. & Mrs. Ed Wulfe Dave Kirk, Principal Tuba Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zilkha Kurt Johnson, First Violin *Deceased

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, Director, 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.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY BUSINESS COUNCIL The Houston Symphony is grateful for the philanthropic support of its Corporate Partners. With the foresight of Houston’s business community, our organization will fulfill its vision of becoming America’s most relevant and accessible topten orchestra by 2025.

If your company is interested in deepening its connection with the Houston Symphony, consider our Business Council.

Co-Chairs Ralph Burch, ConocoPhillips David Wuthrich, Civic/Cultural Leader

Business Council Host Committee

Prentiss Burt, JP Morgan Chase Justice Brett Busby, Texas Court of Appeals, 14th District Janet F. Clark, Marathon Oil Corporation (retired) Bradley Corson, Exxon Mobil Corporation Gene Dewhurst, Falcon Seaboard Diversified Mike Doherty, Frost Bank David Frankfort, Deutsche Bank Ron Franklin, McGuireWoods, LLP Allen Gelwick, Lockton Companies, LLC Steven P. Mach, Mach Industrial Group, LP Michael Mann, Mann Eye Institute Paul Mann, Mann Eye Institute David Massin, Wells Fargo

Open to current subscribers, donors and Board members affiliated with a business, the council provides opportunities to increase corporate participation by offering networking and special behind-the-scenes events.

To learn more about how to get involved, please contact Leticia Konigsberg, Director, Corporate Relations, at 713.337.8522 or leticia.konigsberg@houstonsymphony.org.

Billy McCartney, Flat Rock Development, LLC Paul Morico, Baker Botts L.L.P. Ed Osterberg, Mayer Brown, LLP Robert A. Peiser, Parkton Group Greg Powers, Halliburton David Pruner, Heidrick & Struggles Ron Rand, Rand Group, LLC John Rydman, Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods Manolo Sánchez, BBVA Compass Jerry Simon, Northern Trust L. Proctor Thomas, Baker Botts L.L.P. (retired) William J. Toomey, BB&T Bobby Tudor, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Company Jesse B. Tutor, Accenture (retired) Margaret Waisman, Affiliated Dermatologists of Houston Fredric A. Weber, Norton Rose Fulbright Beth Wolff, Beth Wolff Realtors Ed Wulfe, Wulfe & Co. Frank Yonish, Bank of Texas

Corporate, Foundation & Government PARTNERS continued



InTUNE — March 2017 | 65

CORPORATE PARTNERS

(as of February 1, 2017)

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 *Oliver Wyman Guarantor  $100,000 and above Bank of America Chevron *Houston Methodist Medistar Corporation PaperCity *Telemundo *United Airlines Underwriter  $50,000 and above *Baker Botts L.L.P. *BB&T Cameron International Corporation *Cameron Management *Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemetaries ENGIE *The Events Company Exxon Mobil Corporation Frost Bank Houston Baptist University Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo *Jackson and Company Kirkland & Ellis LLP Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center Occidental Petroleum Corporation Palmetto Partners Ltd./The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation *Rand Group, LLC

Shell Oil Company Vinson & Elkins LLP Sponsor  $25,000 and above Bank of Texas The Boeing Company *Bright Star *Bulgari Enterprise Product Partners L.P. *Gittings *Houston Chronicle *Houston First Corporation JPMorgan Chase Kalsi Engineering KPMG LLP Marine Foods Express, Ltd. McGuireWoods, LLP *Neiman Marcus Northern Trust Norton Rose Fulbright Sidley Austin LLP *Silver Circle Audio SPIR STAR, Ltd. The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center Wells Fargo WoodRock & Co. Partner  $15,000 and above Anadarko Petroleum Corporation *City Kitchen *Glazier’s Distributors Gorman’s Uniform Service Halliburton H-E-B Independent Bank Laredo Construction, Inc. Locke Lord LLP Lockton Companies of Houston Republic National Distributing Company, LLP The Newfield Foundation USI Southwest

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS Aetna Aon Apache Corporation Bank of America BBVA Compass BHP Billiton The Boeing Company BP Foundation Caterpillar Chevron Chubb Group Coca-Cola

66 | Houston Symphony

Supporter  $10,000 and above *Abraham’s Oriental Rugs *Agua Hispanic Marketing CenterPoint Energy Emerson Enbridge Energy Company Goldman, Sachs & Co. Marathon Oil Corporation *Silver Eagle Distributors Star Furniture Union Pacific Foundation *Zenfilm Benefactor  $5,000 and above Barclay’s Wealth and Investment Management Beck Redden LLP Louis Vuitton Macy's Nordstrom Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, L.L.P. Plains All American *Randalls Food Markets Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. Spectra Energy *University of St. Thomas Wortham Insurance and Risk Management Patron  Gifts below $5,000 Adolph Locklar, Intellectual Property Law Firm Beth Wolff Realtors Intertek SEI, Global Institutional Group Smith, Graham & Company Stewart Title Company TAM International, Inc. * Includes in-kind support

(as of February 1, 2017)

ConocoPhillips Eli Lilly and Company EOG Resources Exxon Mobil Corporation Freeport – McMoRan Oil & Gas General Electric General Mills Goldman, Sachs & Company Halliburton Hewlett-Packard Houston Endowment IBM

ING Financial Services Corporation KBR Merrill Lynch NAACO Industries, Inc. Neiman Marcus Northern Trust Occidental Petroleum Corporation Phillips 66 Shell Oil Company Spectra Energy Williams Companies, Inc.

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Diamond Guarantor  $1,000,000 and above Houston Symphony Endowment Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Premier Guarantor  $500,000 and above The Brown Foundation, Inc. City of Houston and Theater District Improvement, Inc. Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The C. Howard Pieper Foundation Principal Guarantor  $250,000 and above The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Grand Guarantor  $150,000 and above City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board The Cullen Foundation Guarantor  $100,000 and above Houston Endowment MD Anderson Foundation

IN-KIND DONORS

(as of February 1, 2017)

Underwriter  $50,000 and above The Elkins Foundation The Fondren Foundation The Hearst Foundations Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment The Humphreys Foundation LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation / Palmetto Partners Ltd. The Robbins Foundation Sponsor  $25,000 and above Beauchamp Foundation Ray C. Fish Foundation Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation Partner  $15,000 and above Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation The Hood-Barrow Foundation Houston Symphony League Bay Area William S. and Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation National Endowment on the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts The Vaughn Foundation

Supporter  $10,000 and above The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation Petrello Family Foundation The Powell Foundation Radoff Family Foundation The Schissler Foundation The Vivian L. Smith Foundation Anonymous Benefactor  $5,000 and above William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation The Scurlock Foundation Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation Strake Foundation Patron  Gifts below $5,000 The Cockrell Foundation Diamond Family Foundation First Junior Woman’s Club of Houston The Helmle-Shaw Foundation Huffington Foundation Leon Jaworski Foundation Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation Kinder Morgan Foundation Robert W. & Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation The Lubrizol Foundation State Employee Charitable Campaign

(as of February 1, 2017)

A Fare Extraordinaire Aker Imaging Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc. Aspire Executive Coaching, LLC Baanou Bergner & Johnson Design Bering’s Bistro Menil BKD, LLP Boat Ranch Burberry Classical 91.7 FM Cognetic Complete Eats Cullnaire Carl R. Cunningham Donoho's Jewellers DLG Research & Marketing Solutions Elaine Turner Designs Elegant Events by Michael Elsie Smith Design Festari Foster Quan LLP

Grotto in the Woodlands Gucci Hermann Park Conservancy Hilton Americas – Houston Hotel Granduca Hotel Icon Houston Astros Houston Grand Opera Houston Texans InterContinental Hotel Houston JOHANNUS Organs of Texas John L. Worthan & Son, L.P. John Wright/Textprint JW Marriott Houston Downtown Kuhl-Linscomb The Lancaster Hotel 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 Pax Americana 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 The Events Company The Parson Family, in memory of Dorothy Anne Parson Tony’s Tootsies Valobra Jewelry & Antiques Versace Village Greenway Vision Production Group Yahama InTUNE — March 2017 | 67

Backstage PASS Meet Tianjie Lu, second violin Tianjie Lu, a native of Qingdao, China, joined the Houston Symphony in 2016. He received his master of music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he studied on full scholarship with Kathleen Winkler. He also studied on full scholarship at Meadowmount School of Music, where he was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2012.

He completed his bachelor of music degree at Mannes College, where he studied with Sally Thomas. He previously studied with Wei-Dong Tong at the middle school affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

In 2014, Tianjie won second prize in the Ruth Burr Competition for Instrumentalists. In 2005, he attended the Great Wall International Music Academy. The following year, he took first prize in the concerto competition at the second Beijing International Music Festival and Academy, and he was honored at China’s eighth National Violin Performance Competition He also attended the Music Academy in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Early Days: I was born in Qingdao, China, in 1989 into a family of musicians. I began my violin studies at age 4 with my father, who was a principal viola in Qingdao Symphony Orchestra. His engagement with music influenced me, and I was offered a chance to sit in on rehearsals and concerts by his orchestra at a very early age, when classical music was still unfamiliar to most Chinese families. Once I began to learn violin, my parents suspected that I may be gifted, since I was making such quick progress. As a boy, I attended the middle school affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, which is considered one of the best music schools in China. During high school, I found that I was more attracted to classical music than anything else. So, I decided to pursue music in college. My teachers, Kathleen Winkler in graduate school, Sally Thomas in college and Wei-Dong Tong in high school, were very supportive of my musical career. Their dedication helped me develop into the player I am today. I cannot thank them enough for their time and wisdom.

Coming to Houston: When I moved here in 2012 from New York City for my graduate school, I was so impressed by Houston as such a welcoming city. Houston is more attractive to me than New York City, in the way it values and appreciates diversity.

The warm and friendly people make the community appealing, which probably explains the fast-growing population in 68 | Houston Symphony

Houston over the last several years. As the fourth largest city in the United States, I was amazed by Houston’s affordable cost of living, which is increasingly difficult to find in big cities nowadays.

Inspiration: I especially enjoy performing compositions from the Romantic period. Those expressive and emotional pieces always touch my heart. Music is a language full of imagination. I am always fascinated by the creativity of each composer. When playing the pieces, I always feel I am led into the scenario the composers imagined.

Additionally, I can add my own imagination to the work, which makes me feel more engaged with the music.

Outside of Jones Hall: I am a huge sports fan, especially of soccer. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time on the field and cheering for teams on TV. Those would be two places you might find me today. Occasionally, I also play basketball, ping-pong, badminton and pool.

My wife, Shuqiao, and I also enjoy travelling. We have been to California, New York, New Jersey, Boston and Chicago in the past few years. We are planning to visit more cities soon.

Top: An early photo taken by my father, an amateur photographer Middle and Bottom: On vacation in California with my wife, Shuqiao

KEEPING ELITE PERFORMERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRACTICING MEDICINE AND LEADING IT. At Houston Methodist, we’re proud partners in helping artists achieve peak performance, week in and week out. We treat artists and their unique needs while bringing the same level of specialized care to every patient we serve.

For a physician referral or appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3333.