InTune | November 2022

InTUNE Holst’s The Planets

© Disney

Brahms 3

November 2022

Disney’s Fantasia

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Your Houston Symphony Welcome to the Houston Symphony

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Your Symphony Experience

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Juraj Valčuha, Music Director

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Orchestra Roster

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Society Board of Trustees

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Administrative Staff DeLUXE K!DS In Harmony Opening Night Concert and Gala Community-Embedded Fellowship What Planet Are You? Quiz

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Programs Holst’s The Planets Brahms 3 Disney’s Fantasia

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Our Supporters Houston Symphony Donors

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Young Associates Council

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Corporate, Foundation & Gov. Partners

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Houston Symphony Endowment

47

Legacy Society

48

Musician Sponsorships

49

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INTUNE November 2022

welcome to the houston symphony

Dear Music Lovers, Welcome to November at the Houston Symphony!

Our season is off to a fantastic start. Concerts in September and October had the orchestra sounding better than ever with our new Music Director, Juraj Valčuha, our Principal POPS Conductor, Steven Reineke, and a host of magnificent guests. Audiences thrilled to exciting collaborations with the stellar talents of Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Capathia Jenkins, and Cirque de la Symphonie. And our Education and Community Engagement initiatives served thousands of Houstonians in a variety of settings, from one-on-one bedside visits at our hospital and health care partners to student concerts for thousands of young people at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

on Thanksgiving weekend with Disney’s Fantasia in Concert, a perennial favorite that brings back memories of seeing the movie in theaters as kids, an introduction to classical music for so many of us.

The Fantasia weekend also marks the beginning of the holidays here at the Symphony. We have some wonderful programs for you to share with family and friends in December—Home Alone in Concert, our annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, Very Merry Pops, and Ho-Ho Holiday, a special concert for families. It’s also a time when we’re grateful for our audiences, donors, and supporters. If you haven’t made a gift to the Symphony’s annual fund yet, now’s the time to do it. Two-thirds of our funding comes from our donors, and we couldn’t offer the incredible concerts and the wide-ranging and impactful Education and Community Engagement initiatives without your generosity. We can’t do it without you!

This month, we continue the trend, kicking things off with the 31st year of Fiesta Sinfónica, a free Community Concert here at Jones Hall on November 4, sponsored since 2006 by Chevron. We welcome guest conductor Gemma New and cellist Camille Thomas, both making their Symphony debuts, for a program featuring Holst’s showpiece The Planets.

The next weekend, Thomas Søndergård returns with pianist Lise de la Salle for a program steeped in musical Romanticism. And we close out the month

Thanks so much for being with us, and enjoy the concerts!

John Mangum Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

Houston Symphony

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POPS SERIES

HOLIDAY SERIES

Let’s talk about your end-of-year charitable strategies!

Deepen Your Impact in Houston.

Greater Houston Community Foundation inspires and creates meaningful and positive change with our donors and for our community. We are Greater Houston’s premier partner for donor advised funds, disaster relief, family philanthropy, and more.

If you’ve been planning on opening a donor advised fund in 2022, now is the time! Make sure your financial plans fit with the important year-end giving deadlines.

Andrea Mayes Senior Director of Charitable Solutions amayes@ghcf.org 713-333-2203

www.ghcf.org 515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1000 Houston, Texas, 77027

your symphony experience JONES HALL

ETIQUETTE

Since the opening of Jones Hall in 1966, millions of arts patrons have enjoyed countless musical and stage performances at the venue. Dominating an entire city block, Jones Hall features a stunning travertine marble facade, 66-foot ceilings, and a brilliantly lit grand entrance. Jones Hall is a monument to the memory of Jesse Holman Jones, a towering figure in Houston during the first half of the 20th century.

For Classical concerts, if a work has several movements it is traditional to hold applause until the end of the last movement. If you are unsure when a piece ends, check the program or wait for the conductor to face the audience. If you feel truly inspired, however, do not be afraid to applaud!

Brief applause between movements after an exceptional performance is always appreciated.

CHILDREN

DEVICES

We strive to provide the best possible auditory experience of our world-class orchestra. Noise from phones, candy wrappers, and talking is distracting to the performers on stage and those around you. Please help us make everyone’s concert enjoyable by silencing electronic devices now and remaining quiet during the performance.

FOOD & DRINK POLICY The Encore Café and in-hall bars are open for Symphony performances, and food and drink will be permitted in bar areas. Food is not permitted inside the auditorium. Patrons may bring drinks into the auditorium for Bank of America POPS Series concerts and Symphony Specials. Drinks are not permitted inside the auditorium for Classical concerts.

LOST & FOUND For lost and found inquiries, please contact Patron Experience Coordinator Freddie Piegsa during the performance. He also can be reached at freddie.piegsa@houstonsymphony.org. You also may contact Houston First after the performances at 832.487.7050.

Houston Symphony

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Children ages six and up are welcome to all Classical, Bank of America POPS, and Symphony Special concerts. Children of all ages are welcome at PNC Family Series performances. Children must have a ticket for all ticketed events.

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

TICKETS Subscribers to six or more Classical or Bank of America POPS concerts, as well as PNC Family Subscribers, may exchange their tickets at no cost. Tickets to Symphony Specials or single ticket purchases are ineligible for exchange or refund.

If you are unable to make a performance, your ticket may be donated prior to the concert for a tax-donation receipt. Donations and exchanges may be made in person, over the phone, or online.

THANK YOU to our sponsors

SEASON SPONSORS

Principal Corporate Guarantor

Official Airline

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Preferred Jewelry Partner

Official Brand Partner

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SERIES SPONSORS

RAND G ROUP

Gold Classics

Favorite Masters

Family Series

Great Performers

Summer Series

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POPS Series

Holiday Series

INTUNE INTUNE November August 2022

Juraj valČuha Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Conductor Juraj Valčuha is recognized for his effortless expressiveness and depth of musicianship.

With sharp baton technique and natural stage presence, the impressive ease of his interpretations translate even the most complex scores into immersive experiences. His profound understanding of composer and score, taste, and naturally elegant style make him one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation.

Since 2016, Valčuha has been music director of the Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, and first guest conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. He was chief conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI from 2009 to 2016.

The 2005–06 Season marked the start of his international career with exciting concerts on the podium of the Orchestre National de France followed by remarkable debuts in the U.K. with the Philharmonia London, in Germany with the Munich Philharmonic, and in the United States with the Pittsburgh Symphony. His Italian debut took place at Teatro Comunale in Bologna with a sensational production of La bohème.

International touring with the Orchestra Sinfonica della RAI took them to the Musikverein in Vienna and the Philharmonie in Berlin, as well as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Zurich, Basel, and Munich, and to the Enesco Festival in Bucharest and the Abu Dhabi Classics. He has also toured with the Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin to Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn to mark the 100th anniversary of the Baltic nations.

He has since led the Berlin Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra,

Houston Symphony

Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Vienna Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Swedish Radio Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, BBC Symphony, Philharmonia London, Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Maggio Musicale in Florence, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Milan’s Filarmonica della Scala, Montréal Symphony, and NHK and Yomiuri orchestras in Tokyo. His active career in the United States has taken him to the orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Utah.

He enjoys regular collaborations with orchestras in Houston, Minnesota, New York, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.

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Valčuha champions the compositions of living composers and aims to program contemporary pieces in most of his concerts. He has conducted world premieres, including Christopher Rouses’s Supplica with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Steven Mackey’s violin concerto with Leila Josefowicz and the BBC Symphony in Manchester, and Nico Muhly’s Bright Idea with the Houston Symphony. In 2005, he conducted, in the presence of the composer, Steve Reich’s Four Sections at the Melos-Ethos Festival in Bratislava. Other composers he has supported and continues to follow with interest are Bryce Dessner, Andrew Norman, Luca Francesconi, James MacMillan, and Steven Stucky, among others.

On the opera stage, he has conducted Madama Butterfly, Elisir d‘amore, and Marriage of Figaro at the Bavarian State Opera Munich; Elektra and Turandot

at the Deutsche Oper Berlin; Faust and The Love for Three Oranges in Florence; Jenůfa, Peter Grimes, Salome, Tristan und Isolde, and Ariadne auf Naxos in Bologna; Peter Grimes in Venice; and Elektra, Carmen, Bluebeard’s Castle, Die Walküre, The Girl of the Golden West, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Katja Kabanova, and Pique Dame in Naples.

Juraj Valčuha was awarded the Premio Abbiati 2018 from Italian Music critics in the Best Conductor category.

His engagements in the 2022–23 Season will take him to the Houston, Pittsburgh and San Francisco Orchestras, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Orchestre National de France. He will conduct Verdi’s Don Carlo at Teatro San Carlo in Naples, and La bohème and Tristan und Isolde at the Bavarian State Opera Munich.

Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Juraj studied composition and conducting in his birth place, then at the Conservatory in St. Petersburg (with Ilya Musin), and finally, at the Conservatoire Supérieur de la Musique in Paris. jurajvalcuha.com

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INTUNE November 2022

ORCHESTRA ROSTER Juraj Valčuha

Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Conductor Laureate

Yue Bao, Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Assistant Conductor Allen Hightower, Director Houston Symphony Chorus

FIRST VIOLIN Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster Max Levine Chair Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Ellen E. Kelley Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Fondren Foundation Chair Marina Brubaker Tong Yan MiHee Chung Sophia Silivos Rodica Gonzalez Ferenc Illenyi Si-Yang Lao Kurt Johnson Christopher Neal Sergei Galperin

DOUBLE BASS Robin Kesselman, Principal Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal Mark Shapiro Eric Larson Andrew Pedersen Burke Shaw Donald Howey

CONTRABASSOON Adam Trussell

Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

SECOND VIOLIN MuChen Hsieh, Principal Amy Semes, Associate Principal Annie Kuan-Yu Chen Mihaela Frusina Jing Zheng Martha Chapman* Tianjie Lu* Anastasia Ehrlich Tina Zhang Boson Mo Julia Schilz+ Teresa Wang+ VIOLA Joan DerHovsepian, Acting Principal Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal Sheldon Person Fay Shapiro Phyllis Herdliska Keoni Bolding Samuel Pedersen Meredith Harris+ Suzanne LeFevre+

FLUTE Aralee Dorough, Principal General Maurice Hirsch Chair Matthew Roitstein*, Associate Principal Judy Dines Acting Associate Principal Mark Teplitsky+ Kathryn Ladner PICCOLO Kathryn Ladner OBOE Jonathan Fischer, Principal Lucy Binyon Stude Chair Anne Leek, Associate Principal Colin Gatwood Adam Dinitz ENGLISH HORN Adam Dinitz CLARINET Mark Nuccio, Principal Bobbie Nau Chair Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Christian Schubert Alexander Potiomkin E-FLAT CLARINET Thomas LeGrand

CELLO Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Janice and Thomas Barrow Chair Christopher French, Associate Principal Anthony Kitai Louis-Marie Fardet Jeffrey Butler Maki Kubota Xiao Wong Charles Seo Jeremy Kreutz

BASS CLARINET Alexander Potiomkin Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair

COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIANS David Connor, double bass Rainel Joubert, violin

STAGE PERSONNEL Stefan Stout, Stage Manager José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager Nicholas DiFonzo and Justin Herriford, Stage Technicians Giancarlo Minotti, Recording Assistant

ASSOCIATE LIBRARIAN Luke Bryson

BASSOON Rian Craypo, Principal Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal Elise Wagner Adam Trussell

ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN Hae-a Lee

Houston Symphony

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HORN William VerMeulen, Principal Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Endowed Chair Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Brian Thomas Nancy Goodearl Ian Mayton Jesse Clevenger+ TRUMPET Mark Hughes, Principal George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Chair John Parker, Associate Principal Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Richard Harris TROMBONE Bradley White, Acting Principal Ryan Rongone+ Phillip Freeman BASS TROMBONE Phillip Freeman TUBA Dave Kirk, Principal TIMPANI Leonardo Soto, Principal Matthew Strauss, Associate Principal PERCUSSION Brian Del Signore, Principal Mark Griffith Matthew Strauss HARP (Vacant) KEYBOARD Scott Holshouser, Principal LIBRARIAN Jeanne Case, Principal

*on leave + contracted substitute

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

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Classical Series Bank of America POPS Series

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Specials PNC Family Series

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INTUNE October 2022

2022–23 SEASON

SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE John Rydman President

Barbara J. Burger President-Elect

Paul Morico General Counsel

Janet F. Clark Chair

Mike S. Stude Chairman Emeritus

Barbara McCelvey Secretary

Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance

Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member

Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative

Cheryl Byington^ President, Houston Symphony League

Adam Trussell^ Musician Representative

Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership Manuel Delgado Chair, Marketing & Communications

Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning Ed Schneider Chair, Community Partnerships

Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming

Miles O. Smith Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs

Lidiya Gold Chair, Development

Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit

Sippi Khurana Chair, Education

Steven P. Mach ^ Immediate Past Chairman

James H. Lee III^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director, Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Houston Symphony

Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative Katie Salvatore^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio

Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative

GOVERNING DIRECTORS Jonathan Ayre Marcia Backus Gary Beauchamp Tony Bradfield Eric Brueggeman Bill Bullock Barbara J. Burger Janet F. Clark Lidiya Gold William D. Hunt Rick Jaramillo Sippi Khurana, M.D. Carey Kirkpatrick

John Mangum^ Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

EX-OFFICIO Kenny Kurtzman Isabel Stude Lummis Cora Sue Mach** Rodney Margolis** Jay Marks** Mary Lynn Marks Elissa Martin Barbara McCelvey Paul R. Morico Robert Orr Chris Powers John Rydman** Miles O. Smith

Anthony Speier William J. Toomey II Bobby Tudor** Betty Tutor** Jesse B. Tutor** Judith Vincent Gretchen Watkins Robert Weiner Margaret Alkek Williams**

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Cheryl Byington Brad W. Corson Manuel Delgado Joan DerHovsepian Evan B. Glick Mark Hughes James H. Lee III Steven P. Mach John Mangum Mark Nuccio Katie Salvatore Ed Schneider Adam Trussell Juraj Valčuha

TRUSTEES Janice Barrow ** David J. Beck James M. Bell Jr. Devinder Bhatia, M.D. Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Nancy Shelton Bratic Terry Ann Brown** Ralph Burch Dougal Cameron John T. Cater** Robert Chanon Michael H. Clark Virginia Clark Evan D. Collins, M.D., MBA Brad W. Corson Andrew Davis, Ph.D. Denise Davis Manuel Delgado Tracy Dieterich

Bob Duff Joan Duff Connie Dyer Jeffrey B. Firestone Eugene A. Fong Aggie L. Foster Julia Anderson Frankel Ronald G. Franklin Evan B. Glick Gary L. Hollingsworth Stephen Incavo, M.D. Brian James I. Ray Kirk, M.D. David Krieger Andrew Go Lee, M.D. Ulyesse J. LeGrange** Matthew Loden Steven P. Mach Michael Mann, M.D.

Jack Matzer Jackie Wolens Mazow Alexander K. McLanahan** Marilyn Miles Shane A. Miller Aprill Nelson Tammy Tran Nguyen Leslie Nossaman Scott Nyquist Edward Osterberg Jr. David Pruner Gloria G. Pryzant Miwa Sakashita Ed Schneider Helen Shaffer** Robert B. Sloan, D.D., Theol.

Jim R. Smith Quentin Smith Mike S. Stude **

Ishwaria Subbiah, M.D. Shirley W. Toomim Margaret Waisman, M.D. Fredric A. Weber Mrs. S. Conrad Weil Vicki West Steven J. Williams David J. Wuthrich Ellen A. Yarrell Robert Yekovich

Robert M. Hermance Gene McDavid Janice H. Barrow Barry C. Burkholder Rodney H. Margolis Jeffrey B. Early Michael E. Shannon Ed Wulfe

Jesse B. Tutor Robert B. Tudor III Robert A. Peiser Steven P. Mach Janet F. Clark

Nancy Strohmer Mary Ann McKeithan Ann Cavanaugh Mrs. James A. Shaffer Lucy H. Lewis Catherine McNamara Shirley McGregor Pearson Paula Jarrett Cora Sue Mach Kathi Rovere Norma Jean Brown Barbara McCelvey Lori Sorcic Jansen Nancy B. Willerson Jane Clark Nancy Littlejohn Donna Shen

Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein Vicki West Mrs. Jesse Tutor Darlene Clark Beth Wolff Maureen Higdon Fran Fawcett Peterson Leslie Siller

EX-OFFICIO John Steven Cisneros, Ed.D. Kusum Patel Frank F. Wilson IV Jessie Woods **Lifetime Trustee

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY SOCIETY Mrs. Edwin B. Parker Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. H. M. Garwood Joseph A. Mullen, M.D. Joseph S. Smith Walter H. Walne H. R. Cullen Gen. Maurice Hirsch

Charles F. Jones Fayez Sarofim John T. Cater Richard G. Merrill Ellen Elizardi Kelley John D. Platt E.C. Vandagrift Jr. J. Hugh Roff Jr.

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. John F. Grant Mrs. J. R. Parten Mrs. Andrew E. Rutter Mrs. Aubrey Leno Carter Mrs. Stuart Sherar Mrs. Julian Barrows Ms. Hazel Ledbetter Mrs. Albert P. Jones Mrs. Ben A. Calhoun Mrs. James Griffith Lawhon Mrs. Olaf LaCour Olsen Mrs. Ralph Ellis Gunn Mrs. Leon Jaworski Mrs. Garrett R. Tucker Jr. Mrs. M. T. Launius Jr. Mrs. Thompson McCleary

Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper Mrs. Allen W. Carruth Mrs. David Hannah Jr. Mary Louis Kister Mrs. Edward W. Kelley Jr. Mrs. John W. Herndon Mrs. Charles Franzen Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss Jr. Mrs. Edward H. Soderstrom Mrs. Lilly Kucera Andress Ms. Marilou Bonner Mrs. W. Harold Sellers Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Mrs. Robert M. Eury Mrs. E. C. Vandagrift Jr. Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Terry Ann Brown

FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES Janet F. Clark

Ronald G. Franklin

Barbara McCelvey

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INTUNE November 2022

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO, Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Pam Blaine, Chief of Education and Community Engagement Elizabeth S. Condic, Chief Financial Officer Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer Gwen Watkins, Chief Marketing Officer

MARKETING | COMMUNICATIONS | PATRON SERVICES Mark Bailes, Marketing Revenue Manager Olivia Cantrell, Marketing Assistant Heather Fails, Manager, Ticketing Database Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing Yoo-Ell Lee, Junior Graphic Designer Fiona Legesse-Sinha, Graphic Design Manager Ciara Macaulay, Creative Director Bianca Montanez, Content Marketing Coordinator Freddie Piegsa, Patron Experience Coordinator John B. Pollard II, Assistant Manager, Patron Services Vanessa Rivera, Digital Marketing Manager Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications Paula Wilson, Digital Marketing Coordinator Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services

DEVELOPMENT Lauren Buchanan, Development Communications Manager Timothy Dillow, Director, Corporate Relations and Development Operations Amanda T. Dinitz, Major Gifts Officer Zitlaly Jimenez, Annual Fund Manager Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate Samantha S. Olinsky, Major Gifts Officer Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving Katie Salvatore, Development Officer and Board Liaison Ika Soemampauw, Development Associate, Administration Christine Ann Stevens, Director, Major Gifts Lena Streetman, Research Analyst Stacey Swift, Director, Special Events Sarah Thompson, Institutional Giving Associate Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations Alexa Ustaszewski, Development Ticketing Concierge

OPERATIONS | ARTISTIC Stephanie Alla, Associate Director of Artistic Planning Lila Atchison, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager Becky Brown, Director, Operations Luke Bryson, Associate Librarian Janwin Overstreet-Goode, Chorus Manager Michael Gorman, Orchestra Personnel Manager Lauren Moore, Associate Director of Digital Concert Production José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager Brad Sayles, Senior Recording Engineer Claudia Schmitz, Artist Liaison and Assistant to the Music Director Stefan Stout, Stage Manager Carlin Truong, Chorus Manager Meredith Williams, Associate Director, Operations Rebecca Zabinski, Director, Artistic Planning

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Allison Conlan, Director, Education Jennifer Lanham, Student Concerts Coordinator Rovion Reed, Associate Director, Education & Community Engagement FINANCE | ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR Henry Cantu, Finance Accountant Kimberly Cegielski, Staff Accountant Tiffany Gentry, Junior System Administrator Richard Jackson, Database Administrator Joel James, Director of Human Resources Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting Morgana Rickard, Controller Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant Pam Romo, Office Manager/HR Coordinator Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics Houston Symphony

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RIOTS & SCANDALS FESTIVAL:

BARTÓK MIRACULOUS MANDARIN + RACHMANINOFF THIRD PIANO CONCERTO Jan. 13, 14 & 15

FAVORITE MASTERS

DELUXE K!DS

IN HARMONY This past September, the Houston Symphony, in partnership with the 5th Ward Cultural Arts District’s DeLUXE Theater and the American Festival of the Arts (AFA), launched DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony, a community-based music education program that provides exceptional violin training and social development to elementary students from Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood. This intensive and transformational program aims to not only teach children how to play the violin, but also develop teamwork and leadership skills, build relationships, and feel a sense of pride and belonging to a musical community.

The program kicked off on September 26 when 13 students from the Fifth Ward met their instructors, learned songs, were sized for violins, and performed for their friends and families. Throughout the school year, students will receive a minimum of five hours of instruction per week, both after school and on the weekends, from Houston Symphony CommunityEmbedded Musicians (CEMs) and AFA Teaching

Artists. This program can accommodate up to 25 students, and admission will occur on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

Learning to play an instrument has many social and emotional health benefits. For most classes, the students will learn in a small group setting, encouraging a sense of belonging to their ensemble and strengthening their communications skills.

Throughout the year, they will also have several opportunities to perform for family and community members at DeLUXE Theater and at a lobby concert at Jones Hall. Preparing for these performances develops goal setting and follow-through skills in children, and demonstrating their skills at a performance promotes self-confidence. These are just a few of the critical life skills students will gain through this program that will help them succeed both in and out of the classroom.

DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony is part of the Houston Symphony’s commitment to engage with communities who are limited by economic or geographic barriers and increase the number of students studying music.

The Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives are possible, in part, due to the generous donations of Symphony patrons. Contact giving@houstonsymphony.org if you would like to support us in our efforts to improve music education for children in the Greater Houston area.

Scan here to support our Education & Community Engagement initiatives

Houston Symphony

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Featured Program

HOLST’S THE PLANETS Gemma New, conductor* Camille Thomas, cello* Women of the Houston Symphony Chorus Janwin Overstreet-Goode, chorus preparation Allen Hightower, director 0:11

A. FIRSOVA – Die Windsbraut (Bride of the Wind)**, Opus 38

0:26

ELGAR – Cello Concerto in E minor, Opus 85 I Adagio—Moderato— II Lento—Allegro molto III Adagio IV Allegro—Moderato—Allegro, ma non troppo

INTERMISSION 0:51

HOLST – The Planets I Mars, the Bringer of War II Venus, the Bringer of Peace III Mercury, the Winged Messenger IV Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity V Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age VI Uranus, the Magician VII Neptune, the Mystic

*Houston Symphony debut ** U.S. Premiere

GOLD CLASSICS

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INTUNE November 2022

About the Music

Friday, November 11 Saturday, November 12 Sunday, November 13

Jones Hall Jones Hall & Livestream Jones Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PROGRAM INSIGHT

Livestream of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by Barbara J. Burger The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc., in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

Houston Symphony

8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes New Zealand conductor Gemma New to the podium for her Houston Symphony debut. For these concerts, Gemma has chosen a program that displays the pomp and passion of British music. Composed in 1917, Holst’s The Planets was inspired by the composer’s fascination with astrology; this bold orchestral suite would go on to influence the sound of space in countless film and television scores. Completed just two years later, Elgar’s Cello Concerto is a profound masterpiece, interpreted by many as the composer’s response to World War I. Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas, also making her Houston Symphony debut, conveys this piece’s deep emotions in her soulful interpretation. Though born in Moscow, Alissa Firsova has lived in the U.K. since 1991 and has become one of Britain’s leading musicians as a composer, pianist, and conductor. These performances mark the U.S. premiere of her Bride of the Wind, a response to the eponymous painting by Oskar Kokoschka and his famous love affair with Alma Mahler.

Program Notes A. FIRSOVA Die Windsbraut (Bride of the Wind), Opus 38 Though she was a gifted composer and pianist in her own right, Alma Mahler-Werfel (née Schindler) is remembered as a muse for many great figures of her time, including her husbands Gustav Mahler, Walter Gropius, and Franz Werfel. Even her composition teacher Alexander Zemlinsky was under her spell (though Gustav eventually prevented Alma from continuing lessons with him, possibly out of jealousy). Another heart conquered was that of Oskar Kokoschka, an Austrian artist with whom Alma had a brief, turbulent relationship and a love-letter exchange that lasted right up until her death. Among the hundreds of his artworks inspired by Alma was Die Windsbraut (The Bride of the Wind).

Kokoschka considered this painting to be the ultimate proof of his love.

My orchestral work Die Windsbraut is a depiction of this painting and the

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Program Notes A. FIRSOVA Die Windsbraut (Bride of the Wind) Opus 38

tempestuous and passionate love Alma and Kokoschka shared.

Kokoschka first met Alma at a dinner party just under a year after Mahler’s death. He told his friend, the photographer Brassaï: “How beautiful she was, and how seductive she looked beneath her mourning veil! She enchanted me! … After dinner, she took me by the arm and drew me into an adjoining room, where she sat down and played the Liebestod [from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde] on the piano for me …

After that evening, we were inseparable.” Clearly this was a potent memory for Kokoschka, whose initial title for Die Windsbraut was Tristan und Isolde.

In one of his last letters, Kokoschka expressed his wish for their love to be depicted by a poet “with a sixth sense for language, its structure, its rhythm and its intonation—one that knows the whole range of our emotions from tenderness to the most lascivious sensuality … so that we can tell the world what we two did with each other and against each other, and can pass on the living meaning of our love to those that come after us.”

I found it fascinating to take up this challenge through music. At the opening of my Die Windsbraut, I tried to imitate the rustle of the wind, howling up into a tumultuous storm, at which point the violins begin the passionate main theme, full of big leaps to signify the restless and exasperated feelings, while the winds and brass play the part of the dramatic whirlwind of the waves. The main theme is then played by the violas and cellos, before crashing into a “crazed,” trill-filled orchestral tutti representing a triumphant union of Kokoschka’s and Alma’s love, with tremolos in the strings and the horns fanfaring the main theme in unison.

Then we enter the eye of the storm where, in the painting, Alma and Oskar are peacefully lying together. The trombone solo, supported by a brass chorale, opens Oskar’s “love” theme (the second subject), answered by Alma in the strings, after which they sail through a jungle as the theme develops in various wind solos, and a paradisal garden full of flutes and celesta. Various other ethereal orchestral colors attempt to capture what Oskar called the “Bengali moonlight” in his painting.

Meanwhile, duets in the trumpets, horns, and clarinets, the return of the main theme in the first violins, mystical, bell-like sounds, and a duet between the solo first violin and harp bring us back to the opening material.

Then eerie trills build up back into another stormy outburst, only this time the “love” theme is played by the strings and brass, while the winds play the main theme, reaching the culmination of the piece before settling down into a reminiscent coda, as the two lovers look back at all they had lived through. ©A. Firsova

ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor, Opus 85

For Western Europe, World War I marked the end of an era. Initially embraced by millions as an opportunity for national heroism, the war’s 19

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Program Notes ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor, Opus 85

brutality and unprecedented casualties soon disillusioned them.

Elgar was no exception. Recognized as England’s greatest living composer, he was eager to do his part; at 57, Elgar volunteered as a constable shortly after the war began, much to the dismay of family and friends who strained to imagine him wielding a billy club. Fortunately, his service was brief and without incident; he found he could contribute more by writing patriotic compositions to rally his country’s spirits. At the same time, he was saddened to be separated from German musicianfriends and appalled by the war’s violence; an animal lover, he was especially moved by the many horses that perished in combat.

As the years passed, he retreated into a private world, composing music for a children’s play, a ballet, and intensely personal chamber music. When the war ended, he scarcely recognized the modern society emerging from its ashes, a society alienated from both him and the Romantic ideals of his music.

Against this backdrop, he composed his final masterpiece, the Cello Concerto. The haunting main melody of the first movement came to him in March 1918, but Elgar truly set to work on the piece in the summer of the following year, ensconced in the idyllic Sussex countryside. The work that grew from this soil has been called Elgar’s war requiem; one can also hear it as an elegy for a lost era, the solo cello a lonely figure akin to Elgar himself.

The concerto begins with a soliloquy for the soloist; its broken chords form a motto that recurs throughout the work. We then hear the melody that first came to Elgar, bleak and unaccompanied in the violas.

The soloist takes up this theme, leading to a searing variation for full orchestra. A lilting, bittersweet idea in the woodwinds introduces a contrasting middle section.

After a reprise of the main melody, the first movement fades to a return of the opening motto, this time played as brittle pizzicatos.

The motto transitions to the second movement, a quicksilver scherzo punctuated by passionate declarations. The third movement is a slow, introspective meditation that ends unresolved; the ensuing finale begins with a brusque, march-like theme, the subject of numerous virtuoso developments for the soloist. Approaching the end, the music slows. A passage of intense yearning leads to the return of the motto. After this moment of reflection, the march returns, speeding the concerto to its conclusion.

The October 26, 1919, premiere in London proved disappointing; the hall was far from full. Soon after, Elgar’s beloved wife, Alice, died of cancer. Broken-hearted, Elgar never completed another major work.

Championed by sympathetic soloists and conductors, the concerto would ultimately be recognized as one of the great works for cello and orchestra. Two Houston Symphony music directors proved pivotal in its history: Leopold Stokowski (music director, 1955–61) led the U.S. premiere in 1922, and Sir John Barbirolli (music director, 1961–67) led the legendary 1965 recording of the piece featuring cellist Jacqueline du Pré. ©2022 Calvin Dotsey

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Program Notes HOLST The Planets

In 1914–16, when Gustav Holst composed his famed orchestral suite, The Planets, there were only eight known planets in our solar system.

Pluto’s existence was not discovered until the 1930s, and questions have been raised in recent times about whether it really is a planet.

In planning the work, Holst focused his interest on our celestial companions, completely ignoring the existence of Earth in the planetary lineup. He also jumbled the natural order of the first four “inner planets” in their distance from the sun, in order to suit his own musical needs.

And his interest was aroused not by any scientific astronomical observations upon the planets, but upon astrological associations suggested by the mythological names they had been given. Holst scholars have noted that the composer made a hobby of casting horoscopes and owned a book by Alan Leo on the subject. Leo’s book was Holst’s source in determining the descriptive character of each piece in the seven-movement suite.

Holst completed work on the first movement, “Mars, The Bringer of War,” during the summer of 1914, just before World War I began. Over the next two years, he composed the remaining seven movements of The Planets during weekends and summer holiday periods when he was free from teaching duties at a girls’ school. Then, in 1917, he orchestrated the entire suite. Holst seems to focus on the notion of planets suspended in space with music that is rather static and unchanging within each musical portrait.

“Mars, The Bringer of War” is generally loud and bellicose with heavy brass climaxes. By contrast, “Venus, the Bringer of Peace,” is a diaphanous slow movement, noted for its exotic tone colors and its subtle, elusive harmonies. “Mercury, the Winged Messenger” has a willo’-the-wisp lightness, punctuated by sudden bursts of tone as the music flits from one orchestral group to another. “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” is full of robust humor and an easy sense of power. The proud theme at the center of the movement was later set as the patriotic hymn, “I Vow to Thee, My Country.”

It is in the last three movements that Holst’s imagination results in the most colorful orchestral effects. “Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age” is represented by a solemn processional emerging from a faint, indefinite pulse of soft flutes and harps. After working its way to an inexorable climax, the movement bursts open with the brilliant sound of pealing bells. “Uranus, the Magician” begins with an ominous motto shouted out by the brass and timpani, then proceeds into a bold, riveting dance movement, interrupted twice more by the motto. And the foggy gases surrounding “Neptune, the Mystic” are softly represented by undulating woodwind chords, growling brass, a filmy curtain of broken chords in the celesta, harps, and strings, and finally, by an unseen women’s chorus, whose wordless vocals gradually disappears into a silent ending of The Planets. —2014, Carl R. Cunningham

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Program Bios della Toscana, and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg in the final concert of Mozartwoche 2023.

Gemma debuts with the Houston Symphony and Melbourne Symphony in Australia and returns to lead the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and the New World Symphony. In June 2023, she returns to St. Louis to lead Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s production of Susannah.

Gemma New, conductor Sought after for her insightful interpretations and dynamic presence, New Zealand-born Gemma New is the newly appointed artistic advisor and principal conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and principal guest conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

She is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.

In Gemma’s inaugural season with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra’s 75th anniversary season, she leads the 2022 Winter Festival with Hilary Hahn and Paul Lewis; Mozart Requiem with Voices New Zealand; and contemporary works by New Zealand composers John Psathas, John Rimmer, Tabea Squire, and Anthony Ritchie.

This season, she leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Increasingly in demand in Europe, she conducts the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, Berner Symphonieorchester, Gävle Symphony, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra Houston Symphony

Gemma’s work as music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic has been committed to deepening the orchestra’s artistic level and expanding its reach into the community. She launched the HPO’s first “Intimate and Immersive” concert series, a Family Series, and regular side-by-sides with the HPO Youth Orchestra.

Her programs present works by core masters as well as works by today’s most active composers from Canada and New Zealand, such as Zosha di Castri, José Evangelista, Salina Fisher, and Kevin Lau. Gemma previously served as resident conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and as associate conductor of the New Jersey Symphony. A former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gemma was a conducting fellow at Tanglewood Music Center and at the Aspen Music Festival. She studied conducting at the Peabody Institute with Gustav Meier and Markand Thakar. 

Camille Thomas, cello Optimism, vitality, and joyful exuberance are elements of Camille Thomas’s rich and compelling personality. The young FrancoBelgian cellist, who signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon in 2017, understands art’s power to unite people from diverse cultures, countries, and backgrounds. Her charismatic artistry is driven by a passion for life and a desire to inspire others to open their hearts to the wonder of classical music.

“Music gives hope for the beauty and greatness of the human soul,” she says. Voice of Hope (2020) her second DG album, was internationally released to great acclaim. The first classical album recorded in partnership with UNICEF, it features the world premiere recording of Fazil Say’s 2018 poignant Concerto for Cello and Orchestra Never Give Up. Her remarkable series of videos, sharing music from empty museums in Paris during lockdown, have been transformative experiences for many thousands of viewers worldwide.

Following on the heels of her recent triumphant Los Angeles Philharmonic debut with the Elgar Concerto, this season includes her first appearances with the Houston

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Program Bios and Quebec Symphonies as well as recitals in Birmingham, Boston, and New York at Town Hall. Camille has appeared with leading series and orchestras, in person and online, including Purdue Convocations, The Cliburn, Performing Arts Houston, Interlochen Presents, Wisconsin Union Theatre, and Emory University, among others.

Camille is conquering the world stage at a staggering pace. She has worked with conductors Paavo Järvi, Mikko Franck, Darrell Ang, Kent Nagano, Stéphane Denève, Keith Lockhart, and Paolo

Bartomeoli and with leading orchestras, including Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Academia Santa Cecilia, Staatsorchester Hamburg in the Elbphilharmonie, Orchestre National de Bordeaux, Brussels Philharmonic, RTE National Symphony Ireland, BBC Wales, and the Korean and Kyoto symphony orchestras. In recital and chamber music, she performs at prestigious venues and festivals around Europe, collaborating with top artists from both sides of the ocean.

Camille studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin.

She plays the Stradivarius “Feuermann” (1730) thanks to the generosity of the Nippon Music Foundation and a bow by Eugène Sartory kindly on extended loan from the Fondation Roi Baudoin Fonds Bollandsee. 

Corporate Spotlight

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CKP has been recognized by the American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America, and the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals for client work across all communications verticals. Their people-first approach has landed them on several Best Places to Work lists, including #6 on the Houston Business Journal Best Places to Work annual survey and listed as an Inc Magazine Best Workplace in the US. The team’s culture of discipline and leadership has earned them the honor of PRSA Houston Agency of the Year three consecutive times, plus best-in-show awards with both the Houston and Dallas PRSA chapters. CKP is consistently ranked on the Inc. 5000 Series list of fastest-growing private companies in Texas, a direct result of the team’s ongoing focus on providing a high level of value and building long-term, meaningful client relationships.

Visit theckpgroup.com to learn more.

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houston symphony chorus

The Houston Symphony Chorus is the official choral unit of the Houston Symphony and consists of highly skilled and talented volunteer singers.

Over the years, members of this historic ensemble have learned and performed the world’s great choral-orchestral masterworks under the batons of Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Hans Graf, Christoph Eschenbach, Robert Shaw, and Helmut Rilling, among many others.

Allen Hightower, Director

Singers are selected for specific programs for which they have indicated interest. A singer might choose to perform in all 45 concerts, as was the case in a recent season, or might elect to participate in a single series.

The Houston Symphony Chorus holds auditions by appointment and welcomes inquiries from interested singers.

Janwin Overstreet-Goode Chorus Manager Carlin Truong Chorus Manager Scott Holshouser Pianist Tony Sessions Librarian/Stage Manager

In addition, the Chorus enjoys participating in the Houston Symphony’s popular programming under the batons of conductors such as Steven Reineke and Michael Krajewski. Recently, the ensemble sang the closing subscription concerts with the Prague Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic.

ALLEN HIGHTOWER Dr. Allen Hightower, a seventh-generation Texan, is interim director of the Houston Symphony Chorus beginning in the 2022–23 Season. He is the director of choral studies at the University of North Texas, where he leads the master’s and doctoral programs in choral conducting and oversees a comprehensive choral program of eight ensembles. He serves as conductor of UNT’s A Cappella Choir, Grand Chorus, and the early music vocal ensemble Vox Aquilae.

As a teacher and conductor, Allen has visited 30 states, Asia, and Europe.

His students hold leadership positions as choral conductors in public schools, colleges, universities, churches, and community choirs throughout the United States. Prior to joining UNT, Allen held the Weston Noble Endowed Chair in Music at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he was conductor of the renowned Nordic Choir and artistic director of Christmas at Luther. Previously, he served as professor of music and director of choral studies at Sam Houston State University and taught at the high school level in the Houston and Odessa areas.

Outside the academic setting, Allen was Houston Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra’s artistic director, leading an annual concert series of choral/ orchestral masterworks. As a deeply committed church musician, he has served churches in Texas, California, and Minnesota. Currently, he is on the music staff of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, and is the church music vice-president of the Texas Choral Directors Association.

Allen earned his undergraduate degree in music education and piano from Sam Houston State University, a master’s in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, a master’s in orchestral conducting from Baylor University, and his doctorate in conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles. He pursued additional studies in orchestral and choral conducting at the University of Southern California, at Westminster Choir College, and the Oregon Bach Festival. After winning first prize in the graduate division of the American Choral Directors Association’s Conducting Competition in 1997, he was assistant to Paul Salamunovich, conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Allen lives in McKinney, Texas, with his wife, Dr. Kristin Hightower, and their daughters, Caroline and Julianne.

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CHORUS ROSTER Christin Abbott

Konstantina Dimitropoulou

Linda Renner

Mary Ann Addis

Leanna Elkins

Carolyn Rogan

Ramona Alms

Katie Fry

Jennifer Romig

Kelsie Andrews

Rachel Gehman

Emily Sanders

Kendall Banasiak

Melisa Gultan

Angela Seaman

Mansi Baxi

Susan Hall

Emma Storm

Cris Bocanegra

Elizabeth Kragas

Carol Strawn

Mansi Asit Baxi

Natalie Kronser

Mary Voigt

Hannah Brewton

Sia Kuresa

Jackie Vondette

Pat Bumpus

Marguerite Latterner

Abby Zuniga

Shelby Capozolli

Lauren Lawson

Nancy Christopherson

Jen Paulson

Sylvia Dee

Julianne Preddy

Kaitlin DeSpain

Lauren Price

handel’s Messiah Dec. 9, 10 & 11

GRAND GUARANTOR

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Featured Program

Brahms 3 Thomas Søndergård, conductor Lise de la Salle, piano 0:05

L. BOULANGER – D’un matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning), LB 41C

0:31

R. SCHUMANN – Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 54 I Allegro affettuoso II Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso— III Allegro vivace

INTERMISSION 0:33

BRAHMS – Symphony No. 3 in F major, Opus 90 I Allegro con brio II Andante III Poco allegretto IV Allegro

FAVORITE MASTERS

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About the Music

Friday, November 18 Saturday, November 19 Sunday, November 20

Jones Hall Jones Hall & Livestream Jones Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PROGRAM INSIGHT

Margaret Alkek Williams Spotlight Series Livestream of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by Barbara J. Burger The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc., in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

This weekend, Danish guest conductor Thomas Søndergård returns to Houston with a program that combines melodic beauty with powerful emotions. We open with one of the last works of Lili Boulanger, a groundbreaking French composer who, at age 19, became the first woman to win the Prix de Rome. D’un matin de printemps exemplifies her unique genius with its colorful harmonies and sensuous orchestrations.

Soloist Lise de la Salle then takes the stage in Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto, an echt-Romantic work written as a vehicle for his beloved wife, Clara, one of the 19th century’s great piano virtuosos. Many musicologists believe the first movement is based on a musical cypher that uses the letters of Clara’s name. The Schumanns mentored the young Brahms when he was beginning to make a name for himself as a composer; written many years later, his masterful Third Symphony begins with another cypher: The opening develops a motif from Robert Schumann’s own Third Symphony. From its brilliant beginning to its dramatic conclusion, this rich, complex work invites listeners to dream and imagine. ©2022 Calvin Dotsey

Program Notes L. BOULANGER D’un matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning), LB 41C Music history has no shortage of great composers who died too young, but perhaps the dearest loss of this kind was Lili Boulanger. Born into an extraordinarily musical family (her father won the Prix de Rome, France’s most prestigious prize for composers, in 1835, and her sister, Nadia, was also a gifted composer who became an influential composition teacher), Lili was recognized as a great musical talent by age two; by three, however, her health troubles had already begun with a case of bronchial pneumonia. Despite a weakened immune system and chronic ill health, in 1913 she made history by becoming the first female composer to win the Prix de Rome, following in her father’s footsteps.

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Program Notes L. BOULANGER D’un matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning), LB 41C

Over the course of her brief life, she developed a remarkable individual voice as a composer, producing dozens of exquisite pieces that continue to enchant listeners today.

Composed from 1917 to 1918, D’un matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning) is one of her last completed works. Together with its companion piece, D’un soir triste (Of a Sad Evening)—which will be performed with Stravinsky’s Oedipus rex at the Houston Symphony’s Classical Series finale in May—it was simultaneously conceived in three different versions: for piano and solo instrument (violin or flute for the matin, cello for the soir), for piano trio, and for orchestra.

Despite the composer’s failing health, the piece is full of life. Its limpid main theme first appears as a flute solo; this main idea alternates with two contrasting episodes. The first features a languid melody in the violins that builds to a passionate climax; the second, a more tranquil theme for the cellos. ©2022 Calvin Dotsey

R. SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 54

Dashing and colorful solo-piano works practically poured from Robert Schumann when he was in his 20s. But combining piano and orchestra stumped him: Schumann started three concertos, only to give up. The glittery style cultivated by many mid-19th-century pianists didn’t click with him. “I realize I cannot write a concerto for a virtuoso, so I must think up something else,” Schumann wrote.

In his early 30s, after composing his first symphony, Schumann found his way. Fantasy for piano and orchestra, in one multifaceted movement, was his first step. The music world had little interest in a single-movement concerto, though, so it never had a performance. Four years later, Schumann added two new movements to the Fantasy. The result was the ardent and poetic Piano Concerto in A minor, one of audiences’ most-beloved Schumann works. It blends the free spirit of his solo-piano pieces, many of which are collections of vignettes, with his forebears’ concerto tradition.

Whereas the opening movements of Mozart and Beethoven concertos typically unfold in an unbroken flow, this concerto’s first movement—born as the Fantasy—embraces more contrast. A single, staccato orchestral chord starts the concerto with a bang, and the piano flings out ringing chords of its own. Then the woodwinds sing out the ardent theme that, in changing guises, will tie the movement together. Schumann first brings out the theme’s passions, marshaling the piano’s agility and the orchestra’s heft. The tempo slows, and the piano and solo winds turn the theme into a reverie. A reprise of the piano’s opening flourishes heralds the return of the theme’s more-passionate incarnation, and a dramatic, sonorous piano solo builds it to a climax. Then an impetuous new version of the theme sweeps the movement to its close.

The second movement, labeled Intermezzo, offers a short, sweet break from the excitement. It begins and ends with a graceful mix of tiptoeing

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Program Notes R. SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 54

chords and sinuous melody; the centerpiece is a lyrical reverie led by the cellos. After the orchestra gently echoes the first movement theme, the piano launches into the exuberant finale. Not only does the music exude sunshine and vitality, but Schumann makes portions of it even more buoyant by breaking free from the main rhythmic flow.—Steven Brown

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 in F major, Opus 90

In October 1883, Antonín Dvořák wrote to his publisher: “...I was recently in Vienna, where I spent very fine days with Dr. Brahms, who had just come back from Wiesbaden,” a picturesque town on the Rhine River.

The Czech composer had been delighted to glimpse Brahms’s latest symphony: “What magnificent melodies there are for the finding!”

Dvořák was not alone in his enthusiasm; at 50, Brahms was at the height of his powers, and his new symphony displayed vibrant orchestral colors, ingenious rhythms, and an organic unity of ideas. But beneath its technical perfections also lay deep emotions. Though Dr. Brahms often hid behind a professorial mask, he was at heart a Romantic.

The symphony features a cyclical technique—melodies from earlier movements “cycle back” in the finale—suggesting a dramatic narrative arc. Throughout, the clarinet and horn seem to play special roles.

The Rhine River in Wiesbaden must have stirred Brahms’s memories of the time he spent with Robert and Clara Schumann in his youth: The Symphony’s soaring opening melody is based on a quotation from Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony. The music calms, leading to a lyrical, folk song-like tune for clarinet. The music, however, soon darkens, leading to a passionate transformation of the clarinet theme in the strings. A noble horn solo then leads to a reprise of the movement’s main ideas.

The second movement begins with another folk song-like theme for the clarinet. A transitional passage then leads to a melancholy melody for clarinet and bassoon. After an intense development, the opening theme returns almost imperceptibly. Unusually, the melancholy second theme disappears; in its place is a gorgeous, sunset-like coda.

The third movement turns from the bright major keys of the first half of the symphony to the darker, minor keys of the second half, as if shifting from day to night. It opens with a slow, bittersweet waltz for cellos.

Some have heard the influence of Romani music (a style Brahms loved and famously showcased in his Hungarian Dances) in the contrasting central section, which features the woodwinds.

The finale begins with an unharmonized melody marked “sotto voce,” or “whispered.” As it unfolds, strings imitate the cimbalom (a kind of zither) as clarinets take up the theme, evoking the characteristic sounds of Romani music. This is interrupted by the return of the “missing” theme from the second movement, now a low, mysterious chorale in the

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Program Notes BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 in F major, Opus 90

clarinets and bassoons. After many developments, the chorale returns at the movement’s powerful climax. Near the end, the music slows and brightens, leading to the final incarnation of this chorale in a broad, noble form. The symphony dies away, ending pianissimo with a last surprise: a shimmering return of the first movement’s opening idea. —Calvin Dotsey

Program Bios

Thomas Søndergård, conductor Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård is currently music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), following six seasons as principal guest conductor. In July 2022, Thomas was named to succeed Osmo Vänskä as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, becoming music director designate in the 2022–23 Season and assuming the director role in 2023–24. Between 2012 and 2018, he served as principal conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW), after stepping down as principal conductor and musical advisor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.

He has appeared with many notable orchestras in leading European centres, such as Berlin (including Berliner Philharmoniker, RundfunkSinfonieorchester Berlin, Mahler

Chamber Orchestra), Leipzig (Gewandhausorchester), Paris (Orchestre National de France), London (London Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, London Symphony, and Philharmonia Orchestra), Amsterdam and Rotterdam (Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic); and he is a familiar figure in Scandinavia, with such orchestras as Oslo Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony, Danish National Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Swedish Radio Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, and Helsinki Philharmonic. North American appearances have included the symphony orchestras of Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Montreal, Vancouver, and Seattle.

He has made highly successful tours to China, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

European touring. Thomas makes extensive guest appearances in the United States this season, with debut appearances with Baltimore Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Cincinnati Symphony, alongside return visits in Houston and to the Minnesota Orchestra and Chicago Symphony.

On the operatic stage, following his Reumert award-winning appearance in early 2022 for Die Walküre, Thomas will return to Royal Danish Opera this season to conduct Strauss’s Elektra. Also in his native Denmark, he returns to the Danish National Symphony Orchestra to conduct the world premiere of Rune Glerup’s new violin concerto with Isabelle Faust. 

The 2022–23 Season will see Thomas return to the Edinburgh International Festival (Mahler Symphony No. 3) and the BBC Proms with the RSNO. The two Proms performances will be centred around Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto, performed by Nicola Benedetti. Plans for the RSNO main season include a full Brahms symphony cycle, Britten’s War Requiem and further 33

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Program Bios she has captivated enthusiastic audiences and critics in major series worldwide.

Lise de la Salle, piano Through her acclaimed international concert appearances and her award-winning Naïve label recordings, Lise de la Salle has established a reputation as one of today’s most exciting young artists and as a musician of uncommon sensibility and maturity. Her playing inspired a Washington Post critic to write, “For much of the concert, the audience had to remember to breathe... the exhilaration didn’t let up for a second until her hands came off the keyboard.”

A native of France, Lise first came to international attention in 2005, at age 16, with a Bach/Liszt recording selected by Gramophone Magazine as its Recording of the Month. Her recordings have since received numerous Editor’s Choice, Recording of the Month, and Diapason D’or awards and critical acclaim for more than a dozen recordings. When Do We Dance?

(2021) presents a century of dance-inspired works from around the globe.

Her 2022–23 North American season sees returns to the Aspen Music Festival and San Francisco Performances in recital, and to the Houston, Dallas, Quebec, and Atlanta Symphonies, among others.

Debuts include the St. Louis Symphony and recitals in Ottawa and Detroit. Recent and forthcoming highlights abroad include a complete Beethoven concerto cycle in Spain, her concerto debut at the Paris Philharmonie and orchestral performances in Berlin, Tokyo, São Paulo, Auckland, and on tour with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Born in Cherbourg, France, in 1988, Lise began studying the piano at age four and gave her first concert at nine in a live RadioFrance broadcast. A graduate of the Paris Conservatoire, at 13, she made her concerto debut, her Paris recital debut at the Louvre and embarked on a tour with the Orchestre National d’Ile de France.

She has won first prize in many competitions, including the European Young Concert Artists Auditions and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. 

Lise has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, including multiple reengagements with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others. A sought-after recitalist,

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Featured Program

DISNEY’S FANTASIA Brett Mitchell, conductor BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67 I Allegro con brio 0:11 BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 6 in F major, Opus 68 (Pastoral) III Merry assembly of country folk IV Thunderstorm V Shepherd’s song; Happy, grateful feelings after the storm 0:15 TCHAIKOVSKY – Suite from The Nutcracker, Opus 71a 0:06 DEBUSSY/ STOKOWSKI – Clair de lune from Suite bergamasque 0:09 STRAVINSKY – Suite from L’oiseau de feu (The Firebird) 0:03

INTERMISSION PONCHIELLI – Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda DUKAS – L’apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) ELGAR/SCHICKELE – Pomp and Circumstance March in D major, Opus 39, No. 1 0:10 RESPIGHI – Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome) I I pini di Villa Borghese (The Pines of the Villa Borghese) III I pini del Gianicolo (The Pines of the Janiculum) IV I pini della via Appia (The Pines of the Appian Way) 0:13 0:09 0:08

POPS SERIES Houston Symphony

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© Disney

About the Music

Friday, November 25 Saturday, November 26 Sunday, November 27

Jones Hall Jones Hall Jones Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PROGRAM INSIGHT

Grand Guarantor

8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

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Former Houston Symphony Music Director Leopold Stokowski appears in the original 1940 Fantasia production as the orchestra conductor.

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Fantasia started as a lengthened production of animated shorts called “Silly Symphonies” using The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas, but soon grew to a full-length feature.

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The term “fantasia” refers to a free-form piece that resembles improvisation. Stokowski recommended the name Fantasia because the project reminded him of such.

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Walt Disney’s original plan was to release new versions of Fantasia each year, using numbers rejected from the 1940 film.

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Fantasia 2000 was the first full-length commercial film released in the IMAX format.

PROGRAM DISCLAIMER This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it, and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. The Houston Symphony is committed to telling stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.

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Program Bio

From 2007 to 2011, Brett led more than 100 performances as assistant conductor of the Houston Symphony. He also held assistant conductor posts with the Orchestre National de France and at the Castleton Festival. In 2015, he completed a successful fiveyear tenure as music director of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Brett Mitchell, conductor Hailed for delivering compelling performances of innovative, eclectic programs, Brett Mitchell was named the fourth music director of the Colorado Symphony in 2016 and concluded his fouryear appointment in 2021. He is currently artistic director and conductor of Oregon’s Sun River Music Festival.

Brett concluded his tenure as associate conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra in 2017.

He joined the orchestra as assistant conductor in 2013 and was soon promoted, becoming the orchestra’s first associate conductor in more than three decades. In this role, he led the orchestra in many concerts each season at Severance Hall, Blossom Music Center, and on tour.

He also served as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, which he led on a four-city tour of China. In 2019, he returned to Cleveland to lead subscription performances of the film An American in Paris, and in 2021, he returned to conduct the orchestra at the Blossom Music Festival.

As an opera conductor, Brett has conducted nearly a dozen productions, principally during his tenure as music director of Houston’s Moores Opera Center. His repertoire spans the core works of Mozart, Verdi, and Stravinsky, as well as contemporary works.

Brett is consistently in demand as a guest conductor throughout North America, Europe, and New Zealand; and he has an affinity for mentoring talented young musicians aspiring to be professional orchestral players.

Born in Seattle in 1979, Brett holds degrees in conducting from the University of Texas and composition from Western Washington University, which selected him as its 2014 Young Alumnus of the Year. He studied at the National Conducting Institute and was selected by Kurt Masur as a recipient of the inaugural American Friends of the Mendelssohn Foundation Scholarship. Brett was also one of five recipients of the League of American Orchestras’ American Conducting Fellowship Program. 

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INTUNE November 2022

NOT ever y HOLIDAY PRESENT has TO FIT UNDER THE TREE. STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY 2001 W. Gray St. Houston, Texas 77019

(713) 520-1853 www.steinwaypianos.com

Our Donors Annual Support

$150,000+

The Houston Symphony gratefully acknowledges those who support our artistic, educational, and community engagement programs through their generosity to our Annual Fund and Special Events. For more information, please contact Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving, at tim.richey@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8531.

Janice Barrow Barbara J. Burger Janet F. Clark Dr. Sippi & Mr. Ajay Khurana** Rochelle & Max Levit Barbara & Pat McCelvey** Bobbie Nau

John and Lindy Rydman/ Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Mike Stude Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams

As of October 31, 2022

$100,000+ Gary & Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation Joan & Bob Duff ** Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi

$50,000+ Cora Sue & Harry Mach ** Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Edith and Robert Zinn

Robin Angly & Miles Smith Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Albert & Anne Chao Virginia A. Clark** Aggie L. Foster & Steve Simon Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn

Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks** Alice* & Terry Thomas Shirley W. Toomim Stephen & Kristine Wallace Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann

Gary L. Hollingsworth and Kenneth J. Hyde Catherine & Brian James Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Joella & Steven P. Mach Mrs. Carolyn & Dr. Michael Mann Barry & Rosalyn Margolis Family

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Muffy & Mike McLanahan Katie & Bob Orr Oliver Wyman Laurie A. Rachford Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Dr. John R. Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita

Judith Vincent Steven & Nancy Williams Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Mr. Jay Steinfeld & Mrs. Barbara Winthrop** Ellen A. Yarrell** Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mark & Ragna Henrichs Mrs. James E. Hooks Rebecca & Bobby Jee Joan Kaplan Gwen & Dan Kellogg Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Dr. William & Alice Kopp Mr. & Mrs. David B. Krieger John & Regina Mangum Jay & Shirley* Marks Michelle & Jack Matzer Elizabeth McIngvale PHD Dr. Eric McLaughlin & Mr. Eliodoro Castillo Marvin & Martha McMurrey Tammy & Wayne Nguyen Scott and Judy Nyquist

Dr. Susan Osterberg and Mr. Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Mr. David Peavy and Mr. Stephen McCauley Gloria & Joe Pryzant Allan & Jean Quiat Ron and Demi Rand Ed & Janet Rinehart Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Donna Scott & Mitch Glassman Margaret and Joel Shannon Tad and Suzanne Smith Anthony and Lori Speier Drs. Carol & Michael Stelling

Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan,Ph.D. Dede Weil Vicki West

$25,000+ Farida Abjani Ann & Jonathan Ayre** Dr. Gudrun H. Becker Eric D. Brueggeman Ralph Burch Michael H. Clark & Sallie Morian Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Nanette B. Finger*

$15,000+ Marcie & Nick Alexos Nina K. Andrews Dr. Saúl & Ursula Balagura Anne Morgan Barrett Nancy & Walter Bratic Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer Terry Ann Brown Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova Jane Cizik Dr. Evan D. Collins Roger & Debby Cutler Dr. Alex Dell Ms. Carolyn Faulk Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger Steve & Mary Gangelhoff Clare Attwell Glassell Evan B. Glick

** Education and Community Engagement Donor * Deceased

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INTUNE November 2022

Our Donors $10,000+ Edward H. Andrews III Dr. Angela R. Apollo Mr. & Mrs. David J. Beck Edward and Janette Blackburne Mr. Bill Bullock James & Dale Brannon Cheryl & Sam* Byington Dr. Robert N. Chanon Coneway Family Foundation Brad & Joan Corson Andrew Davis & Corey Tu Mike & Debra Dishberger Vicky Dominguez Connie Dyer Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Firestone Eugene Fong

Mrs. Mary Foster-DeSimone and Mr. Don DeSimone Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Ms. Elia Gabbanelli Nancy D. Giles Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Ms. Katherine Hill Marzena & Jacek Jaminski Dr. Charles Johnson & Tammie Johnson Ms. Carey Kirkpatrick Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Leeke Marilyn G. Lummis Mr. and Mrs. Ransom C. Lummis Sue Ann Lurcott Cindy Mao and Michael Ma

Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Terry & Kandee McGill Rita & Paul Morico John L. Nau III Ms. Leslie Nossaman The Carl M. Padgett Family Sandra Paige, Veritas Title Partners Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pastorek Dave & Alie Pruner Lila Rauch Mr. and Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr. Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Laura & Mike Shannon

Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Houston Christian University Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Karl Strobl Mr. William W. Stubbs Mrs. Marguerite M. Swartz Cecilia & Luciano Vasconcellos Jay & Gretchen Watkins Doug & Kay Wilson Ms. Beth Wolff ** Scott and Lori Wulfe Nina & Michael Zilkha Anonymous (3)

Bill and Diana Freeman Ms. Eugenia C. George Suzan and Julius Glickman Jo and Billie Jo Graves The Greentree Fund Mrs. Tami A. Grubb Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herzog Mrs. Ann G. Hightower Mr. and Mrs. William D. Hunt Steve and Kerry Incavo Mr. Michael Jang Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Jankovic Stephen Jeu and Susanna Calvo Phil and Josephine John Beverly Johnson Mr. and Mrs. John F. Joity Debbie and Frank Jones Dr. Rita Justice Mr. and Mrs. Bashar Kalai Ms. Linda R. Katz Mr. Bill King Mr. Mark Klitzke and Dr. Angela Chen Mr. Kenneth E. Kurtzman Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Ladin Golda Anne Leonard Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Richard Loewenstern Alison and Ara Malkhassian Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk Ms. Kathy McCraigh John & Dorothy McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Michael McGuire Alison and Ara Malkhassian Mr. and Mrs. William B. McNamara Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Mr. Stephen Mendoza Stephen & Marilyn Miles Shane A. Miller

Dr. and Mrs. Miguel Miro Quesada Ginni and Richard Mithoff Dr. and Mrs. Jack Moore Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moynier Aprill Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Bobbie Newman Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey B. Newton Jenni and Todd Olges Katherine and Jonathan Palmer Kusum & K. Cody Patel Mr. and Mrs. Raul Pavon Michael P. and Shirley Pearson Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Dr. and Mrs. Taj Popatia Heather and Chris Powers Tim and Katherine Pownell Roland and Linda Pringle Edlyn and David Pursell Cris and Elisa Pye Kathryn and Richard Rabinow Bradley L. Radoff and Monica Hoz De Vila Dr. and Mrs. George H. Ransford Jan Rhodes Vicky and Michael Richker Jill & Allyn Risley Dr. Douglas and Alicia Rodenberger Harold H. Sandstead, M.D. Mr. Tony W. Schlicht Garry and Margaret Schoonover Dr. Mark A. Schusterman Kathy & Ed Segner Susan and Ed Septimus Donna and Tim Shen Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sherman Leslie Siller**

Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Smith Sam and Linda Snyder Georgiana Stanley Mr. and Mrs. Keith Stevenson Wesley L. Story Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah Stephanie and Bill Swingle Susan L. Thompson Eric and Carol Timmreck Nanako and Dale Tingleaf Pamalah* and Stephen Tipps James F. Trippett Hallie A. Vanderhider Mr. and Mrs. David Vannauker Mr. and Mrs. David Walstad General and Mrs. Jasper Welch Nancy B. Willerson ** Ms. Barbara E. Williams Doug Williams and Janice Robertson Loretta and Lawrence Williams Mr. and Mrs. Tony Williford Woodell Family Foundation Mrs. Lorraine Wulfe Mr. and Mrs. Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. Robert and Michele Yekovich Edith and Robert Zinn Erla & Harry Zuber Anonymous (5)

$5,000+ Dr. and Mrs. George J. Abdo Lilly and Thurmon Andress** Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron** Mr. Jeff Autor Ms. Jacqueline Baly Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Kimberly and James Bell Joan H. Bitar, M.D. Mr. Robert Boblitt Jr. Anne Boss Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Mrs. Vada Boyle James and Judy Bozeman Mr. Chester Brooke and Dr. Nancy Poindexter Barbara A. Brooks Ms. Deborah Butler Marilyn Caplovitz Dr. Ye-Mon Chen and Mrs. Chaing-Lin Chen Darleen and Jack Christiansen Barbara A. Clark and Edgar A. Bering Donna M. Collins Mr. and Mrs. Byron Cooley Mr. and Mrs. Larry Corbin Ms. Miquel A. Correll Mr. and Mrs. Denis A. DeBakey Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts Kathy and Frank Dilenschneider Drs. Rosalind and Gary Dworkin David and Carolyn Edgar Mr. William P. Elbel and Ms. Mary J. Schroeder The Ensell Family Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Paula and Louis Faillace Ms. Ursula H. Felmet Mr. and Mrs. Walter Finger

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Our Donors $2,500+ Pat and John Anderson Mr. Tom Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks Drs. Henry and Louise Bethea Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bickel George Boerger Robert and Gwen Bray Joe Brazzatti Mr. and Mrs. Bruce G. Buhler Justice Brett and Erin Busby Kori and Chris Caddell Mr. Steve Carroll and Ms. Rachel Dolbier Mr. and Mrs. Brady F. Carruth Drs. David A. Cech and Mary R. Schwartz Matt Chuchla Jimmy and Lynn Coe Richard Collins Consurgo Sunshine Ms. Jeanette Coon and Thomas Collins James Cross Mrs. Myriam Degreve Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Delgado Joseph and Rebecca Demeter Jeanette and John DiFilippo Ms. Cynthia Diller Mrs. Edward N. Earle Mrs. Julie Earley David and Carolyn Edgar Annette and Knut Eriksen Aubrey & Sylvia Farb

Edwin Friedrichs and Darlene Clark** Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo Ms. Lucy Gebhart Wendy Germani Alyson and Elliot Gershenson Kathy and Albrecht Goethe Ms. Lidiya Gold Susan and Kevin Golden Marcos Gonzalez Mr. and Mrs. Herb Goodman Julianne and David Gorte Mr. and Mrs. Mark Grace Mr. William Gray and Mrs. Clare Fontenot-Gray Mr. and Mrs. Gary Greaser Mr. Mario Gudmundsson Eric and Angelea Halen Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hall Dr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. Ms. Deborah Happ and Mr. Richard Rost Mr. & Mrs. Houston Haymon Maureen Y. Higdon** Katherine and Archibald Govan Hill IV Mr. Stanley Hoffberger Mr. and Mrs. John Homier Laura and Rick C. Jaramillo Mady and Ken Kades Jane and Kevin Kremer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Langenstein Mr. William W. Lindley Mr. and Mrs. Peter MacGregor

Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod Martin Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Mason David and Heidi Massin Mr. and Mrs. Mark Matovich William D. and Karinne McCullough** Ernie and Martha McWilliams Larry and Lyn Miller Mrs. Suzanne Miller David Mincberg & Lainie Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Molloy Denise Monteleone Richard and Juliet Moynihan Jo Ann and Marvin Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Richard Murphy Jessica & Erick Navas Macky Osorio Rochelle and Sheldon Oster Mr. Joe Pacetti-De'Medici Nancy Parra Linda Tarpley Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Arnaud Pichon Dr. and Mrs. James L. Pool Dr. Vanitha Pothuri Mrs. Dana Puddy Clinton and Leigh Rappole Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Reimer Mrs. Adelina Romero Mr. and Mrs. John Ryder Harold H. Sandstead, M.D. Gina and Saib Saour Lawrence P. Schanzmeyer Dr. Mark A. Schusterman Mr. and Mrs. Dilanka Seimon

Mr. and Dr. Adrian D. Shelley Arthur E. and Ellen Shelton Hinda Simon Ms. Diana Skerl Mr. and Mrs. Cooper Smith David Smith and Elizabeth A. Fagan Mr. Michael Smith Richard and Mary Spies Jeaneen and Tim Stastny Mr. and Mrs. Keith Stevenson Meredith and Ralph Stone Mr. and Mrs. Randeep Suneja Mr. and Ms. Kerr Taylor Juliana and Stephen Tew Jean and Doug Thomas Courtney & Bill Toomey Sal and Denise Torrisi Dr. Brad and Mrs. Frances Urquhart Patricia Van Allan Dean Walker H. Richard Walton Nancy Ames and Danny Ward Alton and Carolyn Warren Ms. Katherine Warren Dr. and Mrs. Richard T. Weiss Dr. Robert Wilkins and Dr. Mary Ann ReynoldsWilkins Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Williams Jerry and Gerlind Wolinksy Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler Anonymous (2)

** Education and Community Engagement Donor

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INTUNE November 2022

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

YOUNG ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP Kusum Patel, Chair

Laurel Flores, Communications Chair

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Vice Chair

Jeff Hiller, Membership Chair

YOUNG ASSOCIATE PREMIUM $2,500+ Christopher P. Armstrong and Laura Schaffer

Ryan Cantrell

Mariana and James O. Huff III

Ann and Jonathan Ayre

Haydée del Calvo and Esteban Montero

Lauren and Mark Bahorich

Kendall and Jim Cross

Joel Luks

Tim Ong and Michael Baugh

Denise Davis

Kimberly and James Bell Jr.

Valerie Palmquist Dieterich and Tracy Dieterich

Elissa and Jarrod Martin Kelser McMiller#

Emily Bivona and Ryan Manser Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl# Eric Brueggeman

Toni Oplt and Ed Schneider Kusum and K. Cody Patel#

Carey Kirkpatrick

Liana and Andrew Schwaitzberg# Nadhisha and Dilanka Seimon Aerin and Quentin Smith#

Shane Miller

Vicky Dominguez

Emily and Joseph MorrelPorter Hedges LLP

Jamie Everett

Justin Stenberg# Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah

Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri

Claudio Gutierrez Elaine and Jeff Hiller#

Aprill Nelson#

YOUNG ASSOCIATE $1,500+ Amber Ali

Kallie Gallagher

Serene Lee

Chicovia Scott

Amanda Beatriz

Patrick B. Garvey

Kirby and David Lodholz#

Leonardo Soto

Laura and William Black

Amy Goodpasture

Gwen and Jay McMurrey

Maria Spadaro

Lindsay Buchanan#

Rebecca and Andrew Gould

Miriam Meriwani

Bryce Swinford

Adair and Kevin Brueggeman

Nicholas Gruy

Zoe Miller

Elise Wagner#

Greta Carlson

Ashley and John Horstman

David Moyer

David Chaluh

C. Birk Hutchens

Trevor Myers

Genevera Allen and Michael Weylandt

Lincoln Chen

Mariya Idenova

Lee Bar-Eli and Cliff Nash

Megan and John Degenstein

Jonathan Jan

Lauren Paine

Chante Westmoreland Dillard

Anna Kaplan

Blake Plaster

Laurel Flores#

Allegra Lilly and Robin Kesselman

Clarice Jacobson and Brian Rosenzweig

Carolyn and Patrick Gaidos

For more information, please contact Katie Salvatore, Development Officer & Board Liaison, at katie.salvatore@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8544.

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Hannah Whitney Marquis Wincher Leonard and Kristin Wood Owen Zhang

# Steering Committee

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners The Houston Symphony is proud to recognize the leadership support of our corporate, foundation, and government partners that allows the orchestra to reach new heights in musical performance, education, and community engagement, for Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast Region.

CORPORATE PARTNERS (as of October 31, 2022) Principal Corporate Guarantor ($250,000 and above) Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation**

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above) ConocoPhillips**

Houston Public MediaNews 88.7 FM; Channel 8 PBS*

KTRK ABC-13*

Houston Methodist* Kalsi Engineering PaperCity*

Shell USA, Inc.** Tenenbaum Jewelers*

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo** Kinder Morgan Foundation** Kirkland & Ellis The Lancaster Hotel* Occidental** PNC**

Rand Group, LLC* Sewell Truist United Airlines* Vinson & Elkins LLP

Marine Foods Express, Ltd. Neiman Marcus* One Market Square Garage*

Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC Univision Houston & Amor 06.5FM

Jackson & Company* Locke Lord LLP

Lockton Companies of Houston USI Southwest

Nordstrom** Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, L.L.P. Quantum Energy Partners

Silver Eagle Beverages* Sire Spirits Beth Wolff Realtors Zenfilm*

Mutiny Wine Room Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. University of St. Thomas*

Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

KPMG US Foundation, Inc. Mercantil ONEOK, Inc. Quantum Bass Center* SEI, Global Institutional Group

Smith, Graham & Company Stewart Title Company TAM International, Inc.

Guarantor ($100,000 and above) Bank of America Boston Consulting Group* Frost Bank

Underwriter ($50,000 and above) Accordant Advisors* Baker Botts L.L.P.* Cameron Management* Chevron** CKP Group* Engie** Houston Christian University

Sponsor ($25,000 and above) EOG Resources The Events Company* H-E-B/H-E-B Tournament of Champions**

Partner ($15,000 and above) City Kitchen* Faberge Gorman’s Uniform Service

Supporter ($10,000 and above) Houston First Corporation* Macy’s** Mark Kamin & Associates New Timmy Chan Corporation

Benefactor ($5,000 and above) Bank of Texas Beck Redden LLP BHP Frankly Organic Vodka

Patron (Gifts below $5,000) Amazon Baker Hughes BeDESIGN* Christian Dior Gulf Coast Distillers *

For information on becoming a corporate partner, please contact Timothy Dillow, Director, Corporate Relations, at timothy.dillow@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8538.

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* Includes in-kind support **Education and Community Engagement Support

INTUNE November 2022

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (as of September 30, 2022)

Diamond Guarantor ($1,000,000 and above) The Brown Foundation, Inc. Houston Symphony Endowment**

Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

Premier Guarantor ($500,000 and above) The Alkek and Williams Foundation

City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance The Cullen Foundation

The C. Howard Pieper Foundation

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Hearst Foundation** The Humphreys Foundation MD Anderson Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts**

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above) City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board**

Guarantor ($100,000 and above) The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation

The Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund

Underwriter ($50,000 and above) Beauchamp Foundation The Elkins Foundation The Fondren Foundation

Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation

John P. McGovern Foundation** The Powell Foundation** The Robbins Foundation**

Sponsor ($25,000 and above) William S. & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation The Vivian L. Smith Foundation**

The William Stamps Farish Fund

Partner ($15,000 and above) Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation** Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation**

The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation** William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation**

Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The Hood-Barrow Foundation The Schissler Foundation The Vaughn Foundation

George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Petrello Family Foundation

The Pierce Runnells Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation Strake Foundation**

The Radoff Family Foundation

Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation

Supporter ($10,000 and above) Edward H. Andrews The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation

Benefactor ($5,000 and above) Leon Jaworski Foundation

Patron (Gifts below $5,000) The Lubrizol Foundation The Scurlock Foundation

For information about becoming a foundation or government partner, please contact Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations, at christina.trunzo@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8530.

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**Education and Community Engagement Support

Houston Symphony Endowment The Houston Symphony Endowment is a separate nonprofit organization that invests contributions for the benefit of the Houston Symphony Society.

Create your named endowed fund or endow a musican chair through a planned gift such as a bequest. Your gift will not only help strengthen the financial sustainability of the orchestra, but also create a way for your family and friends to celebrate your commitment to the Houston Symphony by the fund in your honor.

For more information, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Director of Major Gifts, at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521.

TRUSTEES James H. Lee III, President David Krieger

William Dee Hunt Lynn Mathre

Jerome Simon Scott Wise

ENDOWMENT FUNDS $250,000+ Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello The Brown Foundation Guest Pianist Fund The Brown Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Fund in memory of Hanni and Stewart Orton, Legacy Society Co-Founders Margarett and Alice Brown Fund for Education Janet F. Clark Fund Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair Juraj Valčuha, Music Director The Cullen Foundation Maestro’s Fund The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Fund for Creative Initiatives The Margaret and James Elkins Foundation Fund The Virginia Lee Elverson Trust Fund Fondren Foundation Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster

The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Fund Memorial Concert Fund in memory of George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved Summer Concerts Fund parents of General Maurice Hirsch, and Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie Hirsch Bobbie Nau Chair Bloch, beloved sisters of General Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet Maurice Hirsch C. Howard Pieper Foundation Fund General Maurice Hirsch Chair Walter W. Sapp Fund, Legacy Society Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Co-Founder Houston Symphony Chorus Fund Fayez Sarofim Guest Violinist Fund through Joan and Marvin Kaplan Fund the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Ellen E. Kelley Chair Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster Max Levine Chair Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster Mary R. Lewis Fund for Piano Performance M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund Mary Lynn and Steve Marks Fund Barbara and Pat McCelvey Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Endowed Chair Education Programs William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

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The Schissler Foundation Fund Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund The Micijah S. Stude Special Production Fund Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Fund Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO The Wortham Foundation Classical Series Fund in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

INTUNE November 2022

Legacy Society The Legacy Society honors those who have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans through a bequest in a will, life-income gifts, or other deferred-giving arrangements.

For more information, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Director of Major Gifts, at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521.

CRESCENDO CIRCLE $100,000+ Dr. and Mrs. George J. Abdo Priscilla R. Angly Jonathan and Ann Ayre Myra W. Barber Janice Barrow Jim Barton James Bell Joe Anne Berwick* Joan H. Bitar, MD James and S. Dale Brannon Walter and Nancy Bratic Joe Brazzatti Terry Ann Brown Mary Kathryn Campion and Stephen Liston Drs. Dennis and Susan Carlyle Janet F. Clark Virginia A. Clark Mr. William E. Colburn Andria N. Elkins

Jean and Jack* Ellis The Aubrey* and Sylvia Farb Family Helen Hudspeth Flores* Eugene Fong Mrs. Aggie L. Foster Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Jo A. and Billie Jo Graves Mario Gudmundsson Deborah Happ and Richard Rost Marilyn and Bob Hermance Dr. Charles and Tammie Johnson Dr. Rita Justice Mr. and Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Joella and Steven P. Mach Michelle and Jack Matzer Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow

Bill and Karinne McCullough Muffy and Mike McLanahan Dr. Georgette M. Michko Dr. Robert M. Mihalo* Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Mueller Drs. John and Dorothy Oehler Gloria G. Pryzant Constance E. Roy Donna Scott Charles and Andrea Seay Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer Michael J. Shawiak Jule* and Albert* Smith Louis* and Mary Kay Snyder Ronald Mikita* & Rex Spikes Frank Shroeder Stanford in memory of Dr. Walter O. Stanford

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

Farida Abjani Dr. Antonio Arana* Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron George* and Betty Bashen Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Dorothy B. Black* Kerry Levine Bollmann Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Zu Broadwater Dr. Joan K. Bruchas* and Mr. H. Philip Cowdin* Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Erin Brunner Eugene R. Bruns Cheryl and Sam* Byington Sylvia J. Carroll Dr. Robert N. Chanon William J. Clayton and Margaret A. Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Byron Cooley The Honorable* and Mrs. William Crassas Dr. Lida S. Dahm Leslie Barry Davidson Susan Feickert Ginny Garrett Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Michael B. George Mauro H. Gimenez and Connie A. Coulomb Bill Grieves* Mr. Robert M. Griswold

Randolph Lee Groninger Claudio J. Gutierrez Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Gloria L. Herman* Timothy Hogan and Elaine Anthony Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Dr. Edward J. and Mrs. Patti* Hurwitz Dr. Kenneth Hyde Brian and Catherine James Barbara and Raymond Kalmans Dr. James E. and Betty W. Key Dr. and Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mrs. Frances E. Leland Samuel J. Levine Mrs. Lucy Lewis Sandra Magers David Ray Malone and David J. Sloat Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Jay and Shirley* Marks James G. Matthews Mary Ann and David McKeithan Dr. Tracey Samuels and Mr. Robert McNamara

Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Catherine Jane Merchant Marilyn Ross Miles and Stephen Warren Miles Foundation Sidney and Ione Moran Janet Moynihan* Richard and Juliet Moynihan Gretchen Ann Myers Patience Myers John N. Neighbors* in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors Mr.* and Mrs. Richard C. Nelson Bobbie Newman John and Leslie Niemand Leslie Nossaman Dave G. Nussmann* John Onstott Macky Osorio Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund and Megan Pantuliano Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos Christine and Red Pastorek Peter* and Nina Peropoulos Linda Tarpley Peterson Sara M. Peterson Darla Powell Phillips

Jenny and Tadjin Popatia Geraldine Smith Priest Dana Puddy Patrick T. Quinn Lila Rauch Ed and Janet Rinehart Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Walter Ross Dr. and Mrs. Kazuo Shimada Lisa and Jerry Simon Tad and Suzanne Smith Sherry Snyder Marie Speziale Emily H. and David K. Terry Stephen G. Tipps Steve Tostengard, in memory of Ardyce Tostengard Jana Vander Lee Bill and Agnete Vaughan Dean B. Walker Stephen and Kristine Wallace Geoffrey Westergaard Nancy B. Willerson Jennifer R. Wittman Lorraine and Ed* Wulfe David and Tara Wuthrich Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre Anonymous (8)

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*Deceased

Musician Sponsorships Donors at the Sponsorship Circle level and above are provided the opportunity to be recognized as sponsoring a Houston Symphony Musician.

For more information, please contact Samantha S. Olinsky, Major Gifts Officer, at samantha.olinsky@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8534.

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura Charles Seo, Cello

Steve and Mary Gangelhoff Judy Dines, Flute

Janice Barrow

Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation

Evan B. Glick

Sophia Silivos, First Violin

Martha Chapman, Second Violin

Nancy and Walter Bratic Christopher Neal, First Violin

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer Maki Kubota, Cello

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet and Clarinet

Ralph Burch

Robin Kesselman, Principal Double Bass

Barbara J. Burger

Andrew Pedersen, Double Bass

Mary Kathryn Campion, PhD Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Drs. Dennis and Susan Carlyle

Louis-Marie Fardet, Cello

Jane Cizik

Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster

Janet F. Clark

MuChen Hsieh, Principal Second Violin

Michael H. Clark and Sallie Morian

Assistant Principal Viola

Virginia A. Clark

Christian Harvey, Shepherd School-Houston Symphony Brown Foundation CommunityEmbedded Fellow

Roger and Debby Cutler Tong Yan, First Violin

Joan and Bob Duff

Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn

Christian Schubert, Clarinet Tong Yan, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello

Mark and Ragna Henrichs

Donald Howey, Double Bass

Gary L. Hollingsworth and Kenneth J. Hyde Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Joan Kaplan

Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

David Connor, Double Bass – Community-Embedded Musician

Dr. and Mrs. I. Ray Kirk

John C. Parker, Associate Principal Trumpet

Dr. William and Alice Kopp Leonardo Soto, Principal Timpani

Rochelle and Max Levit

Mr. Jay Marks

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Michelle and Jack Matzer

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe

Martha and Marvin McMurrey Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Rita and Paul Morico

Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Scott and Judy Nyquist Sheldon Person, Viola

Dr. Susan Osterberg and Mr. Edward C. Osterberg Jr. MiHee Chung, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Nancy Goodearl, Horn

Gloria and Joe Pryzant

Matthew Strauss, Percussion

Allan and Jean Quiat

Richard Harris, Trumpet

Laurie A. Rachford

Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal Double Bass

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Cora Sue and Harry Mach

Joan DerHovsepian, Acting Principal Viola

Joella and Steven P. Mach

Ron and Demi Rand

Annie Chen, Second Violin

Ed & Janet Rinehart

Amy Semes, Associate Principal Violin

Eric Larson, Double Bass

Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann

Mrs. Sybil F. Roos

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

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

Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet

Ian Mayton, Horn

Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Margaret and Joel Shannon Rainel Joubert, Violin– Community-Embedded Musician

Tad and Suzanne Smith

Marina Brubaker, First Violin

Alana R. Spiwak and Sam L. Stolbun

Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal Viola

Mike Stude

Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Bradley White, Acting Principal Trombone

Judith Vincent

Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Flute

Margaret Waisman, M.D. and Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mark Griffith, Percussion

Stephen and Kristine Wallace Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Position Open, Harp

Robert G. Weiner and Toni Blankman

Anastasia Ehrlich, Second Violin

Vicki West

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Steven and Nancy Williams MiHee Chung, First Violin

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wallace S. Wilson Xiao Wong, Cello

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Anthony Kitai, Cello

49

INTUNE November 2022

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317.697.7642 makehoustonhometoday.com karel.butz@sothebys.realty

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LOVE THE SYMPHONY? UNDER 45?

INTERESTED IN MEETING PEOPLE? LOOKING TO GET MORE INVOLVED?

JOIN THE YAC The Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council (YAC) is a philanthropic membership group for young professionals, music aficionados, and performing arts supporters aged 45 and under who are interested in exploring symphonic music in Houston’s thriving arts scene.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP • Invitations to Exclusive YAC Networking Parties and Events • Access to a Discounted Premium Concert Subscription Package • Season Access to Donor Lounges • Access to VIP Ticketing Services and Symphony Concierge • Invitations to Behind-the-Scenes Experiences and Private Rehearsals • Discounted Tickets to Houston Symphony Special Events • Complimentary Season Access to Valet Parking (Premium Level Only)

SCAN HERE TO JOIN

Interested? Contact Katie Salvatore at yac@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8544 to learn more!

Houston Symphony

56

Dennis & Susan Carlyle

Dee & Lea Hunt

Sippi & Ajay Khurana

Houston Symphony Opening Night Gala dinner at The Corinthian

Janet Clark, John Rydman, and Ginger Clark

John Mangum, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Juraj Valčuha

2022 HOUSTON SYMPHONY OPENING NIGHT CONCERT AND GALA The annual Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala, chaired by Drs. Susan and Dennis Carlyle, raised more than $540,000 for the Symphony’s industry-leading Education and Community Engagement initiatives. ConocoPhillips served as the Concert Sponsor and Lead Corporate Gala Underwriter for the 36th year.

After holding a scaled-down Concert and Gala last year due to the pandemic, this year’s Opening Night Concert and Gala returned in full force. The event celebrated the start of the 2022–23 Season and the inaugural season of Juraj Valčuha as the Houston Symphony’s 16th Music Director and holder of the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair. Upon arrival at Jones Hall, partygoers enjoyed a pre-concert champagne reception on the Mezzanine level before making their way into the concert. The evening featured Juraj leading the orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus alongside soprano Ana María Martínez, mezzosoprano Marina Prudenskaya, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy in a rousing performance of Verdi’s Requiem. Following the performance, more than 300 guests were transported to the Corinthian Houston for a spectacular seated dinner catered by Jackson and Company.

The décor, created by The Events Company, transformed the space with crystal chandeliers and greenery cascading across the balcony. The guests enjoyed a three-course dinner with wine pairings provided by Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods.

Following dinner, guests danced the night away to musical entertainment by the David Caceres Band.

53

INTUNE November 2022

Corporate Spotlight

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Chevron delivers the affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy the world depends on every day. Houston is home to Chevron’s largest employee population and many of its operating companies. Chevron is proud to be part of the Houston community and is committed to giving Houstonians the boost they need to reach their full potential.

Visit chevron.com/houston to learn more.

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INTUNE October 2022

2022–23 HOUSTON SYMPHONY

COMMUNITYEMBEDDED FELLOWSHIP

The Houston Symphony is excited to announce the newly selected recipients of our Community-Embedded Fellowship! The Community-Embedded Fellowship, a collaboration with Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, is an apprenticeship program that provides graduate music students with the opportunity to develop community engagement skills. The fellowship is specifically geared toward students who are black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). Community engagement training is necessary to create well-rounded, service-minded musicians, but it is not widely provided in many music programs. To support the community engagement instruction of our educational partners, the Houston Symphony created this industry-leading fellowship so more musicians will go out into the orchestra world with an increased skill, experience, and passion for engaging diverse audiences. Under the guidance of the Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians (CEMs) and other Symphony staff, these annually chosen fellows will have the unique opportunity to learn how to share their love of music with children and other populations from Houston’s underserved communities.

DONALD RABIN, MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC-HOUSTON SYMPHONY COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED FELLOW Donald Rabin, flute, is currently a second year Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in Music Performance and is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Arts Leadership.

An avid educator and leader, Donald teaches flute at Porter High School and serves as the 2022-23 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Interdisciplinary Fellow. Through this fellowship, Donald is excited to learn more about the Houston community, interact with non-musicians to understand their perspectives, develop tools to engage a wider audience, and challenge the current philosophy on how the arts are being taught in society today.

CHRISTIAN HARVEY, SHEPHERD SCHOOL-HOUSTON SYMPHONY BROWN FOUNDATION COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED FELLOW Christian Harvey, double bass, is currently a first-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance. Christian’s music journey began at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts (GA), where he performed at many notable venues, including Carnegie Hall.

Christian previously earned his Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. Through this fellowship, he is excited to interact with members of the Houston community and hopes to inspire kids to pursue music.

Scan here to learn more about the Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians initiative

Virginia A. Clark serves as Houston Symphony Musician Sponsor for the Shepherd School of Music Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Fellow.

55

INTUNE November 2022

WHAT PLANET ARE YOU?

WALL FLOWER

Which would you rather be known for, wittiness or wisdom?

PLAY PRANKS

Are you more likely to gossip with your friends or play pranks on them?

GOSSIP

YOGA

If your friends are fighting do you help them come to a resolution or let them duke it out?

RESOLUTION

ON A WHIM

FOOTBALL

PLAY FOR FUN

Do you plan a vacation a year in advance or book a weekend trip on a whim?

Do you prefer yoga or football?

DUKE IT OUT

CENTER OF ATTENTION

When playing a board game do you play to win or have fun?

WITTINESS You are most like the Bringer of Old Age. Like the pulse throughout the movement, you bring structure and meaning to the world around you.

You surround yourself with people you love but can be competitive.

SCAN TO READ ABOUT THE MUSIC OF YOUR PLANET

WISDOM

SATURN

In a group are you the center of attention or the wall flower?

PLAY TO WIN

YEAR IN ADVANCE

START

MARS

MERCURY

URANUS

JUPITER

VENUS

NEPTUNE

You are most like The Bringer of War, ominous and unnerving. You like to command attention— similar to the brass fanfares in this movement—are competitive in most things you do, and make impulsive decisions.

You are most like the Winged Messenger. As energetic and lively as the woodwind lines in this movement, you are always the center of attention and love to gossip.

Abracadabra–you’re most like the Magician! You and your boisterous friends are a very tight-knit group, always playing pranks on each other. You can sometimes be unpredictable, like the dances Holst wrote in this movement.

As the Bringer of Jollity, you are the cheery uncle of all the planets and king of the gods.

Similar to the two contrasting styles of this piece, you know how to have fun with friends but can be serious and comforting when needed. You always know the right thing to say.

The rocking lullaby feel of this movement is comforting and conflict free, just like how you like to live your life as the Bringer of Peace.

You are happy to join a group activity or find a cozy place and enjoy some “me-time.”

Mysterious and other-worldly, you are most like the Mystic Neptune. You keep to yourself, stay in the shadows, like the offstage women’s choir in this movement, and like to keep out of trouble.

Houston Symphony

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Jones Hall – 615 Louisiana Street houstonsymphony.org