Embark on a magical journey with the Houston Symphony as they present "Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote," a concert that promises to whisk you away to a world of fairy tales, legends, and adventure. Under the baton of Music Director Juraj Valčuha, this enchanting performance will feature Wagner’s majestic "Tannhäuser Overture," evoking images of gleaming castles and valiant knights, alongside the whimsical melodies of Humperdinck’s "Hansel and Gretel," guiding you from once upon a time to a joyous happily ever after. The grand finale brings to life the colorful and sometimes comical exploits of Miguel de Cervantes’s iconic Man of La Mancha in Strauss’s action-packed "Don Quixote." This vivid portrayal will spotlight the exceptional talents of Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith and Principal Viola Joan DerHovsepian, immersing you in the whimsical world of knights, magicians, and giants, with a memorable encounter featuring an army of sheep, humorously depicted by the orchestra’s bleating woodwinds and brass.

This concert series is set to captivate audiences at Jones Hall with performances scheduled for November 1, 2, and 3, 2024. Each concert offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of storytelling through music, promising an unforgettable evening for subscribers who have the exclusive first pick on tickets. Join the Houston Symphony for a spellbinding adventure that celebrates the power of music to transport us to fantastical realms and the depths of human imagination.

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Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote

Jones Hall

Great Italian Arias

Anson Mills

The 19th century was the century of romanticism, especially in music, where the time offers wonderful works. The fabulous German violinist Arabella Steinbacher is the soloist in Mendelssohn's sensitive Violin Concerto, and the concert also offers a musical portrayal of Don Juan and his frenzied pursuit of women in Richard Strauss's tone poem Don Juan . The concert ends in waltz time with the elegant  Imperial Waltz by Johann Strauss dy, which is included as the last stop on the journey through the age of romanticism.

Tivoli / Arabella Steinbacher and the romance

Tivolis Koncertsal

Study concert with oboe students under Max Artved.
Accompanist: Charlotte Thaning

Study concert with oboe students

New Hall

Study concert with voice, violin and piano students under Berit Tange

Study concert with voice, violin and piano students

The Studio Hall

Study concert with piano- and accompaniment students under Christian Westergaard

Study concert with piano and accompaniment

DKDM

Study concert with accompaniment students under Berit Tange

Study concert with accompaniment students

The Two Big 3’s

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 begins famously with “fate knocking at the door.” Experience this beloved work, and further explore the topic of fate in music with Carlos Simon’s Fate Now Conquers. The Syracuse Orchestra will feature principal oboist, Eduardo Sepúlveda, performing R. Strauss’s gorgeous Oboe Concerto. The evening includes a world-premiere by one of our favorite composers, Polina Nazaykinskaya.

Beethoven’s Fifth

The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater

Much of the music of German-Jewish Maria Herz survives via manuscripts alone. Composed during the early- to mid-twentieth century, amidst rising antisemitism, only five of her more than thirty orchestral works were actually published in her lifetime. It is largely thanks to her grandson, Albert Herz, that we

can enjoy Maria Herz’s music in modern times. Tonight, star cellist and champion of female composers, Raphaela Gromes will join conductor Han-Na Chang – herself a prestigious cellist – to perform Herz’s Cello Concerto.

Don Juan, based on the trials and tribulations of the legendary Renaissance-era Spanish libertine, begins the programme. It was one of Richard Strauss’s triumphs, catapulting the then-24 year old composer onto the international stage. Finally, the programme concludes with Prokofiev’s defiant and triumphant Fifth Symphony , a masterpiece that he described as being ‘a culmination of an entire period of work… a symphony on the greatness of the human soul.’

The Hallé - Prokofiev's Triumphant Fifth

The Bridgewater Hall

Experience the unparalleled mastery of Hilary Hahn as she takes the stage with the Houston Symphony for an unforgettable performance of Brahms's Violin Concerto. Under the baton of the esteemed Andrés Orozco-Estrada, this concert promises to be a showcase of virtuosity and emotion, set against the backdrop of Jones Hall on March 7, 8, and 9, 2025. The program also features the epic sounds of R. Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra and Brahms's Schicksalslied, offering a night of musical brilliance that spans the gamut of human experience.

Hilary Hahn, a violinist celebrated for her technical precision and profound interpretations, will bring her unique artistry to one of the most cherished masterpieces in the violin repertoire. The concert will also highlight the talents of conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Houston Symphony Chorus, adding layers of depth and harmony to the evening.

This event is not just a concert but an immersive experience into the world of classical music, brought to life by some of the most talented musicians of our time. Subscribers have the exclusive opportunity to secure their seats for this musical journey, with the promise of savings, priority seating, and special perks. Join us for a night where music transcends the ordinary, at Jones Hall in March 2025.

Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms

This concert shines a spotlight on music filled with sumptuous drama. Strauss’s incidental music for Ariadne auf Naxos gives more than a flavour of its protagonists flitting across the opera stage. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.24 just pre-dates Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro and it too brings all the poise and characterful drama of opera to the concert stage. Our second half moves from the world of opera to ballet, as Tchaikovsky finished his Third Symphony before writing Swan Lake and this work pirouettes with the kinetic energy of the corps de ballet.

R. Strauss

Events

Upcoming events

24 - 25 Jan, 2025

The Two Big 3’s · El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Jan 25, 2025

Beethoven’s Fifth · The Syracuse Orchestra

Feb 27, 2025

The Hallé - Prokofiev's Triumphant Fifth · The Bridgewater Hall

7 - 9 Mar, 2025

Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms · Houston Symphony

May 2, 2025

Take the Stage · Ulster Orchestra

Past events

1 - 3 Nov, 2024

Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote · Houston Symphony

18 - 19 Oct, 2024

Great Italian Arias · El Paso Symphony Orchestra

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