The Houston Symphony Announces 2021–22 Season Single Tickets On Sale And New Program Details

Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducts first Family Series concert in December

World Premiere and Houston Symphony Commission of new orchestral arrangement of Bridgetower’s “Henry”

World Premiere and Houston Symphony Commission of Higdon’s Double Percussion Concerto

Individual tickets to all the announced Houston Symphony 2021–22 Classical and POPS concerts are now available via houstonsymhony.org and 713.224.7575. Single tickets to the Symphony’s BBVA Family Series are currently only on sale to subscribers. The 2021–22 Season begins in September with the Bank of America POPS program, Once Upon a Time: Alan Menken’s Broadway, Sept. 3–5, followed by the one-night only Opening Night Gala and Concert with Renée Fleming, sponsored by ConocoPhillips, on Sept. 11. Then, the 2021–22 Classical Series opens with Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s much-anticipated return and final season celebration in Andrés Conducts Beethoven’s Fifth, Sept. 17–19. “The talent, collaborative spirit, and personality of every musician on stage, combined with the energy we receive from the audience, are the aspects of Houston I have missed the most, and I can’t wait to return,” said Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada. “The level of musicianship in our orchestra is second to none, and I’m looking forward to showing this artistry through these works of art. Audiences will also get the chance to see members of the orchestra performing alongside renowned guest artists, which is a testament to our musicians’ world-class virtuosity.” To conclude his tenure, Orozco-Estrada welcomes back pianists Yefim Bronfman and Emanuel Ax, and violinist Gil Shaham and Augustin Hadelich in concertos and collaborations with Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Oboe Jonathan Fischer, Principal Double Bass Robin Kesselman, and Principal Keyboard Scott Holshouser; as well as a lineup of audience-favorites including Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5 and Mahler’s dramatic Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, with soprano Ana María Martínez and mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor; and spotlights Houston Symphony musicians in solo performances. Among the new highlights announced for the 2021–22 Season are Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducting the world premiere Houston Symphony commission of a new orchestral arrangement of 19^th-Century Afro-European composer George Bridgetower’s Henry, a Ballad, for Fortepiano and Voice in a new arrangement by Kyle Rivera, a Houston-area composer who most recently collaborated with the Symphony as part of the Resilient Sounds initiative in 2019. Later in the season, another commission by the Houston Symphony gets its COVID-delayed world premiere performance, as Robert Spano conducts Associate Principal Timpani and Percussionist Matthew Strauss, guest percussionist Svet Stoyanov, and the orchestra in Jennifer Higdon’s Double Percussion Concerto. Guest artists for the 2021–22 Classical Season include Yefim Bronfman in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with Concertmaster Yoonshin Song and Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith, Sept. 17–19. Augustin Hadelich as violin and leader on Sept. 24–26 in Bach’s Double Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe with Principal Oboe Jonathan Fischer; Shostakovich’s Sonata for Violin; Bach’s Prelude from Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin, Percussion, and Strings; Saint-Georges’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Other luminaries include pianist Hélène Grimaud in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, Nov. 19–21; superstar violinist Simone Lamsma in Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1, Nov. 26–28; pianist Alexandra Dariescu making her Symphony debut in Nadia Boulanger’s Fantasie for Piano and Orchestra and Franck’s Variations symphoniques, Feb. 11–13; Gil Shaham in Samuel Barber’s ravishing Violin Concerto and Bottesini’s dazzling Grand duo concertante with Principal Double Bass Robin Kesselman, Dec. 3–5; world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax in Saint-Saëns’s beloved and colorful Le carnaval des animaux (Carnival of the Animals) alongside Houston Symphony Principal Keyboard Scott Holshouser, Mar. 18–20; Principal Harp Megan Conley in Kaija Saariaho’s Trans for Harp and Orchestra, Mar. 11–13; French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Apr. 15–16; and legendary violinist and Houston Symphony Artistic Partner Itzhak Perlman, May 12, 14 & 15. Other highlights include the return of the Houston Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber in four concerts throughout the season: Handel’s Messiah, Very Merry POPS, Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s last performances as Music Director leading Mahler’s Second Symphony with soprano Ana María Martínez and mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, and Music Director Designate Juraj Valčuha leading Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to close the season. Also, following his popular deep dive into the music and psyche of Robert Schumann during the Symphony’s 2019–20 Schumann Festival, pianist and psychiatrist Dr. Richard Kogan returns by popular demand on Dec. 4, to perform the final movement of Beethoven’s Piano Trio Number Four, Opus Eleven with Symphony musicians, and to talk in-depth about The Mind and Music of Beethoven. Celebrating Houston Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine’s (CPAM) 25^th Anniversary, the performance is part of the Symphony’s partnership with CPAM, and begins at 5 p.m., Dec. 4 at Jones Hall. General admission is free, but ticket reservations are required. The complete chronological listing of concerts—including performance dates, times, and guest artists—is below. POPS 1 Once Upon a Time: Alan Menken’s Broadway (no intermission) FRI, SEPT. 3, 8 P.M. SAT, SEPT. 4, 8 P.M.* SUN, SEPT. 5, 2:30 P.M. Steven Reineke, conductor Katie Rose Clarke, vocalist Matt Doyle, vocalist Jordan Donica, vocalist Montego Glover, vocalist SYMPHONY SPECIAL Opening Night: Renée Fleming SAT, SEPT. 11, 7:30 P.M. (no intermission) Steven Reineke, conductor Renée Fleming, soprano CLASSICAL 1 Andrés Conducts Beethoven’s Fifth FRI, SEPT. 17, 8 P.M. SAT, SEPT. 18, 8 P.M. * SUN, SEPT. 19, 2:30 P.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Yoonshin Song, violin Brinton Averil Smith, cello Yefim Bronfman, piano G. BRIDGETOWER/Arr. KYLE RIVERA  Henry, A Ballad, for Fortepiano and Voice, arranged for Orchestra (Houston Symphony Commission, World Premiere) BEETHOVEN  Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano BEETHOVEN  Symphony No. 5 CLASSICAL 2 The Artistry of Augustin Hadelich (no intermission) FRI, SEPT. 24, 8 P.M. SAT, SEPT. 25, 8 P.M.* SUN, SEPT. 26, 2:30 P.M. Augustin Hadelich, violin and leader Jonathan Fischer, oboe BACH  Double Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe SHOSTAKOVICH  Sonata for Violin, Percussion, and String Orchestra BACH  Prelude from Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin SAINT-GEORGES  Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2 POPS 2 Whole Lotta Shakin’: Swing to Rock FRI, OCT. 8, 8 P.M. SAT, OCT. 9, 8 P.M.* SUN, OCT. 10, 2:30 P.M. Steven Reineke, conductor Dave Bennett, clarinet Houston Symphony Big Band CLASSICAL 3 Title TBC FRI, OCT. 22, 8 P.M. SAT, OCT. 23, 8 P.M.* SUN, OCT. 24, 2:30 P.M. Jane Glover, conductor Artists and Program TBC CLASSICAL 4 Symphonie fantastique FRI, OCT. 29, 8 P.M. SAT, OCT. 30, 8 P.M.* SUN, OCT. 31, 2:30 P.M. Jader Bignamini, conductor COLERIDGE-TAYLOR  Symphonic Variations on an African Air BERLIOZ  Symphonie fantastique POPS 3 Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Songbook FRI, NOV. 5, 8 P.M. SAT, NOV. 6, 8 P.M.* SUN, NOV. 7, 2:30 P.M. Steven Reineke, conductor Byron Stripling, trumpet and vocalist CLASSICAL 5 Hélène Grimaud Plays Ravel FRI, NOV. 19, 8 P.M. SAT, NOV. 20, 8 P.M.* SUN, NOV. 21, 2:30 P.M. Matthias Pintscher, conductor Hélène Grimaud, piano DEBUSSY  “Ibéria” from Images RAVEL  Piano Concerto in G

1. CHIN  Graffiti

RAVEL  Rapsodie espagnole CLASSICAL 6 Thanksgiving Weekend: Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty FRI, NOV. 26, 8 P.M. SAT, NOV. 27, 8 P.M.* SUN, NOV. 28, 2:30 P.M. Fabien Gabel, conductor Simone Lamsma, violin

1. MOUSSANocturne for Orchestra

BRUCH  Violin Concerto No. 1 HUMPERDINCK  Königskinder: Prelude, Introduction to Acts II and III TCHAIKOVSKY  Sleeping Beauty Suite CLASSICAL 7 Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker + Gil Shaham FRI, DEC. 3, 8 P.M. SAT, DEC. 4, 8 P.M.* SUN, DEC. 5, 2:30 P.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Gil Shaham, violin Robin Kesselman, double bass BARBER  Violin Concerto BOTTESINI  Gran duo concertante TCHAIKOVSKY  The Nutcracker, Act II Performance does not feature dancing.   FAMILY 1 Musical Treats from The Nutcracker—for Kids! SAT, DEC. 4, 10 A.M. & 11:30 A.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor SYMPHONY SPECIAL Handel’s Messiah FRI, DEC. 10, 8 P.M. SAT, DEC. 11, 8 P.M.* SUN, DEC. 12, 2:30 P.M. Bernard Labadie, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director Janwin Overstreet-Goode, choral preparation HANDEL  Messiah POPS 4 Very Merry POPS SAT, DEC. 18, 8 P.M.* SUN, DEC. 19, 2:30 P.M. SUN, DEC. 19, 7:30 P.M. Michael Krajewski, conductor Rodney Ingram, vocalist Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director Matthew Hazzard, choral preparation POPS 5 Pink Martini FRI, JAN. 7, 8 P.M. SAT, JAN. 8, 8 P.M.* SUN, JAN. 9, 2:30 P.M. Steven Reineke, conductor Classical 8 Christoph Eschenbach Returns FRI, JAN. 21, 8 P.M. SAT, JAN. 22, 8 P.M.* SUN, JAN. 23, 2:30 P.M. Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Remainder of program TBC POPS 6 Classic Rock: The Sound of a Generation FRI, FEB. 4, 8 P.M. SAT, FEB. 5, 8 P.M.* SUN, FEB. 6, 2:30 P.M. Michael Krajewski, conductor Shem von Schroeck, vocalist Micah Wilshire, vocalist Lori Zabka, vocalist FAMILY 2 Let’s Be A Pirate!   SAT, FEB. 5, 10 A.M. & 11:30 A.M Robert Franz, conductor CLASSICAL 9 Fabien Gabel Conducts French Masterworks FRI, FEB. 11, 8 P.M. SAT, FEB. 12, 8 P.M.* Fabien Gabel, conductor Alexandra Dariescu, piano Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano Matthew White, tenor STRAVINSKY  Chant funébre (Funeral Song)

1. BOULANGER Fantaisie Variéefor Piano and Orchestra

FRANCK  Variations symphoniques L. BOULANGER  Scenes from Faust et Hélène CLASSICAL 10 FRI, FEB. 25, 8 P.M. SAT, FEB. 26, 8 P.M.* SUN, FEB. 27, 2:30 P.M. Ryan Bancroft, conductor Remainder of program TBC POPS 7 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi—in Concert FRI, MAR. 4, 8 P.M. SAT, MAR. 5, 8 P.M. SUN, MAR. 6, 2:30 P.M. Damon Gupton, conductor CLASSICAL 11 Rachmaninoff’s Second FRI, MARCH 11, 8 P.M. SAT, MARCH 12, 8 P.M.* SUN, MARCH 13, 2:30 P.M. Lionel Bringuier, conductor Megan Conley, harp K. SAARIAHO  Trans for Harp and Orchestra RACHMANINOFF  Symphony No. 2 CLASSICAL 12 Andrés Conducts The Carnival of the Animals FRI, MAR.18, 8 P.M. SAT, MAR. 19, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAR. 20, 2:30 P.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Emanuel Ax, piano Scott Holshouser, piano SAINT-SAËNS  Le carnaval des animaux (Carnival of the Animals) Remainder of program TBC CLASSICAL 13 Symphony Soloists FRI, MAR. 25, 8 P.M. SAT, MAR. 26, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAR. 27, 2:30 P.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor TBC, Houston Symphony soloists Remainder of program TBC CLASSICAL 14 Thibaudet Plays Liszt FRI, APR. 15, 8 P.M. SAT, APR. 16, 8 P.M.* Rafael Payare, conductor Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano LISZT  Piano Concerto No. 2 Remainder of program TBC POPS 8 Aretha: Queen of Soul FRI, APR. 22, 8 P.M. SAT, APR. 23, 8 P.M.* SUN, APR. 24, 2:30 P.M. Lucas Waldin, conductor Capathia Jenkins, vocalist Ryan Shaw, vocalist The Phillip Hall Singers Phillip Hall, director FAMILY 3 African Adventure SAT, APR. 23, 10 A.M. & 11:30 A.M. Robert Franz, conductor CLASSICAL 15 Andrés’s Farewell: Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony FRI, APR. 29, 8 P.M. SAT, APR. 30, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAY 1, 2:30 P.M. Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Ana María Martínez, soprano Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director MAHLER  Symphony No. 2, Resurrection CLASSICAL 16 Copland 3 + Higdon World Premiere FRI, MAY 6, 8 P.M. SAT, MAY 7, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAY 8, 2:30 P.M. Robert Spano, conductor Matthew Strauss and Svet Stoyanov, percussion THEOFANIDIS  Rainbow Body J. HIGDON  Double Percussion Concerto (World Premiere, Houston Symphony Commission) COPLAND  Symphony No. 3 CLASSICAL 17 Itzhak Perlman Returns THU, MAY 12, 8 P.M. SAT, MAY 14, 8 P.M. SUN, MAY 15, 2:30 P.M. Itzhak Perlman, conductor Remainder of program TBC CLASSICAL 19 Season Finale: Beethoven 9 FRI, MAY 20, 8 P.M. SAT, MAY 21, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAY 22, 2:30 P.M. Juraj Valčuha, conductor J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano Mark Doss, bass-baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Betsy Cook Weber, director

1. SIMON  An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, Choral

POPS 9 The Best of John Williams: Star Wars & More with Chorus FRI, MAY 27, 8 P.M. SAT, MAY 28, 8 P.M.* SUN, MAY 29, 2:30 P.M. Steven Reineke, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Betsey Cook Weber, director *Livestreamed at 8 p.m. CT Ticket Information Subscriptions and single tickets for the 2021–22 Season, including the Classical and POPS Series are now on sale. While individual tickets to the Symphony’s BBVA Family Series are currently only on sale to subscribers. For more information, visit houstonsymphony.org or call the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at 713.224.7575, Monday─Saturday, 12─6 p.m. All programs subject to change.  Houston Symphony Season Partners Support from the Houston Symphony’s corporate, foundation, and government partners allows the orchestra to reach new artistic heights in music, education, and community engagement. Two-thirds of the Symphony’s annual operating budget comes from donations and philanthropic support. The Houston Symphony 2021−22 partners include Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods/Spec’s Charitable Foundation (Principal Corporate Guarantor), Houston Methodist (Official Health Care Provider), United Airlines (Official Airline), Tenenbaum (Preferred Jewelry Partner), and media partners ABC-13 (Official Television Partner) and Houston Public Media (Media Partner). Series support comes from Bank of America (POPS Series), BBVA (Family Series), Shell, ExxonMobil, Frost Bank, and Rand Group. The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc., in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham. The activities and projects of the Houston Symphony are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Livestream of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by Barbara J. Burger.