Houston Symphony Announces Schedule of Events for September 2015

HOUSTON (July 30, 2015) - The Houston Symphony will officially start its 2015-16 season of POPS, Family and Classical concerts in September 2015 after an action-packed Summer Concert Series.

The POPS season will kick off early in the month with The Music of the Beatles concert on September 4, 5 and 6. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, the program will feature the entire Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album and other favorites from the Beatles' career. Finnish a cappella sextet Rajaton will be the featured vocalist in this presentation, providing a fresh take on the timeless songs. In their native Finland, Rajaton is viewed as a bona fide pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and mainstream convention.

The next weekend, a special preface to the Symphony's classical season will feature world-famous violinist Joshua Bell at the Houston Symphony's Opening Night. Led by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Bell will perform the West Side Story Suite for Violin and Orchestra. The rest of the program allows the orchestra to shine in performances of Gershwin's An American in Paris and Stravinsky's Firebird suite.

The classical season will officially begin with performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 5 on September 17, 19 and 20. The orchestra will also perform the world premiere of the orchestral version of Stomp, composed by John Corigliano. During the concert, Corigliano will offer commentary from the stage alongside Andrés Orozco-Estrada as part of a newly-created On-Stage Insights with Andrés.

Young violinist Simone Porter will play Barber's Violin Concerto on September 25-27. Just 18 years old, Porter has already appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra in her musical career. The rest of the concert will feature the work of Dvo?ák in both his Symphony No. 6 and selections from Symphonic Dances.

The Music of the Beatles
Friday, September 4, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 5, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 6, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Rajaton, vocalists

Opening Night with Joshua Bell
Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Bernstein/Brohn: West Side Story Suite for Violin and Orchestra
Stravinsky: Suite from The Firebird (1919)

Mahler Symphony No. 5
Thursday, September 17, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 19, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 20, 2015, 2:30 p.m.
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
*On-Stage Insights with Andrés
John Corigliano: Stomp World Premiere of Orchestral Version
*Houston Symphony Commission
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Andrés Conducts Dvo?ák
Friday, September 25, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2:30 p.m.
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Simone Porter, violin
Dvo?ák: Slavonic Dances (selections)
Barber: Violin Concerto
Dvo?ák: Symphony No. 6

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