Mercury – The Orchestra Redefined Begins Its 2013-2014 Season

It has been a year since Mercury - The Orchestra Redefined rebranded its image in the public, increasing the scope of the orchestra's repertoire and expanding accessibility to music for audiences across Houston.

The period ensemble has shown impressive and sustained growth since its founding in 2000, evolving natural into its current form as an orchestra performing on period instruments for diverse audiences across the city. The change has proven to be "instrumental" towards the orchestra's aim of further integrating itself into the community. In addition to a wide range of concert programming downtown and a longstanding educational partnership with YES Prep West, Mercury unveiled its new Neighborhood Series in 2012-2013, which has proven to be wildly successful, bringing in new audiences across the community.

As Mercury prepares for its 2013-2014 Season, it has expanded programming into the romantic era with Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, along with baroque and classical masterpieces from Beethoven to Brandenburg. says Antoine Plante, founder and artistic director, explains. "I wanted for each concert to be different from the next, so we pulled from all types of different genres and time periods,"

Mercury's vision for the season ahead is to entertain and inspire musical experts and novices alike. Dynamic performances with outstanding musicians are what Mercury is all about, Plante says. In addition to intimate performances and education programs on period instruments, Antoine Plante is known for his spoken presentations on the stage - a welcome commentary for audience members both familiar and new to the music.

Mozart Piano Concertos (Oct. 5) marks Mercury's first collaboration with Tim Hester, a University of Houston professor who also focuses on awakening the beauty of the 18th century fortepiano - literally meaning loud and soft. The classical Mozart centered playbill includes the Piano Concerto No. 9 "Jeunehomme," written when Mozart was 21 years old, and his Symphony No. 29 in A major.

The voices of the University of Houston Choral are summed for Napoleon and the Battle of Nations (Nov. 23). Haydn's Mass in the Time of War and Beethoven's Coriolan Overture chronicle the story of the French military leader's rise to power and subsequent defeat.

Opting for something different than the predictable Messiah for its holiday themed concert, Te Deum: A Christmas Celebration (Dec. 14) programs a healthy soupçon of Parisian Baroque's raison d'être with Charpentier's Christmas Mass,sung by the Bach Society Choir.

Traveling outside of what's considered early music, Tchaikovsky Serenade (Jan. 11, 2014) spotlights one of Romanticism's greatest hits. Musicians will pick up their modern fiddles outfitted with gut strings for Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings. British harpsichordist-cum-conductor Richard Egarr's visit to Houston and first engagement with Mercury is part of the second annual Texas Early Music Festival.

The all Bach binge programs the Complete Brandenburg (Feb. 14, 2014) concerti. Egarr plans to lead from the keyboard.

The virtuosity of Baroque specialist Kathryn Montoya will be on display for Dreams and Nightmares (March 28, 2014), which includes Vivaldi's recorder showpiece La Notte (The Night).

The season closes with Beethoven 6 & 7 (May 3, 2014), two epic scores typically performed by large orchestras.

In addition to the Downtown Series at Wortham Theater Center, Mercury's Neighborhood Series bring music to alternative venues in The Heights, Museum District, Memorial and The Woodlands. And at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Mercury's 8 Seasons (Aug. 31) adds south-of-the-border sass to Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Piazzolla's own version.

For tickets and more information on the exciting season ahead, visit www.MercuryHouston.org or call (713) 533-0080.