Houston Symphony Announces Its 2019-2020 Season

The Houston Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada announced today details of the 2019−2020 season, which marks Orozco-Estrada's sixth year as music director. This season is characterized by in-depth explorations of the works of some of the greatest composers with the superb musicians of the Houston Symphony, crowned by a two-week-long Schumann Festival, the likes of which is seldom seen in the United States. This is a unique opportunity to experience the scope of Robert Schumann's music, and to get a glimpse inside the mind of a creative genius.

"We have some wonderful concerts programmed, including a very special two-week Schumann Festival," said Orozco-Estrada, holder of the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair. "I am thrilled to be delving into the beautiful, deeply personal music of this revolutionary composer with the orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus. Schumann lived his life through music, using it to express his own powerful feelings of love, joy, fear, and loss and to wrestle with his demons. We will also continue our journey together through the remarkable works of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, and we will premiere exciting new music by Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López. As always, there will be introductions and explanations that help listeners understand why we are so passionate about the music we play."

"The Houston Symphony is where you want to be for world-class music-making in the upcoming season," said Executive Director/CEO and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum. "I leave Jones Hall after every concert so impressed by our incredible musicians, the stellar guest artists, the imaginative programming, and the innovative ideas that Andrés, our Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke, and all of our other collaborators bring to us. I've said many times that a great city like Houston deserves a great orchestra, and week in, week out, no matter who is on the podium, our musicians deliver on that promise. Their range is astonishing, their commitment is inspiring, and the concerts?whether they're playing Schumann, Beethoven, Mahler, John Williams, the latest and greatest from Broadway, or classic favorites by Aretha Franklin and Nat King Cole?are unforgettable."

Highlights of the 2019−2020 classical season include Andrés Orozco-Estrada conducting all-Stravinsky and all-Strauss programs, as well the Schumann Festival, Mahler's Symphony No. 7, and Das klagende Lied; appearances by piano superstars Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet; world-class violinists Augustin Hadelich, Simone Lamsma, and Gil Shaham; Marek Janowski conducting Beethoven and Wagner; and David Robertson conducting John Adams' oratorio El Niño.

The Houston Symphony Chorus, led by Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, will be featured in five subscription programs, including Mahler's Das klagende Lied, John Adams' El Niño, two programs of classical choral works during the two-week-long Schumann Festival, and Beethoven's Choral Fantasy. The Houston Symphony Chorus is also featured in the POPs Series program The Best of John Williams-Star Wars and More with Chorus!

Season tickets for the 2019-20 season, including the Classical, POPS, and BBVA Compass Family Series, are on sale now. Classical Series packages start at $135; POPS Series at $156; and BBVA Compass Family Series packages are $85. Subscriber benefits include presale access to Symphony Specials and free ticket exchanges. Single tickets for fall and spring concert tickets will go on sale at a later date. For more information or to purchase, visit houstonsymphony.org or call the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at (713) 224-7575, Monday−Saturday, 12 p.m.−6 p.m.