Mercury Transverses American Music In Multimedia Concert, 1/14

Join a voyage through America's past in Mercury's next multimedia-infused concert American Skies on Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m. at the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater.

Artistic Director Antoine Plante and Director Denis Plante collaborate again to create a concert experience melding shadow dance, stunning images, and inspiring music, in a journey through America's ingenuity and innovation. The audience will travel from the Ice Age to the New World to Ellis Island with the growing iconic New York skyline, and will witness the thrilling tension of man's race towards sky and space from Wilbur and Orville Wright's first flight to NASA's mission to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Sure to be another audience-favorite, this dramatic concert features music inspired by America including works by Dvorák, Gershwin, Barber, and Glass.

This concert is made possible in part by the Houston Arts Alliance and the Houston Endowment.

The creator of last season's multimedia event "Bach and Piazzolla" and the 2014-2015 season's "The Crimson Prince of Venice", Denis Plante has long been a partner in Mercury's creative endeavors alongside his brother, Artistic Director Antoine Plante. His unusual career as a performer and composer has made him the premiere bandoneón artist in Canada, and an exceptional figure in contemporary tango on the world scene. Denis is frequently invited to perform as a soloist with symphony orchestras and chamber-music ensembles. A spiritual son of Astor Piazzolla, he has enriched the bandoneón repertoire with dozens of works capturing the essential pulse of the tango. He has recorded seven CDs of his work, composed two operas and a ballet, and has been awarded the title of Creator of the Year by Quebec's Art Council and an Opus prize for best Global album.

About Mercury

Founded in 2000, Mercury has a mission to serve the community by celebrating the power of music, Baroque and beyond, teaching, sharing and performing with passion, intimacy and excellence. The orchestra offers performances of a broad repertoire of music on period instruments and has garnered critical acclaim around the world through innovative and accessible performances, domestic and international tours, and groundbreaking music education programs.

What makes a Mercury performance unique?

Mercury musicians perform on period instruments similar in style and sound to those used by composers of the Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic periods. Differences between modern and period instruments can be seen in the string section where players use gut rather than steel strings and often utilize a Baroque bow that is shorter and more curved than a modern bow. Brass instruments have no valves and are more modest in shape than their modern equivalents, and the timpani drums utilize leather skins rather than synthetic heads. Perhaps the most recognizable differences can be seen in the woodwind section; these instruments have fewer keys and are actually crafted from wood as opposed to metal or plastic like many modern instruments. Mercury chooses to perform with period instruments to create a distinctive and exciting sound, true to the composer's intent. Mercury musicians also perform standing to better express the passion and vitality of the music. All of this provides a singular listening experience for our audience.

Mercury's AMERICAN SKIES is on Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m. at the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater. For more information, visit mercuryhouston.org or call 713-533-0080.

Photo Credit: Stefan Georgi