Saturday (1/21) on Culture Map Houston, Joel Luks writes, “During the last 12 years, the Houston art scene has seen its share of changes. At the Houston Symphony, the one constant was standing on the podium. Music director Hans Graf is the longest-serving maestro in the history of the city’s premier classical ensemble, longer than beloved Christoph Eschenbach by one year. … The 2012-13 season is maestro Graf’s last and the symphony’s 99th. As such, ‘Graf’s Farewell: A Grand Finale Season’ is composed of a memorable theme nodding to the conductor’s many meaningful on-stage moments, including favorite works, innovative programming and artistically rewarding works. … ‘Opening Night Showcase’ spotlights Ravel’s Bolero, a work that has exposed solos for everyone in the symphony, from the first opening flute tune, to the sexy sax to the raucous sliding trombones, alongside solo works performed by non-principal musicians, like flutists John Thorne and Judy Dines, clarinetist Thomas LeGrand and violinists Alexandra Adkins and Sophia Silivos. … The Houston Symphony will continue its Access series following the successful debut of the interactive format last year with NPR’s Morning Edition music savant Miles Hoffman. During these informal concerts, audiences attend a pre-concert mixer, a one-hour program and engage in a post-concert conversation with the artists.”
Photo by Christian Steiner
Posted January 24, 2012
