Giving Houston and livestream audiences around the world a taste of what’s to come when he assumes the artistic leadership of the orchestra next season, Houston Symphony Music Director Designate Juraj Valčuha closes the 2021–2022 Season with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, capped by the justly famous, exuberant “Ode to Joy.” Valčuha and the orchestra are joined by the Houston Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, as well as soloists Meagan Miller, soprano; J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano; Eric Cutler, tenor; and Mark S. Doss, bass-baritone. Performance dates are May 20, 21, and 22, 2022 in Jones Hall, and the May 21 performance is livestreamed.
For his first concert as Music Director Designate of the Houston Symphony, Juraj Valčuha has chosen one of the most often performed and beloved works in the classical music canon, one that calls upon the full complement of the orchestra as well as a large chorus and vocal soloists. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is considered by many to be the apotheosis of the symphonic form. Its “Ode to Joy” has become an anthem embraced by the world as an emblem of brotherhood and freedom. It was the “Ode to Joy” that Leonard Bernstein conducted on Christmas Day 1989 to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall.
To open the concert, Valčuha leads the orchestra in Carlos Simon’s An Elegy─A Cry from the Grave. In Simon’s own words: “This piece is an artistic reflection dedicated to those who have been murdered wrongfully by an oppressive power; namely Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Michael Brown.”
For tickets and more information, please call 713.224.7575 or visit houstonsymphony.org/beethoven9. Livestream performances are available via a private link to ticket holders for $20. All programs and artists are subject to change.
This program is part of the Frost Gold Classics Series and the Spec’s End of Season Celebration. The classical series is endowed by the Wortham Foundation, Inc., in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham. Livestreaming of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by Barbara J. Burger and supported by The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation.
MUSIC DIRECTOR DESIGNATE JURAJ VALČUHA CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN 9
Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m.*
Sunday, May 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
Meagan Miller, soprano
J’Nai Bridges, mezzo-soprano
Eric Cutler, tenor
Mark S. Doss, bass-baritone
Houston Symphony Chorus
Betsy Cook Weber, director
- Simon: Elegy for Strings
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
*Livestreamed at 8 p.m. CT