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Category Archives: Staff
A Seemingly Impossible Beginning to a Glorious Finale
By: Aurelie Desmarais
Senior Director, Artistic Planning
Houston Symphony
When the calm of a beautiful morning was shattered on September 11, 2001, it seemed that all normal activity would cease. It was impossible to imagine that regular life would, or could, continue. Yet in the aftermath of this history-altering day, the instinct to move forward prevailed.
The Opening Night concert and post-concert dinner was a balm to all. The collective experience of sharing that concert reminded everyone in attendance of the power of music to soothe, to heal, and to inspire optimism for the future. From the opening moments of that first concert, through a remarkable twelve year tenure, Hans will conclude his time as Music Director with two performances of the Mahler Resurrection Symphony on May 17 and 18, 2013. Resurrection is music that speaks to the soul about the human journey–full of joy, tribulation, longing and the quest for redemption. Hans will close his tenure, as he opened it, on a note of hope for the future.
Senior Director, Artistic Planning
Houston Symphony
Photo credit: Bruce Bennett
Obstacles, though seemingly trivial in the face of such tragedy, did abound. The first concert for Hans Graf as Music Director of the Houston Symphony took place on September 15, 2001, just 4 days after the terrorist attacks. All air traffic was grounded and it seemed that there would be no way to get Hans from Calgary to Houston in time for the Opening Night concert, let alone the rehearsals that preceded it.
Through creativity, persistence and lots of phone calls made by an industrious intern, we were able to locate a private plane that had been en route to Calgary, but was grounded at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. Once air traffic was cleared to start again on September 13th, the first priority was given to flights that had been in progress. The private plane resumed its journey up to Calgary and, for its return trip, Margarita and Hans Graf were the passengers. At around midnight on September 13th, I received a call from Hans to assure me that he was safely on the ground in Houston!
Photo credit: Bruce Bennett
-Aurelie Desmarais
In the video below, Aurelie Desmarais, Senior Director of Artistic Planning, speaks about Maestro Graf’s final month of concerts as Houston Symphony Music Director:
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Known for his wide range of repertoire and creative programming, distinguished Austrian conductor Hans Graf is the Houston Symphony’s 15th Music Director and is its longest serving music director. As one of today’s most highly respected musicians, he is a frequent guest with all of the major North American orchestras, and regularly conducts in the foremost concert halls of Europe, Japan and Australia.
Maestro Hans Graf will conduct the Houston Symphony in his final concerts as Music Director on May 17 and 18. Ending his 12-year tenure, Graf will celebrate with the orchestra, staff and patrons in a grand performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection.
Click here for more information and tickets.
The preceding weekend, May 9, 11 and 12, 2013, Maestro Graf will lead the orchestra in it’s final classical subscription concert of the season, featuring Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with guest pianist Janina Fialkowska, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica.
Click here for more information and tickets.
Watch a video tribute to Maestro Graf, which is being shown before each of the concerts during his final month as Houston Symphony Music Director:
Posted in 2012-2013 season, Classical, Conductors and Musicians, Houston Symphony Chorus, Specials, Staff
Tagged A Graf Farewell, Aurelie Desmarais, classical, classical music, conductor, Hans Graf, Houston, houston symphony, houston symphony chorus, houston symphony orchestra, Janina Fialkowski, Jones Hall, Maestro, Maestro Graf, mahler, mozart, music, musicians, orchestra, Piano
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Blog Series: In Vienna w/ KTRK TV & Andrés Orozco-Estrada — Post #3
Mark Hanson, Houston Symphony’s Executive Director/CEO, reports from Vienna:
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
Following a very full first day in Vienna described in my first two postings, we have had the opportunity to explore Vienna’s rich musical history for a series of TV stories that will spotlight both the Houston Symphony’s upcoming centennial celebration and the appointment of Andrés Orozco-Estrada as our 16th music director. Wanting to better understand what had drawn Andrés to Vienna in the first place, the TV crew toured Vienna on Saturday afternoon and captured footage of prominent monuments that celebrate Vienna’s inspired past. Crowds flocked with us to Mozart’s statue in the Imperial Palace gardens, but we happened to be the only visitors to one of Beethoven’s former apartments across the street from the University of Vienna. Outside of the city, we paid homage to a few members of the pantheon of music – Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Schoenberg – at their monumental tombstones in Vienna’s Central Cemetery.
Sunday brought beautiful sunshine and the sounds of the Vienna City Marathon to this music capital. While the TV crew attempted to climb the Stephansdom’s spire for an elevated view of the city, I snapped a picture of this landmark from street level. If you look closely at the bottom right corner of my photo, you will see one of many Tonkünstler Orchester posters displayed throughout the city that feature their current music director (and our incoming maestro!). Back inside the Musikverein, I enjoyed an afternoon Tonkünstler concert and marveled at Andrés’ endurance and spontaneity. Several dynamics and phrases were noticeably different from Friday night’s performance and the concert had the feeling of a world premiere. Quite a stunning feat given that the program, as I’ve mentioned previously, was all-Mozart. 
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
As I await my flight home to Houston, I am fondly recalling highlights from the final 48 hours of my visit to Vienna with a crew from our official television partner KTRK, Channel 13.
Mozart statue in the Imperial Palace gardens
Johann Strauss statue in Stadtpark
Earlier on Saturday, the TV crew returned to the Musikverein to see Andrés rehearsing that evening’s Tonkünstler Orchester program. Channel 13′s Gina Gaston helped Andrés cope with his strenuous schedule (two different all-Mozart programs rehearsed and performed over a 36-hour period) by sharing some yoga stretches before continuing their interview from the day before. Following the driving tour, I enjoyed Verdi’s opera Don Carlos at the Staatoper while remembering Andrés’ moving story, told to Gina earlier that day, about his first concert experiences in Vienna at the age of 18. One can’t help but be inspired by Vienna’s musical history and everyday performances in its many stunning performance halls.
Marathon Route
Stephansdom
On our walk to Stadtpark to meet up with Andrés wife, Julia, and daughter, Laura, following the concert, Gina Gaston asked us about the Houston Symphony’s role as a cultural ambassador and about the virtues and pitfalls associated with outdoor parks concerts. While strolling through Stadtpark, Andrés and Julia shared stories with Gina about their courtship and busy life together in Vienna. Both demonstrated command of Houston’s landmarks and traditions by reciting sections of the children’s book “Goodnight Houston”, a gift brought over during a prior trip.
With the television cameras and lights turned off for the weekend, Andrés expressed his thanks to our Channel 13 friends and rolled up his sleeves for an evening of fruitful discussions with me about the Houston Symphony’s exciting future, a future that owes a debt of gratitude to Vienna’s prominent role in the development of classical music and seeks to build upon Vienna’s remarkable history of cultural achievement.
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
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- Andrés, wife Julia and daughter Laura
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- Baby Laura Orozco-Estrada!
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- Beethoven statue across the street from the Konzerthaus
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- One of Beethoven’s many apartment dwellings
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- Beethoven’s tombstone
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- Schubert’s tombstone
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- Brahms’s tombstone
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- Street festival outside of City Hall
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- Musikverein
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- Staatoper
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- Andrés and Gina doing Yoga stretches before Saturday’s interview at the Musikverein
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- Gina Gaston interviews Andrés at the Musikverein
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- Final goodbyes overlooking the Konzerthaus
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- One of many posters throughout the city promoting the upcoming Tonkünstler season
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- Mozart statue in the Imperial Palace gardens
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- Johann Strauss statue in Stadtpark
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- Marathon Route
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- Stephansdom
Posted in 2013 Vienna Trip, Classical, Conductors and Musicians, Staff
Tagged 2013 Vienna Trip, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, classical, classical music, Houston, houston symphony, houston symphony orchestra, Mark Hanson, music, Music Director, Music Director Designate, musicians, orchestra
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Blog Series: In Vienna w/ KTRK TV & Andrés Orozco-Estrada — Post #2
Mark Hanson, Houston Symphony’s Executive Director/CEO, continues his report from Vienna, following an evening concert led by our new Music Director Designate: [To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
The all-Mozart program was beautiful and gave us a real sense of what to expect when Andrés conducts the Jupiter Symphony with the Houston Symphony in January, 2014 at Jones Hall. There was a palpable sense of excitement throughout both the sold-out audience and the orchestra itself. The Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich played with precision and emotion while the two woodwind soloists demonstrated tremendous command of their respective instruments in two Mozart concertos.
Following the concert, KTRK Channel 13′s Gina Gaston interviewed soloist François Leleux and several members of the Tonkünstler backstage and captured their fondness for and admiration of Andrés on video. Before the concert, I engaged in a round of shuttle diplomacy as we endeavored to modify our concert videotaping plan to abide by some last minute requests from Musikverein officials. As you can see from the group photo with Andrés at the end of the evening, everything fell into place and all of us had big smiles on our faces following an inspirational concert in Vienna. We are back to the Musikverein in the morning to capture video of Andrés conducting a dress rehearsal for tomorrow night’s different all-Mozart program. In between the rehearsal and concert, the Channel 13 crew and I will tour Vienna with a guide to learn about Vienna’s prominent role in the development of classical music. My only regret this evening is that this Vienna trip is preventing me from experiencing Houston Symphony performances of Debussy’s La Mer under the direction of music director Hans Graf. Reports from last night’s concert indicate that we’ve missed another memorable performance in Hans’ final two months as our music director. [To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
Wow! We have just returned to our hotel following an exciting and memorable Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert at the Musikverein under the direction of our incoming music director Andrés Orozco-Estrada.
Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Tonkünstler Orchester following tonight’s concert at the Musikverein
KTRK Channel 13′s Gina Gaston interviewing principal flute Walter Schober
Tonight’s Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert program
Andrés Orozco-Estrada with KTRK’s Kim Nordt-Jackson, Andre Dorsey, Raul Carmona and Gina Gaston
Andrés Orozco-Estrada with Mark Hanson
Blog Series: In Vienna w/ KTRK TV & Andrés Orozco-Estrada — Post #1
Mark Hanson, Houston Symphony’s Executive Director/CEO, reports from Vienna:
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
Already today, Gina has interviewed Andrés at the Musikverein following his morning dress rehearsal. Following this hour-long interview, we all walked onto stage to scope out camera positions that will be used during this evening’s Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert. Andrés is happily allowing the crew to affix a small wide-lens video camera to his music stand throughout the all-Mozart concert. This camera view is unbelievable as it captures both Andrés’ expressive conducting and the Musikverein’s ornate ceiling. Channel 13 cameraman, Raul, will be positioned at the rear of the hall in the standing room only section, while cameraman, Andre, will be standing just behind the first violins on stage! Gina, Channel 13′s Kim Nordt-Jackson and I will be seated in the audience cheering on our incoming maestro.
Earlier in the day, we spent several hours at Vienna’s mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts visiting with faculty and current conducting students, all of whom are extremely proud of their alumnus Andrés Orozco-Estrada. At the age of 18, Andrés moved from his native Colombia to study conducting at the University. Without knowing a word of German, he quickly made a big impression on his teachers and fellow students. (The TV crew and I get to spend time with one of his classmates – his wife Julia – on Sunday evening.) Today, Gina interviewed Ulrike Sych, the University’s Vice Rector of Academic Affairs and the Advancement of Women, and Andrea Kleibel, the University’s Vice Rector of International and Public Relations. Professor Sych shared memories of when Andrés was one of her voice students! Raul and Andre also captured video footage of a conducting class in session.
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
I am writing from Vienna, Austria, where I have joined up with a television crew from our official television partner KTRK Channel 13. The TV crew, which includes anchor Gina Gaston, has travelled all of this way to spend several days with our Music Director Designate Andrés Orozco-Estrada.
Gina Gaston interviewing Andrés Orozco-Estrada inside the Musikverein.
Sign outside Vienna’s mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts.
Following a lunch of weinerschnitzel and potato salad, we have all returned to our hotel to rest before this evening’s Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert. The crew will be in their concert positions by the time the audience is allowed into the hall at 7 pm. We are all most excited about hearing Andrés’ interpretation of Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, a work that Andrés will conduct with the Houston Symphony in January, 2014.
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].
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- Sign outside Vienna’s mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
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- Channel 13′s Gina Gaston taping a promo spot on the stage of Vienna’s Musikverein
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- Gina Gaston interviewing Andrés Orozco-Estrada inside the Musikverein.
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- mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
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- Mark Hanson, Vice Rector for Academics Ulrike Sych, Kim Nordt-Jackson, Gina Gaston at the University of Music and Performing Arts
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- Channel 13′s Raul and Andre capturing the action during a conducting class.
An Interview With A Legend of Zelda Fanatic
When I first heard that we might be presenting The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, I think I leapt out of my chair and proclaimed that we HAD to do it! You see, I’ve loved video games for a very long time and the Zelda series is one of my all time favorites. Also, my dear husband Ted is a huge fan, and I knew he would love to see the concert. Over the weekend I sat down with Ted to do a quick interview to showcase our nerdy love for the series and get some insight as to what makes Zelda such a beloved title in the gaming universe.
Ted: Nah, Zelda 2 was that weird side-scrolling/RPG one on the NES. A Link to the Past was on the Super Nintendo. The SNES was my favorite system and A Link to the Past was probably my favorite game on it. It just had a sense of scale that I’d never seen in a game, you’d run across stuff you couldn’t get to yet, but you knew something was over there and you just hadn’t achieved enough to get there…
Ted: Nintendo is good at making characters with broad, lasting appeal. Compared to Sony or Microsoft a lot of the people gaming today grew up with these characters. Link has always been a voiceless perspective character that lets the player take on his identity in the game. Who doesn’t want to feel like they are the simple kid destined to be a hero that rescues the princess and saves the kingdom?
Meredith: The Legend of Zelda series features many titles spanning over 25 years. What is your first Zelda memory?
Ted: I definitely remember the first Zelda on NES and how it was pretty noteworthy in that it was one of the only cartridges at the time that had a battery and could actually save your progress. So it was one of the first epic-feeling games I’d played since you actually stop at part of your adventure and then pick it up the next day. I think I was 5 or 6 when it came out. I remember being very envious of my cousins because they were so much better at it.
Meredith: Yeah we were pretty young when the first game debuted. Honestly I never gave it much thought – I was focused on Super Mario Bros. I do remember going to a friend’s house and watching her older brother play Zelda and thinking it was neat. Which is your favorite title of the series?
Ted: Zelda 3: A Link to the Past.
Meredith: 2 or 3? I thought A Link to the Past was the second one.
Ted at age 9 getting his SNES for Christmas
Meredith: So it was the ultimate big adventure?
Ted: Yeah. Plus when it first came out I had to go to my cousin’s house to play, so it was fun to hang out with the ‘cool’ teenagers. I have a lot of great memories because of the game. What’s your favorite?
Meredith: Hands down Ocarina of Time. It was the first one I really put an effort into playing. I didn’t really give the other ones a chance because I thought it was too much of a “boy” series. The only reason I tried Ocarina was because I heard that you played an instrument in the game. I don’t recall a game before Ocarina that allowed you to play an instrument by assigning tones to the various buttons on your controller. I know Super Mario Bros. 3 had a “flute” but you didn’t really play it. I guess Ocarina appealed to the music geek in me, and then I quickly fell in love with the whole game and continued to play the other games in the series.
Ted: Yeah, that’s a good example of Nintendo’s emphasis on the significance of a game’s soundtrack. I think Zelda and Final Fantasy do the best job of creating a musical landscape that really enhances gameplay.
Meredith: I completely agree. What is your favorite musical moment from the series?
Ted: I know a lot of people would say it, but the Overworld theme is my favorite. It’s very energetic; it’s the music that sort of signals the start of your adventure. The Animal Village from Link’s Awakening is good too. Oh and the title music to Ocarina of Time was pretty awesome; hearing that for the first time Christmas morning of ’98 was pretty sweet.
Meredith: So basically too many to choose from?
Ted: Something like that. I think the music is a big part of the sense of adventure. Any epic has to have an appropriate soundtrack.
Meredith: Why do you think the gaming community has been so faithful to the franchise?
Ted and Meredith hamming it up in a photo booth
Meredith: And finally, why should people come to this concert?
Ted: Because Zelda games are usually such a singular experience and it’d be a shame not to share that appreciation with some like-minded people and to just see the broad spectrum of ages and people that love the franchise. We know the music is great; add that in with a great orchestra and I think everyone is in for a treat.
For more information on The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, CLICK HERE!
