In this episode, Carlos and St. John explore Beethoven's Symphony No. 2. Written during the summer of 1802, Beethoven's Second Symphony is full of energy and high spirits despite the crisis Beethoven experienced while composing it: that summer, Beethoven realized he was going deaf.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 2

Carlos and St. John explore Beethoven's Symphony No. 8. Composed in 1812, Beethoven's playful Eighth Symphony looks back to the styles of Haydn and Mozart with nostalgia and humor. Also discussed is Beethoven's famous "Immortal Beloved" letter, a love letter to a mysterious woman that Beethoven wrote that summer.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 8

Discover Beethoven's heroic Symphony No. 3, a revolutionary work that changed the course of music history. Carlos and St. John explore the score and its political background, shedding light on Beethoven's ambivalent feelings toward Napoleon, a would-be hero turned tyrant.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, Eroica

In this episode, Carlos and St.John take on Beethoven's legendary Ninth Symphony. Often praised as the greatest symphony ever written, this groundbreaking work features an unprecedented choral finale and the famous "Ode to Joy."

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Choral

Sex, drugs and classical music: Berlioz' Symphonie fantastique has it all! Discover how the beautiful Irish actress Harriet Smithson nearly drove Hector Berlioz mad—and inspired one of the most imaginative symphonies ever written.

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Growing up is tough, especially if you're a German-speaking Jewish kid from Bohemia trying to make it as a composer in the 1880s. Discover how the young Mahler's passions—for nature, philosophy and a married woman—inspired his first symphonic masterpiece.

Mahler: Symphony No. 1

New to classical music? Want to introduce your friends, family or children to Bach, Beethoven and Brahms? Let Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz be your guide as he shows us how to really listen, not just to classical music, but to the whole world around us. Plus, discover the surprising benefits of active listening for young minds.

Listening to Classical

There's more to Handel's Messiah than the "Hallelujah" Chorus. Learn how Handel created a masterpiece that "fed the hungry, clothed the naked" and changed music history forever. From the overture to the final "Amen," this cherished Christmas tradition will leave you singing Hallelujah for Handel!

Handel: Messiah

What does it mean to truly be yourself? How do you take classical music and make it your own? In this episode, find out Mussorgsky’s answers with Pictures at an Exhibition. Made famous through Maurice Ravel's colorful orchestration of the original piano suite, this masterpiece was inspired by the artworks of Victor Hartmann, a friend of Mussorgsky's who suffered a tragic early death. One of the most popular orchestral works, Pictures at an Exhibition is a tribute to the power of art and friendship to withstand the test of time.

Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition

MISSION
The mission of the Houston Symphony is to inspire and engage a large and diverse audience in Greater Houston and beyond through exceptional orchestral and non-orchestral performances, educational programs and community activities.

VISION
In 2025, the Houston Symphony will be America’s most relevant and accessible top-ten orchestra.

VALUES
Excellence: Committed to the highest level of artistic, administrative, board and volunteer quality and performance

Community Engagement: Foster meaningful experiences with our patrons and community

Education: Promote learning opportunities for listeners and students of all ages

Innovation: Pioneer and implement new and creative ideas in our work

Relevance: Provide musical performances and resources that enhance the lives of our stakeholders and community

Financial Sustainability: Responsibly invest in our present and dutifully plan for our future

Inclusivity: Embrace and promote diversity across all levels of our organization

Collaboration: Approach relationships with a spirit of respect and interconnectedness

 

Vision 2025: A Strategic Plan for Transformational Change
Through a yearlong process in 2014 that drew on the expertise of over four dozen members of the Houston Symphony’s board, orchestra, staff and community members, our organizational goals have been refined to reflect the values we hold most dear and the organization we wish to become.

Learn more about our future plans in our 2025 Houston Symphony Strategic Plan.

Houston Symphony

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