MUSIC

The Houston Symphony presents John Williams and Rachmaninoff.

An audience favorite, the Houston Symphony will perform the enchanting music of celebrated composer John Williams accompanied by the grand music of Rachmaninoff on April 2, 4, 5, 2009. Beloved guest conductor, Peter Oundjian will return to conduct the orchestra with featured soloist, William VerMeulen, the Houston Symphony Principal Horn player.

Creator of the now annual Mozart Festival and the New Creations Festival, Oundjian last appeared with the Houston Symphony in 2006 and currently serves as Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the Detroit Symphony. VerMeulen has been principal horn player with the Houston Symphony since 1990 and holds the post of Professor of Horn at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

The body of this program showcases John Williams’ life-long love of the horn. His concerto, which was written while he was completing the music to the third Harry Potter film, renders sounds and images of a forest night and a spirited hunter’s chase in the various movements - Angelus, The Battle of the Trees, Pastorale, The Hunt and Nocturne. Following the concerto is his Celebration Fanfare which was commissioned by the Houston Symphony in 1986 for the sesquicentennial of Texas and the city of Houston. Closing the program, the orchestra will perform the music of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances which aim to haunt and thrill.

Prelude, sponsored by Fluor, begins 50 minutes before each concert. Discover the melding of medieval and modern music in Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis with Houston Symphony violist Thomas Molloy.

Conductor: Peter Oundjian
Guests: William VerMeulen (pictured), horn

Programs:
Vaughn Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
John Williams: Concerto for Horn and Orchestra
John Williams: Celebration Fanfare
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances