MUSIC

The Houston Symphony presents Respighi’s Pines of Rome.  Performances of Respighi’s Pines of Rome and Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 will conclude the Houston Symphony’s 2008-2009 Fidelity Investments Classical Series on May 14, 16, 17, 2009. Russian violinist Eugene Ugorski will perform Paganini’s concerto under Maestro Hans Graf’s baton.

At only 20 years of age, Ugorski is already a coveted soloist around the world. He made his debut with the San Diego Symphony at only eight years old and has since performed with leading orchestras in Western Europe, Russia, North and South America and the Far East. He’s a popular guest at the Rotterdam Philharmonic and his future engagements include concerts at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and a tour of the Netherlands with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. This performance will mark his Houston Symphony debut.

Pines of Rome is one of three symphonic poems by Respighi. It attempts to give an illustrative glance at ancient Rome through the eyes and ears of centuries-old pine trees. Its four movements portray the various locations throughout Rome in which to hear the sights and sounds of the city; a walk through history with colorful “scenes” of children playing in the villa, monks chanting in old temples, and Roman soldiers on a march.  Colorful and evocative, The Pines of Rome will spur your imagination with images of the Borghese Gardens filled with children playing, a Roman temple under the stars and a Roman legion’s thundering march along the Appian Way.

Prelude, sponsored by Fluor, begins 50 minutes before each concert. Explore the ground-breaking techniques behind Italian structures that inspired Respighi.

Conductor: Hans Graf
Guests: Eugene Ugorski (pictured), violin

Programs:
Rossini: Overture to La scala di seta
Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1 Puccini: Preludio sinfonico
Respighi: The Pines of Rome