SPECIAL EVENTS

For the second year in a row, the Houston Symphony will present a classical music festival open to music lovers of all ages. On Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 2009, The Bach vs. Vivaldi Experience will offer classical music programming from two great Baroque composers, Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi, at Houston Baptist University’s new Joella and Stewart Morris Cultural Arts Center.

Highlights from this extraordinary two-day festival include many unique opportunities:

 Listen to all six Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations and the Magnificat alongside Vivaldi’s jewel-like concertos.

 Treat children to The Baroque Bowl, the premiere showdown between costumed Bach and Vivaldi characters; instrument petting zoos and youth performances of early keyboard works.

 Experience the heritage of the two composers by sampling German and Italian food and beverages – served all day in Café Baroque.

 Learn more about Bach vs. Vivaldi through exhibits and activities

WHEN:
Friday, March 27 and Saturday March 28
For a complete listing of times and events, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org .

March 27, 2009:
7:00 PM Harpsichord vs. Piano: Comparing Bach’s Italian Concerto in a lecture performance

8:00 PM Brandenburg 2 and 5
Hans Graf, conductor

Bach: Brandenburg Concert No. 2
Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord

March 28, 2009:
11:00 AM The Baroque Bowl
Brett Mitchell, conductor
For families with children ages 4-11
The Venice Red Hairs take on the Leipzig White Hairs for the musical championship of the era.
Pre-concert activities for children begin at 10 AM.
Pre-concert activities include Instrument Petting Zoo and youth performances of early keyboard works; including the Anna Magdalena Notebook.

2:00 PM The Red Priest vs. the Cantor of Leipzig
Discussion with performance
What made the music of Bach and Vivaldi so compelling? Learn about their ideas—then hear those ideas come to life in their music.

3:30 PM Brandenburg 4 and 6 & Vivaldi Gloria
Hans Graf, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus

6:00 PM Goldberg Variations
Hearing the Variations live is a delightful pilgrimage every music-lover should make. Enjoy Bach at his most sophisticated and most charming.

7:30 PM Brandenburg 1 & Magnificat
Hans Graf, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1
Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Bach: Magnificat
 

WHERE:
Houston Baptist University 7502 Fondren Road Houston, TX 77074

COST:
Prices range from $12 to $35 for Single Tickets PowerPass (admittance to all performances) - $150 per person, $300 per family of four.

MORE INFO: Visit www.houstonsymphony.org  or call (713) 224-7575.