MUSIC

On March 11, Music Director Hans Graf (pictured) and the Houston Symphony bring a free performance of Anton Bruckner’s magnificent Seventh Symphony to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This occasion marks the second performance that the orchestra has given at the cathedral; the last time was in May 2008 as one of the events tied to the newly-built cathedral’s opening ceremonies. The upcoming free performance will be general admission only.

Performing outside of Jones Hall is not uncommon, but Music Director Hans Graf holds special anticipation for this performance in this venue, "A concert hall is usually seen as the only venue for the presentation of classical music. Yet there is music which is aiming beyond the "normal" concert experience. Some music is transcendent, especially Bruckner's Symphonies who seem to reach their full range of majestic beauty in the immensity of a sacral room - like in a cathedral. We will have an unforgettable experience at our concert at the impressive and beautiful Co-Cathedral and we are grateful to be given this opportunity."

The Houston Symphony regularly partners with neighboring organizations and is an enthusiastic supporter of bringing classical music outside of the concert hall and into all corners of the Houston community. “One of our main goals is to be an exciting community partner by performing great music around the city. This is our second opportunity to perform a free concert at the Co-Cathedral. We feel honored and look forward to bringing this incredible symphonic work to this terrific acoustic space that will enhance the performance. It will be a concert that listeners will not want to miss”, said Houston Symphony General Manager Steven Brosvik.

For more information on this performance, please contact the Houston Symphony Customer Service Center at 713-224-7575 Monday through Saturday 10AM - 6PM. You may also visit the Co-Cathedral’s web site at www.sacredhearthouston.org.  

Thursday, March 11, 2010, 7:30PM
Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 7
Hans Graf, conductor

Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
1111 St. Joseph Parkway
Houston, TX 77002

FREE ADMISSION

About Hans Graf
Known for his wide range of repertoire and creative programming, Hans Graf, the Houston Symphony’s 15th music director, is one of today's most highly respected musicians. He began his tenure in Houston on Opening Night of the 2001-2002 season. Hans Graf is a frequent guest with all of the major North American orchestras and conducts in the foremost concert halls of Europe, Japan and Australia. He has appeared with the Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, as well as with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic. He was awarded the Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria in 2007 and France’s Chevalier de l’ordre de la Legion d’Honneur in 2002. Maestro Graf and his wife, Margarita, have homes in Salzburg and Houston.

About the Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony has played a central role in Houston’s cultural and civic life since 1913. Each year, the Symphony performs approximately 170 concerts for more than 350,000 Houstonians. For tickets and more information regarding the 2009-10 season or the upcoming 2010-11 season, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org  or call 713-224-7575.