MUSIC

The 21st Annual Immanuel and Helen Olshan TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL (TMF) presents its FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Celebratory Opening, Saturday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moores Opera House, University of Houston.

The program features Franz Anton Krager (of Houston), conductor, Leonel Morales, piano soloist (Spain) and Jesus Morales (pictured, resident of Mexico since 1992), marimba soloist (they are brothers who were born in Cuba). They will perform (with Texas Music Festival Orchestra) A WORLD PREMIERE OF PETER LIEUWEN'S CONCERTO FOR PIANO, MARIMBA AND ORCHESTRA.

Franz Anton Krager,*  Conductor - Director of Orchestras, Moores School of Music; Music Director & Chief Conductor, Texas Music Festival; artistic director, Virtuosi of Houston; former music director, Brazos Valley Symphony & Sinfonietta; guest conductor, Houston Symphony, Russian State Symphony, Romanian & Kazan State Philharmonics, Grosseto Symphony Orchestra (Italy), Orchestra-of-the-Swan & Chetham's Symphony Orchestra (UK), Symphony Orchestra of Berlin, Akademisches Orchester Leipzig, Honolulu & Florida West Coast Symphonies, Riverside Philharmonic (CA); Lichfield & Aberystwyth International Arts Festivals (UK); Lunatica & Pianomaster Music Festivals (Italy); Interlochen (USA); recordings, Albany Records.

Jesus Morales, marimba - Jesus Morales is one of the most renowned Cuban marimbists. Born into a family of musicians, Mr. Morales began playing the marimba professionally at the age of six. Mr. Morales is known not only for his artistic mastery of the marimba, but also for his counterpoint creations achieved through technical exercises and resources, transforming the marimba into a polyphonic instrument of unimaginable heights. A resident of Mexico since 1992, Mr. Morales has appeared as a soloist with the National Symphonic Orchestra, Cuba and Coyoacàn Symphonic Orchestra, Mexico, among others. He is the recipient of numerous awards and prizes, including the National Cultural Award and the Havana Medal from The Cuban Ministry of Culture.

Leonel Morales, piano - With the perfect combination of extraordinary gifts, technique, talent and inspiration, Leonel Morales is widely recognized as one of today's most brilliant and successful pianists. He shows the beauty of sound with an assured technique and great dynamics that never pass the limits. (La Libre Belgique) Cuban-born Morales now resides in Spain, performing music by great Spanish composers with orchestras across Europe. In addition to his performances, Morales is often invited to participate as a jury member for many international piano competitions and is president of the jury for the International Piano Competition "Spanish Composers" that takes place annually in Madrid. www.leonelmorales.com

* University of Houston faculty member.

Scheduled Program:

 Lieuwen Concerto for Piano, Marimba, and Orchestra
 Ravel La valse
 Respighi Feste romane