French Pianist Lise De La Salle Makes Houston Symphony Debut This Weekend

Conductor Laureate Hans Graf returns to Houston this weekend, February 20-22, 2015, to lead internationally-acclaimed pianist Lise de la Salle in Graf Conducts Schumann where she will perform Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2.

Inspired by the Rhineland and majestic Cologne Cathedral in Germany, Schumann's Symphony No. 3, Rhenish, marks Graf's return to Houston following his 12-year tenure as the Houston Symphony's music director. "Surely I've spent the greatest years of my musical life here in Houston," the conductor said in one of his final concerts.

Graf will be joined on stage by French pianist Lise de la Salle as she performs Saint-Säens' Piano Concerto No. 2. A rising star in classical music, The New York Times describes her as "eminently musical," offering depth as well as virtuosity. Lise de la Salle started playing the piano at the age of four and gave her first concert, broadcast live by Radio France, when she was nine. In just a few years, she has developed an impressive international career performing in major concert halls of Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

A free Prelude pre-concert discussion led by Houston Symphony principal trumpet Mark Hughes will be held 45 minutes prior to each concert at Jones Hall. Hughes will provide insight on what it takes to play Hindemith's Konzertmusik for Strings and Brass.