Houston Symphony Launches At-Home Livestream Recital Series

This week, the Houston Symphony launches its new Living Room Series-hour-long livestream recitals by the world-class musicians of the Houston Symphony, Friday nights at 8 p.m.

Streamed online via a private link to ticket holders, each livestreamed recital spotlights an individual Houston Symphony musician, and in some cases, musician members of their household, performing at home.

"The Houston Symphony is made up of 88 incredible musicians," said Houston Symphony Executive Director, CEO, and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum. "Since we can't perform live in Jones Hall, we thought a series of live, online recitals would be a great way to enjoy their artistry and creativity. These intimate home performances will allow audiences to get to experience them in a way that you can't in the context of our orchestral concerts."

These recitals reflect the personalities of the individual musicians, bringing the audience into their homes to hear performances curated by them. This lends the Living Room Series a colorful and wide variety to its programming. Each concert also features remarks by that week's musician, and concludes with a Q&A from audience members.

Principal Keyboard Scott Holshouser kicks off the series this Friday, May 1, performing a recital from his home along with his son, vocalist Sean Holshouser. The evening's program includes music from Chopin, Mozart, Schumann, Debussy, and an improvisation on Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

Houston Symphony Principal Clarinet Mark Nuccio is up next on May 8. He'll perform a transcription of Bach's Chromatic Fantasy for Piano, two short pieces by Debussy, and several solo clarinet showpieces in an homage to Richard Strauss. Nuccio selected pieces from different regions of the world in hopes that the audience may be inspired to pair their favorite wines, spirits, or cuisine with each piece.

May 15, Principal Cello Brinton Averil Smith is joined by his pianist wife and frequent collaborator Evelyn Chen, and his vocalist daughter Calista, for a selection of short works inspired by the recordings of the legendary cellist Emanuel Feuermann. Composers on the program include Albéniz, Sarasate, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Handel.

And on May 22, Associate Principal Viola Joan DerHovsepian is joined by her husband, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra Bassist Erik Gronfor, as well as their violinist daughter Clara in a program that includes works for solo viola from the Baroque to the Romantic periods, as well as a duo for viola and bass, and several short pieces for the family trio.

Each week's performance is now on sale for $10 online at houstonsymphony.org, and those who purchase tickets will receive a private link to enjoy the live performance in the comfort of their own home. The Symphony encourages fans to consider purchasing multiple tickets to share as gifts for concert-goers to remotely enjoy with family and friends.

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