Houston Symphony Presents Free Fiesta Sinfonica, 9/18

The Houston Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada present the Symphony's 24th annual free Fiesta Sinfónica concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Jones Hall.

With support from Chevron and United Airlines, the program features Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Michel Camilo. Born in the Dominican Republic and trained at Juilliard, Camilo moves with ease between jazz, Latin, world beat and classical music. He will perform Gershwin's jazz-style piano concerto Rhapsody in Blue in a program of Latin American rhythms in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The program also includes colorful classics by Bernstein and Ginastera's Danzas del Ballet Estancia, as well as América Salvaje, a recent work by acclaimed Peruvian composer Jimmy Lopez, whose works have been performed by leading orchestras around the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony and Radio France Philharmonic.

América Salvaje is based upon the poem "Blasón" by Peruvian poet José Santos Chocano. The symphonic poem aims at reflecting Peru's multicultural roots. The cluster of sounds featured in the piece is an ambitious attempt to reflect the richness and complexity of Peruvian musical heritage. In addition to the millenary Andean instruments, such as the ocarinas, pututos and water whistles, traditional symphony orchestra instruments are used in nontraditional techniques.

The Andean instruments will be performed by band and orchestra students of Waltrip and Conroe High School, which are two of the eight schools that were selected to participate in an intensive yearlong residency for band and orchestra students. Houston Symphony musicians will coach and mentor these students over the 2016-17 academic year both on campus and at rehearsals and concerts at Jones Hall.

The concert is generously supported by the Chevron, United Airlines, Univision 45 and Más Variedad 106.5 FM. FREE tickets for the event may be picked up at the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center, 615 Louisiana Street, Monday - Saturday (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) while supplies last. Limit of 6 tickets per person. For more information, please call (713) 224-7575.

FIESTA SINFÓNICA

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, 8 p.m. at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ($20)
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, 6 p.m. at Jones Hall (free)

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
Michel Camilo, piano

Bernstein/Peress: Overture to West Side Story

Gershwin/Grofé: Rhapsody in Blue

J. López: America Salvaje

Ginastera: Danzas del Ballet Estancia

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