River Oaks CO achieves liftoff with premiere of celestial erhu concerto Mon Feb 10, 2020 at 11:42 am By Steven Brown When the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra commissioned Kevin Lau to write a concerto for erhu, the two-stringed Chinese instrument, he sidestepped the obvious approach. Rather than seek inspiration in the music or culture of…
Of two worlds: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Kevin Lau
This Saturday, we’re so excited to welcome back a returning collaborator for ROCO’s 90th world premiere commission – composer Kevin Lau! In this edition of ROCOInsider, we chatted with Kevin to learn more about the out-of-this-world inspiration for his newest work, “Between the Earth and Forever,” and what it’s like writing for the exotic instrument it features, the Chinese erhu. It all started with an iconic image from space – read on to hear how it captured his imagination, sparking a musical fusion of east and west!
ROCO’s Debut Album Visions Take Flight Earns Grammy Nod | Houston Press
ROCO isn’t playing around — and they’ve got the street cred to prove it. Fresh off releasing its debut album, Visions Take Flight, ROCO’s recording producer Blanton Alspaugh earned a nomination from Grammy voters in the “Producer of the Year, Classical” category. The album was conducted by the Houston-based chamber orchestra’s artistic partner Mei-Ann Chen, and the gratitude marks Alspaugh’s ninth nomination in the category and his 22nd nomination overall.
Saved by music: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Bruce Adolphe
The first in a triptych of works honoring women musicians of the Holocaust, Bruce Adolphe’s “I Too Bleed, and Hope for Beauty” explores the incredible story of Alma Rosé – credited with saving the lives of 48 women through her leadership of the women’s orchestra of Auschwitz. Discover how even in the most unimaginable circumstances, music has an enduring power to heal and to save.
ROCO’s Newest Premiere Shows Life’s Thorns And Roses | Houston Press
History isn’t always so rosy, but it tends to bend toward hope…The Holocaust is no exception to this record, and it provided the backdrop for ROCO’s upcoming concert Hope for Beauty.
Awakening at Marlboro: a ROCOInsider Q&A with concertmaster Scott St. John
Continuing ROCO’s Season 15 Unchambered series on Saturday, we next hand the reins over to concertmaster Scott St. John – for a program of “Morsels” revisiting his roots as a chamber musician, inspired by a very special summer in Vermont. In this ROCOInsider, discover the works for string quartet you’ll hear, and learn how his time at the Marlboro Music Festival spurred his course as a young musician, leading to a busy performing and teaching career!
Duo discoveries: a ROCOInsider Q&A with clarinetists Nathan Williams and Maiko Sasaki
Kicking off this season’s Unchambered series, Flair will feature an instrument familiar to many – the clarinet – but have you ever heard what it can really do? Learn from ROCO clarinetists Nathan Williams and Maiko Sasaki how they put together a program of duos which led them on an expedition of discovering new works, and revisiting old pieces they learned as young clarinetists, to narrate their stories of coming-of-age through music.
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s Season Opener Brings Out Powerhouse Music Backers | PaperCity Magazine
Following the orchestra’s opening concert, “Time for Hope,” more than 260 guests moseyed to the country club ballroom where members of the orchestra were seated at each table, making for musically-inspired dinner conversation.
Seeing in different ways: a ROCOInsider Q&A with mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin
What do colors sound like? Ahead of this weekend’s world premiere of Lisa Bielawa’s song cycle Centuries in the Hours, we had a chance to sit down with mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin – who has been blind since birth – to explore how she sees the world, yielding a unique, and deeper way, of musical collaboration.
Personal struggles of five women provide spark for River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s Time for Hope concert | Houston Chronicle
In an age when advocacy has revolutionized female empowerment, ROCO travels back in time to give voice to the voiceless — generations of women who lived largely unheard and largely unknown.
Get to know conductor Mei-Ann Chen – ROCO’s first Artistic Partner!
This weekend we are so thrilled to welcome back one of the most beloved guests to ROCO’s podium – conductor Mei-Ann Chen, now as ROCO’s first-ever Artistic Partner! Though audiences may know her from previous appearances, there are a few fun tidbits we discovered – such as the unexpected career she might have if she weren’t a musician. Read on to learn more about Mei-Ann!
Making visible, the invisible: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Lisa Bielawa
The first world premiere commission of ROCO’s 15th season “Coming Of Age,” takes audiences back in time for a poignant glimpse into the everyday lives of five American women, giving voice to their unique yet unknown experiences for the first time – in Lisa Bielawa’s Centuries in the Hours, written for mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin.
