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!
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.
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.
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.
New music, ancestral tradition: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Erberk Eryilmaz
Capping off ROCO’s 14th season of “Games People Play,” our final world premiere commission pays tribute to a game blending skill, strength, and artistic expression – the sport of traditional Turkish wrestling! We sat down with composer Erberk Eryılmaz to learn more about the inspiration for his new work, and his unique journey as a musician, taking him cross-continent from his native Turkey, all the way to Texas.
On unexpected journeys: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Jim Stephenson
From orchestras, to bands, to choirs, plus soloists of almost every instrument – the music of composer Jim Stephenson has been performed by musicians of all ages, across America and the world. We are thrilled to welcome him to Houston for the world premiere of his newest work celebrating the fun hobby of model railroading – ROCOmotive!
Composing evolution: a ROCOInsider Q&A with Sapien’s Stephanie Ann Boyd
Adding to ROCO’s ever-growing body of commissions, Saturday’s ROCO Unchambered: Force of Nature features the world premiere of Sapien by Stephanie Ann Boyd, for flute, oboe, cello and piano.
The music of nature: a ROCOInsider Q&A with principal flutist Brook Ferguson
As Season 14 continues with Saturday’s ROCO Unchambered: Force of Nature, we had a chance to chat with principal flutist Brook Ferguson in this edition of ROCOInsider, to explore her inspirations in curating a program embracing the beautiful connections between music and nature.
Visions Take Flight: ROCO Impresses with Debut Album of New Music | I Care If You Listen
Visions Take Flight is the remarkably assured debut album by the Houston-based River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO), released in November 2018 on Innova Recordings.
12 Days of Classical Music Makes Houston’s Holiday Season Very Merry | Houston Press
The weather outside is frightful, but inside Houston’s concert halls it’s quite delightful. ‘Tis the season for holiday music and our classical line-up caters to every taste.
ROCOInsider: Q&A with Solitaire’s Heather Schmidt
We are excited to bring you another installment of ROCOInsider, as part of this weekend’s events focusing on women in the arts: Friday’s Concert & Conversation and Saturday’s ROCO In Concert: Queen of Hearts!
ROCOInsider: Q&A with Pathfinder’s Richard Lavenda
We’re back with another installment of ROCOInsider to preview this season’s first ROCO Unchambered concert, Mind Games! This week we chatted with composer Richard Lavenda, ahead of Saturday’s premiere of his most adventurous piece yet – Pathfinder, which incorporates audience input to help influence the piece’s direction in the moment.
