Fire meets ice in an exhilarating program drawing inspiration from legend, magic, and mystical realms. Following Scriabin’s cosmic Poem of Ecstasy, be transported to a world of snowy, sparkling beauty with Sibelius’s luminous Violin Concerto, performed by 2023 Shepherd School of Music Concerto Competition Winner Angela Ryu. One of the most beloved masterpieces of all time, Stravinsky’s Firebird dazzles from the first note to the roaring, heart-pounding finale. Grammy Award-winning conductor and former Houston Symphony Music Director Hans Graf leads the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra.
Repertoire
Scriabin: Poème de l'extase (Poem of Ecstasy)
Sibelius: Violin Concerto
INTERMISSION
Stravinsky: The Firebird (1910)
Stay in your seats after the performance for a short Post-Concert Chat with Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden and guest artists!
Artists
Known for his wide range of repertoire and creative programming, the distinguished Austrian conductor Hans Graf is one of today’s most highly respected musicians. With Hans Graf, “a brave new world of music-making under inspired direction” (The Straits Times) began at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, where he was appointed Chief Conductor from the 2020/21 season, and Music Director from the 2022/23 season.
Graf was formerly Music Director of the Houston Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Basque National Orchestra and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg. He has appeared with all major orchestras in North America, including the orchestras of Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Montreal, Toronto and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Angela Ryu is a second year Master’s student at the Shepherd School of Music studying violin performance under Professor Paul Kantor. Angela was a winner of the 2023 Shepherd School of Music Concerto Competition.