Symphony Notes — Fall 2018 by Houston Symphony

SYMPHONY FALL 2018

NOTES

SYMPHONY NOTES

FALL 2018

Max Levine

Itzhak Perlman in Houston

Young Associates Council

Concert Spotlight

The Seven Deadly Sins Nov. 2, 3 & 4

An American in Paris—Film with Live Orchestra Nov. 9, 10 & 11

9 10

Ima Hogg Community Fellowship

Phillips 66 BCA 10

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Dear Houston Symphony Donor, This issue of Symphony Notes highlights the stories of various members of the Houston Symphony family: a superstar and his son-in-law; Ima Hogg Competition winners performing for community members in need; young professionals with a passion for music; a family that’s been a part of the Symphony for four generations, and more. On a personal note, I’m excited for my first full season as Executive Director and CEO in the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. A recent experience showed me again what an amazing organization this is. I was on a whirlwind flight to Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s hometown, Medellín, Colombia, with 35 of our musicians to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Teatro Metropolitano José Gutierrez Gómez. It was the pilot’s birthday. He wasn’t sure he could get us to Panama City on schedule, until our musicians retrieved their instruments to perform a rousing improved version of “Happy Birthday.” After that, he made sure we arrived in time for our connection. They’re truly a special group of musicians, and you should be proud of them, as artists and as people. Thank you for all you do for the Symphony. I hope to see you soon at Jones Hall! Warm regards,

John Mangum

Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

MAX LEV GENERATIONS OF GIVING THE LEVINE FAMILY FROM THE 1940’S TO NOW Maurice Hirsch, Charles Jones, Max Levine & Gus Wortham. Jim Cox/© Houston Chronicle; courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, MS 16 Hirsch Papers. Used with permission.

As Houston’s longest-established performing arts organization—now in its 105th year—the Houston Symphony has inspired multiple generations of Texans. The story of one of those families begins 73 years ago when Max Levine, who had moved to Houston to open Foley’s department store, joined the Symphony Board. His legacy continues today with his granddaughter, Kerry Levine Bollmann, a new member of the Symphony’s Legacy Society. Born and raised in Boston, Max Levine attended Boston Latin School and Harvard Business School. After graduating from Harvard, he began his long career in the retail business. Max and his wife, Marcella “Marty” Levine, were fixtures of Houston philanthropy for decades. Their daughter-in-law, Cheryl Levine, notes that “they split up the philanthropy. Max supported the Symphony and the United Way,” while Marty supported Houston Public Television, among many other nonprofit organizations. As Max said, “We cover more territory working separately.” Marty was also a good friend of Houston Symphony founder Ima Hogg. Max was recruited to the Houston Symphony by fellow retailer Simon Sakowitz, who enlisted his help for the 1945 Annual Fund. Max was a tireless volunteer fundraiser for the orchestra, chairing the Maintenance Fund in 1951 and again in 1969-1971. As he put it, “If I had to ask for something for myself, I’d probably be tongue-tied. But when you’re raising money for something you know is good for the community, it’s an enjoyable challenge.” He served the Houston Symphony Society as Treasurer from 1950-1952, and as a Vice President for a quarter century from 1952-1977, including a stint as Finance Chair from 1969-1973. He recalled that Gus Wortham “named me Finance Chairman without ever asking me. But when Gus Wortham asked, there was no way of saying no.”

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“If I had to ask for something for myself, I’d probably be tongue-tied. But when you’re raising money for something you know is good for the community, it’s an enjoyable challenge.” - MAX LEVINE

Max’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter describe him as a very intelligent, energetic reasonable man who commanded great respect. Cheryl notes that he was thoughtful and often quiet, and that when he spoke, everyone paid attention. Foley’s was a cornerstone of the retail business in Houston, and, under Max’s leadership, a generous supporter of the Symphony, including sponsorship of the “Sounds of the 70s” pops series and a summer pops series. Even after he was no longer President and Chairman of Foley’s, Max retained an office in the store—and a secretary, Miss Duvet—well into his eighties. He came in every day, walking the floor, talking with employees. He became President of the Houston Symphony Endowment in 1981. When he retired from the Board six years later, the Houston Symphony Society named Max its first director emeritus, and in 1990, the Brown Foundation endowed the Symphony’s named Concertmaster Chair in his honor. Max passed away in 1991. In the 1980’s, Marty would take their granddaughter Kerry to attend Family Concerts—memories Kerry still cherishes. As an animal lover, she particularly remembers loving performances of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Now with a family of their own, Kerry and her husband Kris recently joined the Houston Symphony’s Legacy Society, which recognizes people who provide for the Symphony in their estate plans. Their estate contributions support the Houston Symphony Endowment, which ensures the orchestra’s long-term stability over the decades. As the mom of a 2-year-old son, Keaton, Kerry has joined the Society at a younger age than most, because she appreciates the importance, not just of her beloved grandfather’s legacy, but of what the Symphony means to the city her family calls home. As she puts it, “I want the Symphony to be here for Houstonians like my son for generations to come.” Kerry has a special appreciation of her family’s legacy now that Keaton is starting to enjoy music. Both Kerry and her mother note that young Keaton is mesmerized by the sound of violin. Max Levine’s great-grandson recently attended his first Houston Symphony Family Series concert, Peter and the Wolf, continuing a great family tradition well into the 21st century.

To learn more about the Symphony’s Legacy Society, visit houstonsymphony.planmylegacy.org SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

ITZHAK PERLMAN in Houston Itzhak Perlman is one of the world’s most celebrated violinists, a classical musician who has achieved superstar status. He performs regularly with the finest orchestras in the United States—including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic—and around the globe—including the Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw Orchestra and London Philharmonic. But he has a special connection to Houston. Born in Israel in 1945, Perlman became a household name from a young age, making his first national television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. Over the course of a career that has already spanned six decades, he has won 15 Grammy® Awards as well as a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award. Perlman has received honors from four American Presidents: Ronald Reagan (Medal of Liberty), Bill Clinton (National Medal of Arts), George W. Bush (Kennedy Center Honors) and Barack Obama (Medal of Freedom). This year saw the release of Itzhak, a documentary film about his life directed by Alison Chernick, which appeared at the Houston Jewish Film Festival in March. His Houston-area appearances include numerous performances at Jones Hall with both the Houston Symphony and Society for the Performing Arts—including the Jones Hall 50th Anniversary Gala in 2016—as well as a 2009 concert at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House. Most recently, he performed and conducted a program of Bach, Mozart and Schumann with the Houston Symphony.

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TOBY PERLMAN AND DAUGHTER ARIELLA

ARIELLA WITH HUSBAND ROBERT AND THEIR CHILDREN, EZRA, REUBEN AND AVNER

PERLMAN

ITZHAK WITH WIFE TOBY, AND THEIR GRANDSON AVNER

Performing with the Houston Symphony is special for Perlman, not just for the opportunity to work with our renowned orchestra, but because he has a family connection—his son-in-law is Associate Principal Horn Robert Johnson.

Robert married Ariella Perlman, the youngest of Itzhak Perlman’s five children, in 2009, three years before he joined the Houston Symphony. The two of them met at Rice University, where Robert studied with several of his Houston Symphony colleagues. Before returning to Houston to settle, Robert performed with orchestras in Cincinnati, Dayton and Honolulu. Ariella is a flutist and teacher, and she and Robert have three sons. One highlight of Robert’s tenure with the Houston Symphony was the North American premiere of the late James Horner’s Horn Concerto, a co-commission of the Houston Symphony. He is a faculty member of the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and of the Texas Music Festival. Robert says, “My parents-in-law are among the busiest and most traveled people. The opportunity to host them in Houston is a rare treat we always relish. All the boys love Scooter Rides from Saba (Hebrew for Grandfather), reading time with their Granny, and listening to music together as a family. Ariella and I take great pride in showing off Houston’s incredible restaurant scene. I feel especially honored to be present and collaborate with Mr. Perlman. On and off stage, he is such a generous presence, and his heart and musicianship are magnified onstage by our family connection.” SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

OUNG ASS ANN AND JONATHAN AYRE

YOUNG ASS OCIATES COUNCIL

The Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council (YAC) is a philanthropic group whose members are under the age of 45 and who support the Houston Symphony’s Annual Fund. It is comprised of established mid-career professionals who have a passion for the Houston Symphony’s programming and philanthropy within the Houston community. The YAC hosts a number of unique events at the city’s most sought-after venues and the private homes of Houston civic and cultural leaders. YAC members are valued by the Houston Symphony as its future leaders and supporters, and build close personal and professional connections with other members. We spoke with its Co-Chairs, Jennifer Gravenor (JG) and Ann Ayre (AA) to check in on the YAC’s plans for the 2018-2019 season. What are your goals for the YAC for the 2018-19 Season? JG: We’re absolutely thrilled to get the YAC back together after the summer, see all the members, and catch up on what’s happening in everyone’s lives. We’re excited about expanding to include new members! Ann and I want to work with longtime Symphony donors to engage a new generation. We think that a number of longtime Symphony supporters have younger family members who would enjoy participating in the YAC. At the same time, we’re looking forward to relationships with new Symphony supporters. We see significant opportunity for more and more households to join our group. AA: We want to develop an even stronger connection between the YAC and the Symphony as a whole. We hope that even more YAC members will take advantage of the opportunity to give their time to the Houston Symphony’s committees, including the Wine Dinner Collector’s Auction Committee, the Board, and the Houston Symphony League. We like our members to feel very connected, and to interact with longtime Symphony patrons. How did you get involved with the Symphony? AA: I played the cello in my youth, and I had an affinity for classical music from an early age. As long as Jonathan and I have been together, we have been Symphony subscribers. We really looked forward to concerts, since they were dates for us! We found out about the YAC while flipping through the program and saw that it would be a great way to get involved.

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JG: Several longtime Symphony supporters asked me to engage with the Houston Symphony League about ten years ago, and I fell in love with the opportunities to volunteer and engage with the Symphony, particularly its education efforts. I have a master’s degree in flute performance from the Shepherd School at Rice, and feel proud to support many of my former classmates and colleagues who are now musicians in our orchestra.

JOSH AND JENNIFER GRAVENOR WITH THEIR SON, BEN

What are some of your favorite YAC memories? JG: My husband and I have developed so many precious personal relationships through YAC! I’ve met some of my closest friends through the YAC. As for events, some of my favorites are the pairings we do—we’ll have a musical performance that’s “paired” with food, beverages, even artwork. One of the most fun pairings was last year at Karbach Brewery. Our Symphony’s Community-Embedded Musicians collaborated with Karbach to develop special craft beers created just for the occasion that would fit the essence of each chamber music piece performed. We’re able to put on truly unique and memorable events through our connections in the community—the steering committee works diligently to create experiences in unusual venues you might not immediately associate with the Symphony. AA: Our variety of events reflects the diversity of our group members’ interests. My favorites are the salon concerts in Symphony patrons’ homes. The performances are fantastic! You get a different feeling for the music when you hear it up close and personal, rather than in a grand concert hall. It’s a pleasure to speak with musicians and engage with them about their music, their instruments, and their backgrounds. I should also highlight the annual holiday party in December, which is one of our signature events. It’s always one of our most popular events, and not just because we offer photo ops with Santa and elves—the entertainment is always splendid and festive. Every year our group continues to grow, new relationships are fostered and lasting memories are created. We cannot wait for another season to unfold!

For more information about the Young Associates Council, contact Molly Simpson, Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts, at molly.simpson@houstonsymphony.org or (713)337-8526. SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

CONCERT SPOTLIGHT

The Seven

DEADLY SINS To purchase tickets, visit houstonsymphony.org or call (713) 224-7575.

FRI 8 PM NOV. 2 SAT 8 PM NOV. 3 SUN 2:30 PM NOV. 4

Bramwell Tovey, conductor Storm Large, vocalist (Anna) Hudson Shad, vocalists (The Family) R. STRAUSS “Dance of the Seven Veils” from Salome SCRIABIN The Poem of Ecstasy WEILL The Seven Deadly Sins

Meet Anna I. Meet Anna II. They’re two sides of the same person—and they’re about to take you on one wild ride. From the storied composer-lyricist team of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, The Seven Deadly Sins follows two personas (one sensible, one sultry) on a seven-city pursuit of the American dream, with a different sin at every stop. For the role of Anna, Weill wanted a pop chanteuse in the tradition of Edith Piaf— and the incredible Storm Large has earned rave reviews in the role everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center. She and the orchestra are joined by Hudson Shad, a vocal ensemble in the tradition of the Mills Brothers and the Revellers. The unusual, indulgent program opens with two pieces that establish the concert’s sensual tone: Richard Strauss’ famous Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome, and Scriabin’s lush The Poem of Ecstasy. Conductor Bramwell Tovey was last seen in March leading Stravinsky’s The Firebird.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY

CONCERT SPOTLIGHT

An American Film with Live in Paris Orchestra

To purchase tickets, visit houstonsymphony.org or call (713) 224-7575.

FRI 8 PM NOV. 9

Constantine Kitsopoulos, conductor

SAT 8 PM NOV. 10 SUN 7:30 PM NOV. 11

S’Wonderful! Fall in love with the beauty of Paris and the magic of Gershwin’s music as this 1951 classic film and Academy Award Best Picture winner comes to the big screen at Jones Hall, complete with live soundtrack by the Houston Symphony. Starring Gene Kelly as an American ex-GI who falls for Parisian Leslie Caron, the film weaves its romantic story with George and Ira Gershwin’s most unforgettable, enduring songs—“Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm” and many more!

SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

COMMUN IMA HOGG

COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP

2017 Winner Joseph Morris interacts with students at HISD Crespo Elementary School.

Many winners of the Houston Symphony’s Ima Hogg Competition have gone on to launch stellar careers in the orchestral music world, dazzling audiences with their virtuosity. Each year’s winner earns performance opportunities, a monetary prize of $25,000, and the prestige of winning one of the world’s most high-profile competitions. But there’s another opportunity for the winner that gets less attention: serving members of the Houston community at schools, hospitals and homeless shelters. Launched in 2017, through philanthropic support of the late Hon. Peter H. Brown and his children, and recognizing Peter’s mother, the Hazel French Robertson Education & Community Engagement Residency has enabled the last two winners, violinist Luke Hsu and clarinetist Joseph Morris, to develop not only musical skills, but the experience of sharing their music with community members. This Residency allows for flexibility based on the winner’s talents and interests, and Houston Symphony Education and Community Engagement staff work with each musician to identify the best community activity. Luke Hsu, for example, performed in a family chamber concert at Crespo Elementary School in 2017, as a part of the Symphony’s three-year residency at that Gulfgate school. Earlier this year, 2017 winner Joseph Morris improvised music with cancer patients at Texas Children’s Hospital through the Purple Songs Can Fly organization, and, alongside the Symphony’s Community-Embedded Musicians, performed for an audience of men struggling with addiction at Salvation Army Harbor Light. This year’s winner of the Grace Woodson Memorial Award, the Competition’s first prize, is marimbist Ji Su Jung, a graduate student at the Yale School of Music.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY

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She dazzled both the judges and the audience—who collectively awarded her the Hermann Shoss Audience Choice award—with her athletic precision for E. Séjourne’s Concerto for Marimba and Strings; she later reprised her performance at the Symphony’s Donor and Subscriber Appreciation Concert. Details of Ji Su’s residency are being finalized and she is currently exploring student performances, some of them at schools participating in the Houston Symphony’s High School Residency program, underwritten by Occidental Petroleum. Houston Symphony League member Karinne McCullough works with each year’s winner, and has been impressed by how initially skeptical musicians have found community activities a surprisingly fulfilling experience. This program opens new, unexpected avenues for musicians who might not have considered community work prior to the Ima Hogg Competition. The goal of the Hazel French Robertson Residency is similar to that of the Community-Embedded Musicians program: the Houston Symphony understands the need to provide the orchestral field with talented musicians who, as part of their training, have the skills to contribute to the communities in which they live and work.

SYMPHONY NOTES —FALL 2018

NATIONAL APPLAUSE FOR CORPORATE CITIZEN The Houston Symphony was proud to join one of its most generous corporate partners, Phillips 66, as the company was presented with the BCA 10 Award by Americans for the Arts at the Central Park Boat House in New York, on October 2, 2018. Representing Phillips 66 was Claudia Kreisle, Director, Philanthropy & Community Engagement. They were joined in Manhattan by representatives of the Houston Symphony led by Executive Director/CEO, John Mangum, as well as Mark Folkes, Managing Director of Stages Repertory Theatre. In accepting the award for Phillips 66, Claudia Kreisle said, “Art is a fundamental part of our company’s culture—from art contests for employees’ children, to orchestra performances at our Houston campus, to a rock band formed by Phillips 66 employees. On behalf of all the artists Phillips 66 has gotten to know in the last six years, I thank you, BCA 10, and thank you, Americans for the Arts.” Phillips 66 was one of only ten companies honored with this prestigious national award, which recognizes businesses for their exceptional support of the arts in their communities. The company has been the Presenting Sponsor of the last four Houston Symphony Balls.

MARK NUCCIO, CLARINET; SUZI NUCCIO, AND JUDITH VINCENT

CLAUDIA KREISLE OF PHILLIPS 66 ACCEPTS A PROCLAMATION FROM TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT, CONGRATULATING THE COMPANY ON ITS BCA 10 AWARD. L TO R: MARK FOLKES; ROBERT LYNCH, AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS PRESIDENT & CEO; MARY BETH MOSLEY, CLAUDIA KREISLE; JOHN MANGUM.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Tiffany Bourgeois, Development MAIL: 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102, Associate, Houston, TX 77002 Annual Fund, at 713-337-8559 or ONLINE: www.houstonsymphony.org/donate tiffany.bourgeois@houstonsymphony.org CALL: (713) 337-8529 www.houstonsymphony.org/donate TEXT: “MUSIC” to 41444