HOUSTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FEATURES TELEMANN’S “WATER MUSIC” IN ZILKHA HALL

November 6, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

The Orchestra also performs Telemann’s “Sinfonia Melodica in C Major,” a group of Baroque dance forms characteristic of Telemann’s numerous orchestral suites.

The Fidelis String Quartet joins the orchestra in Mozart’s Serenade No. 6, K. 239, “Serenata Notturna.” Written when the composer was 20 years old, the serenade is structured similar to a concerto grosso in which the main orchestra and string quartet play together but in a somewhat antiphonal manner. The Fidelis String Quartet is one of Houston’s premiere chamber music ensembles and consists of violinists Rodica Oancea-Gonzalez and Mihaela Oancea-Frusina, sisters from Romania; Wei Jiang, violist and Jeffrey Butler, cellist. Double bassist Donald Howey joins the group for this piece. All are members of the Houston Symphony.

Flutist Judy Dines is featured in the premiere performance of the Concerto for Flute and Orchestra by Charles Fitts. The concerto was written especially for Dines and the Houston Chamber Orchestra and follows the classical three-movement concerto form. Dines is a member of the Houston Symphony, and Fitts is a Houston-area composer of symphonic, choral and chamber music.

Houston Chamber Orchestra founder and artistic director Michael Lowe conducts. Known for his exciting and diverse programming, Lowe’s plans for future concerts this season include works by Vaughan Williams, Bach, Elgar, Beethoven, Sibelius, Mozart and a number of contemporary pieces to complete the mix.

TICKET AND VENUE INFORMATION

All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston’s Theater District, 800 Bagby, Houston, Texas 77002.

Individual tickets are $30 and are available to students for $10. A 20 percent discount is offered to seniors and KUHF members. Season subscriptions are $130 and include an invitation to post-concert champagne receptions. A 15 percent discount is available to seniors and KUHF members, and season subscribers save 15 percent on additional tickets purchased. To purchase tickets, call the Hobby Center at 713-315-2525 or go online at www.UniquelyHouston.org.

ABOUT MICHAEL LOWE AND THE HOUSTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA:
Founder Michael Lowe is in his sixth season as conductor and artistic director of the Houston Chamber Orchestra, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to concerts, educational programs, commercial recordings and tours to strengthen Houston’s arts community and musical culture. The orchestra’s repertoire exploits the virtuosity of individual members who are frequently featured as soloists. Programs and venues are chosen to provide intimate interaction between the audience, the orchestra as a whole, and individual orchestra members.