Houston Symphony Music Director Juraj Valcuha returns to conduct the Richard Strauss "Ein Heldenleben," A hero's Life, which reveals the autobiography of the composer complete with his thoughts on music critics but does it end with a triumph? Not exactly.  It is a giant piece and 45 minutes of delightful music. Maestro Valcuha tells Jim Cunningham in his dressing room after rehearsal on Thursday evening that he has already given the world premiere of the "Liberty Bell" by Julia Wolfe, co-commissioned with Pittsburgh and Houston. The composer will take a bow on stage this weekend. She uses lots of bells in the augmented percussion section.

Juraj Valcuha has renewed his Houston contract through 2027 and he is still getting to know the city. Rodeo is on the plan for next year and after leaving Pittsburgh, he'll conduct "A Hero's Life" at Jones Hall at Thanksgiving. He is just back from conducting the Debussy opera "Pelléas and Melisande" in Switzerland for one month working with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande - famous for hundreds of recordings with Ernest Ansermet. He's a nature lover and he hopes he can enjoy the great outdoors a bit with many dates on his calendar. Pittsburgh is a favorite stop with his grandfather having lived here. He's visited Grandads' final resting place in Pittsburgh and looks forward to more concerts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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