It's been a year since Mercury — The Orchestra Redefined underwent a style overhaul in image and branding. Formerly Mercury Baroque, the period ensemble had organically and gradually moved toward an historically informed aesthetic that extends beyond its namesake's historical period.
The change proved to be beneficial.
As Mercury prepared its 12th season of concerts, it took advantage of the newly acquired freedom to consider offering Romantic compositions by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, classical tunes by Mozart and Haydn, in addition to Baroque music by Charpentier and Bach — the style that initially rendered Mercury a zestful ensemble loved by local, national and international audiences.
"I wanted for each concert to be different from the next, so we pulled from all types of different genres and time periods," Antoine Plante, founder and artistic director, explains.
Mercury's vision for the 2013-14 season is to curate programs that can be enjoyed by diehard junkies and casual classical music lovers. Dynamic performances with outstanding musicians is what Mercury is all about, Plante says.
Concert talks will introduce the pieces in an effort to create an intimate environment that fosters connection with listeners.
"I wanted for each concert to be different from the next, so we pulled from all types of different genre and periods."
Mozart Piano Concertos (Oct. 5) marks Mercury's first collaboration with Tim Hester, a University of Houston professor who also focuses on awakening the beauty of the 18th century fortepiano — literally meaning loud and soft. The classical Mozart centered playbill includes the Piano Concerto No. 9 "Jeunehomme," written when Mozart was 21 years old, and his Symphony No. 29 in A major.
The voices of the University of Houston Choral are summed for Napoleon and the Battle of Nations (Nov. 23). Haydn's Mass in the Time of War and Beethoven's Coriolan Overture chronicle the story of the French military leader's rise to power and subsequent defeat.
Opting for something different than the predictable Messiah for its holiday themed concert, Te Deum: A Christmas Celebration (Dec. 14) programs a healthy soupçon of Parisian Baroque's raison d'être with Charpentier's Christmas Mass, sung by the Bach Society Choir.
Traveling outside of what's considered early music, Tchaikovsky Serenade (Jan. 11, 2014) spotlights one of Romanticism's greatest hits. Musicians will pick up their modern fiddles outfitted with gut strings for Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings.
British harpsichordist-cum-conductor Richard Egarr's visit to Houston and first engagement with Mercury is part of the second annual Texas Early Music Festival. The all Bach binge programs the Complete Brandenburg (Feb. 14, 2014) concerti. Egarr plans to lead from the keyboard.
The virtuosity of Baroque specialist Kathryn Montoya will be on display for Dreams and Nightmares (March 28, 2014), which includes Vivaldi's recorder showpiece La Notte (The Night). The season closes with Beethoven 6 & 7 (May 3, 2014), two epic scores typically performed by large orchestras.
In addition to the Downtown Series at Wortham Theater Center, Mercury's Neighborhood Series bring music to alternative venues in The Heights, Museum District, Memorial and The Woodlands.
And at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Mercury's 8 Seasons (Aug. 31) adds south-of-the-border sass to Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Piazzolla's own version.
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Tickets are available online or by calling Mercury - The Orchestra Redefined at 713-533-0080.
Richard Egarr
