George Li and Ben Gernon both end the month in Houston where they make their debuts with the Houston Symphony Orchestra on 30 June 2017. Appearing at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre, Gernon conducts the orchestra in a programme of Mendelssohn Symphony No.1 and Glinka Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila, with Li joining them to perform Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1.
Li’s recent performances were met with high critical acclaim in the press:
“Under Li’s touch, Chopin’s exuberant composition exploded throughout the hall. Li revealed immediately why he is a rising star and a winner of international competitions. He plays with an animated style that fits the youthful Chopin’s work… Yet he revealed immediately…, his controlled, but expressive and delicate touch as he and the orchestra cast the spell of the contemplative movement, described by Chopin as a ‘meditation in beautiful spring weather, but by moonlight.'”
Kansas City Metropolis, February 2017
Gernon recently made his debut at Oper Stuttgart, conducting Le nozze di Figaro to critical praise:
“Gernon lets Mozart’s music be a classic in the best sense of the word. Its attraction comes through quite naturally in a fresh and balanced interpretation like this one.”
Der Neue Merkur, April 2017