Houston is in for a December treat! World-renowned violinist Gil Shaham returns to Jones Hall on December 4, 5, and 6, joining the Houston Symphony and Music Director Juraj Valčuha for a program bursting with melody and joy. As the orchestra’s 2026–27 Artist-in-Residence, Shaham takes center stage in Barber’s beloved Violin Concerto, a piece that sweeps from heart-melting melodies to dazzling displays of fingerwork.
The evening opens with Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, a colorful whirlwind of Hungarian folk rhythms, and closes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, one of the most lighthearted and life-affirming symphonies ever written. Dvořák filled it with pastoral charm, frisky folk tunes, and joyful odes to the splendors of nature — pure sunshine in musical form.
Arrive early and enjoy a free Prelude talk 50 minutes before each performance, full of fascinating insights into the music. Doors open an hour before showtime, and the concert runs about 100 minutes with one intermission — perfect for audiences ages 6 and up. Tickets start at just $29, with 10% off for groups of 10 or more. Don’t miss your chance to hear one of the world’s greatest violinists in one of Houston’s most beautiful halls.
Photo: Chris Lee
