Apollo Chamber Players Homages Its Name, Previews New Album at Free Miller Outdoor Concert

Apollo Chamber Players Homages Its Name, Previews New Album at Free Miller Outdoor Concert

Apollo Chamber Players with John Herrington

WITH FREE EVENING concerts and programming, Miller Outdoor Theatre is a favorite summertime destination. Tomorrow, the Houston-based string quartet Apollo Chamber Players presents Moonstrike, a concert of music inspired by the Apollo space program and NASA. It precedes the group’s new album, out later this summer on Azica Records.

The evening features moon-themed compositions by Emmy-winning Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, Turkish-born composer Erberk Eryılmaz, and Mark Wingate in collaboration with Grammy-winning composer and Houston native, Christopher Theofanidis. The ambitious, multimedia program includes projections of artwork by Chickasaw artist Dustin Illetewahke Mater, and will be livestreamed on the Miller Theatre website, Facebook and YouTube.

Founded in 2008 by violinist Matthew Detrick, the internationally minded quartet includes Detrick’s wife, violinist Anabel Ramírez, violist Whitney Bullock and cellist Matthew Dudzik. Its mission is to commission and present music outside of chamber music’s typical, Euro-centric repertoire. Tate’s composition, originally commissioned by Apollo for their 20x2020 commissioning project, is inspired by moon legends of various American Indian tribes and features live narration from Chickasaw Nation-born astronaut John Herrington, the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space. The 30-minute, three-movement work masterfully interweaves the art of storytelling with “word painting.” It’s also the title work Apollo’s upcoming album, which will also include works by Jennifer Higdon and Houston composer Pierre Jalbert.

The two pieces on Friday’s concert by Eryılmaz draw upon the traditional music of Turkey and Anatolia, including Folk Art: Was her face the moon or sunlight, a work scheduled to travel to the moon along with several other Earth-made cultural artifacts via Carnegie Mellon University’s MoonArk Astrobotic lander.

Rounding out the evening’s program is Wingate and Theofandis’ What is the Word, another 20x2020 commission, which combines electronics and a prerecorded text by Samuel Beckett with the quartet and pays tribute to the Irish heritage of the members of the Apollo 11 mission.

Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: Entrepreneur Saba Syed of Moroccan Bath Determined to Build ‘Lasting Legacy’

Saba Syed, Founder of Oasis Moroccan Bath

How did you get to where you are today? My journey began with a need to be financially independent and an even a deeper drive to create a lasting legacy. The centuries-old Hammam tradition has always fascinated me—not just for its relaxation benefits, but for its holistic approach to cleansing the body, mind, and soul. So, combining my passion with a vision to bring an authentic yet luxurious Hammam spa experience to Houston, I took the leap less than two years ago to open my own spa.

Keep Reading Show less

Marla Hurley, Ben Berg, and Laura Goodson

NEVER TURNING DOWN an excuse to dress up and get down, Houston VIPs descended upon Ben Berg's The Ranch Saloon & Steakhouse to celebrate the opening of the Rodeo's only sit-down restaurant, now back for a fourth year running.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious

EVER A GLAMOROUS event, the Houston Ballet's annual black-tie ball was a glimmering affair at the Wortham, where 500 guests joined event chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment