The Houston Symphony Orchestra, 1913-1971

Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1972. S5 - A first edition (no additional printing) hardcover book SIGNED and inscribed by Hubert Roussel to previous owner on the front free endpaper in very good condition in very good dust jacket that is mylar protected. Dust jacket has price clipped, open tear/chipped on the top spine edge, some wrinkling, chipping, and peeling on the edges, corners, and some sides, some scattered light stains, tanning and light shelf wear. Book is lightly cocked, some bumped corners, wrinkling on the spine edges, some scattered light foxing and stains on the page edges, some tape stains and scattered light foxing/stains on the front endpapers, previous owner's inscription written on the front free endpaper, light tanning and shelf wear. 9.25"x6", 247 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. The Houston Symphony is an American orchestra based in Houston, Texas. The orchestra is resident at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. The first concert of what was to become the Houston Symphony took place on June 21, 1913, sponsored by the Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg. Initially, the orchestra was composed of only 35 part-time musicians. Despite its small stature and budget, the orchestra and its first conductor, Julien Paul Blitz, enjoyed a good response and continued to perform. He conducted until 1916, then Paul Bergé, until the orchestra disbanded in 1918. The orchestra reformed in 1930, still as a semi-professional orchestra, and gave its first full season of concerts the following year conducted by Uriel Nespoli. In the spring of 1936 the symphony society officially became the Houston Symphony Society. Ernst Hoffmann began his tenure that year with increased support from the Society and began hiring professional musicians. The orchestra continued to expand over the next several decades, and its first 52-week contract was signed in 1971. Leopold Stokowski was music director from 1955 to 1961. During his tenure, the Houston Symphony gave the American premiere of the Symphony no. 11 of Dmitri Shostakovich, and subsequently made the first commercial recording of the work. When Stokowski invited African-American opera singer Shirley Verrett to sing with the Houston Symphony in the early 1960s, he was forced to rescind his invitation when the orchestra board refused to accept a black soloist. Stokowski later made amends by giving her a prestigious date with the Philadelphia Orchestra. . Signed by Author. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.