Best Chamber Orchestra: Apollo Chamber Players
Houston has no shortage of talented musical groups, and Apollo Chamber Players — made from a core group of four musicians — knows how to hang with the big dogs around town. Want proof? Just look at the group’s fifth album, “With Malice Toward None,” which bested Yo-Yo Ma on Amazon Music’s Hot New Release chart last summer for the top spot.
The group focuses on globally-inspired programming and multicultural new music commissions, which has birthed some truly original collaborations and programming that would make even the most hardcore Top 40 fan rethink the glory of classical and chamber music. Among a few highlights of the most recent season was the opening concert featuring Tracy Silverman on an electric violin. The performance married Beethoven with the sounds of metal rock. Also of note, the MoonStrike concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre this summer brought together the works of Emmy-winning Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate; John Herrington, the first Native American to fly in space; and award-winning Chickasaw artist Dustin Illetewahke Mater. Stellar stuff!
Another notch in its belt, Apollo Chamber Players make the music accessible. Thanks to a partnership with Harris County Public Library System, Apollo launched a three year program in 2021 to perform at all 26 branches of the library system, stretching from Katy to Tomball to Clear Lake and specifically curated in conjunction with each branch’s programming, focus and celebrations.
Big things come in small packages, and this quartet is bursting with talent.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2022.
