Stunning Westside Sanctuary Hosts Timely Concert Celebrating Music from Jewish, Muslim and Christian Faiths

Stunning Westside Sanctuary Hosts Timely Concert Celebrating Music from Jewish, Muslim and Christian Faiths

St. John Vianney Catholic Church (photo by Geoffrey Lyon)

TOMORROW, AT WEST Houston’s beautiful St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO) kicks off its 10th season with Music of Faith, a celebration of music from Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions, featuring internationally-known Klezmer violinist, Steven Greenman.


In addition to being one of the finest practitioners of traditional East European Jewish klezmer violin music, Greenman is a virtuoso performer of East European folk music and an in-demand soloist with symphony orchestras. “This concert celebrates music representing several of the many cultures that make up our Energy Corridor community that have supported us since our beginning,” says ECHO’s executive director Sarah McDonner.

Greenman will perform several short movements from his composition, Klezmer Suite for Violin and Orchestra, as well as the Cadenza from Fiddler on the Roof by film composer, John Williams. The rich and varied program also includes the final movement from Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 (also known as the Reformation Symphony), which is based on the famous Christian hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God, and the overture to Verdi’s opera La Forza Del Destino. Ekaterinburg Gorlova, soprano with the St. John Vianney choir, will sing Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim from Samson. ECHO’s founding director Michael Fahey conducts.

Fahey co-founded ECHO in 2014 with McDonner to bring audience-friendly, professional-level performances of classical and contemporary music to the Energy Corridor and surrounding communities. The orchestra’s combined membership of professional and volunteer players has contributed to its ongoing success with audiences, who may be new to classical repertoire.

“We are so excited to bring Steven Greenman back to Houston to perform for our incredible audience,” says Fahey. “It is our great pleasure to feature music and musicians from near and far as we continue to provide musical experiences that will delight our audiences.”

Art + Entertainment
Exclusive Furniture’s Sam Zavary Credits Luck, Hard Work and ‘Mom’s Prayers’ for His Success

How did you get to where you are today? I am a firm believer that hard work and having dreams that you strive to achieve will motivate and inspire people to achieve their potential. Working hard, dreaming, and making sure to take advantage of every opportunity is something I learned at a young age. I credit God and God’s grace firstly, but I know that success is a direct result of hard work. I tell my podcast subscribers and followers to continue setting goals, evolving, improving, and planning, and I practice what I preach. I am proud to have started my business in the fastest growing major city in the United States, and I attribute a lot of the success of Exclusive Furniture to the family culture we create in the best city — Houston’s diversity, philanthropy, and innovation have helped me achieve a lot of the milestones in the furniture business (and the “low prices”) you see today!

Keep Reading Show less

The patio at Toca Madera (photo by Connie Anderson)

EXPERIENTIAL, OR “VIBE,” dining has been trending for a few years now in Houston, from restaurateurs who assume that diners want more than just a meal. Well, they all just got some stiff competition with the opening of Toca Madera in the Pavilion at The Allen.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

The pool at Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Woodlands

IS A HEALTHY, balanced real estate market finally here? Per HAR data, the answer is ... kind of? Inventory is at the highest level since 2011, prices are holding steady, and the city and metro area continue to grow in population. Having lost population after Harvey and Covid, the city welcomes significant yet sustainable growth — and a housing market that can handle it.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate