Things to do: dance, jive, have an unforgettable time with The Music of ABBA

Take your chance with the Houston Symphony this weekend as they present ABBA’s music. Audiences will be able to dance, dance and have the time of their lives as the orchestra plays all the pop supergroup favorites alongside guest artists Rajaton. The concerts take place Saturday at Jones Hall.

“It’s a really energetic and fast-paced show. It features an entire symphony orchestra, a full rock band and a truly special vocal ensemble from Finland,” said Lucas Waldin, guest conductor.

Rajaton, which means “without limits”, is a six-voice a cappella ensemble which regularly gives around a hundred concerts each year. Rajaton exposes their audiences to the diversity of repertoire, singing style and stage presentation that has made them a phenomenon on the world stage.

In their native Finland, Rajaton are a true pop phenomenon, successfully bridging the gap that often exists between classical and traditional conventions – and they know their ABBA. The band released a tribute album covering the music of ABBA, which reached number one on the Finnish Albums Chart and sold platinum within a month of its release.

Waldin says the evening will be a balance of symphonic music and singing performances.

“We obviously have the vocal ensemble with the orchestra and the rock band. We also have a few tracks where it’s just the vocal ensemble,” Waldin said. “They have some really incredibly rich harmonies that they are able to fill the songs with, so it’s a special collaboration.”

ABBA’s music is an easy choice for a Houston Symphony POPS performance. The group is appreciated worldwide.

The Swedish group Europop was one of the most commercially successful groups in the history of popular music. In the 1970s, ABBA dominated the European charts with their catchy pop songs. The group, made up of two married couples, won the Eurovision contest in 1974 with the song “Waterloo”, and the rest is history.
Rajaton’s mastery of the ABBA catalog and the impeccable musicianship of the Houston Symphony are paramount because, over time, bands walk a tightrope in terms of rehearsal time. They only have a few hours of rehearsal before putting on the show.

But, as always, the Houston Symphony’s performers and guests are consummate professionals when it comes to making everything look simple.

“The symphony has had its music for some time and it will be extremely well prepared,” Waldin said. “But we basically only have one rehearsal, which is always intense. So Rajaton comes, and I come to Houston, and we have two and a half hours together to go through the set list and work out all the details, and then, boom, we’re on stage in front of an audience. . It’s extremely fast, but everyone is well prepared and everyone is ready to put on a good show.

“It’s really impressive to see. A lot of community or high school ensembles rehearse for three to five months before they perform, and we go up there and read the whole thing once, and we’re ready to go to the highest level,” he said. “It really speaks to the musicians involved. Obviously, the Houston Symphony is one of the best in the country and we all trust each other to do our jobs.

The Houston Symphony is an enticing draw for Waldin, who lives in Ottawa and travels the world conducting music. He has been a recurring presence on the Houston Symphony stage since 2014, and he looks forward to returning to the Houston Symphony and Bayou City whenever the opportunity presents itself.

“I have to say that I really like the city. I’m actually bringing my bike, if you can believe it,” he shared. “When I go to all these different cities and different places, it’s nice to exercise and see the city. I drive up White Oak Bayou and visit many neighborhoods that I wouldn’t see if I stayed downtown.

He is also a fan of Houston cuisine.

“I have to say I enjoy Tex-Mex, which is my favorite (cuisine) there.”

No arguments here. Tacos are the perfect pre or post concert meal for a night full of ABBA hits like “Mamma Mia”, “Voulez-Vous” and many more that will surely have “Dancing Queens” in the aisles saying “Gimme Gimme Gimme” and “Thanks for the music!”

The Houston Symphony presents The Music of ABBA at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana. For tickets or information, call 713-224-7575 or visit houstonsymphony.org. $63 – $190.