The Houston performance of pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma will include an all-Beethoven program featuring Twelve Variations in F Major on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Op. 66; Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5, No. 1; Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102, No. 1; Seven Variations in E-flat Major on "Bei Männern, welche fuhlen" from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Wo0. 46; and Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69.

"Houston is privileged to have the opportunity to see these two legendary talents perform together," said Toby Mattox, executive director of S.P.A. "Both musicians are soloists in their own right - and to have either of them perform solo would make for an amazing evening. But to present both artists together makes this performance all the more special."

Ax and Ma have performed together on numerous occasions since they met more than 30 years ago at Juilliard. In addition to live performances, the duo has recorded several albums, including Brahms: Cello Sonatas and Strauss and Britten: Sonatas for Cello and Piano. Ax and Ma have won three Grammy awards for cello and piano pieces by Beethoven and Brahms. They have also collaborated with artists such as Isaac Stern, Jaime Laredo and Richard Stoltzman.

Emanuel Ax has recorded more than 20 albums and has won seven Grammy awards for his solo efforts and collaborations. A graduate of the Juilliard School and Columbia University, Ax first gained recognition in 1974 at the age of 25 for winning the first Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition. Since then, Ax has premiered many pieces from such composers as John Adams, Bright Sheng and Melinda Wagner.

Yo-Yo Ma performed his first public recital at the age of five. After nearly 45 years, Ma has released more than 50 albums and has won 15 Grammy awards. Also a Juilliard graduate, Ma attended Harvard University. Along with an accomplished and eclectic music career, Ma also developed a passion for education. He established the Silk Road Project in 1998 to promote the study of the cultural, artistic and intellectual traditions along the ancient Silk Road trade route, an area that spans from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

The performance of Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma is generously sponsored by Locke Liddell & Sapp, LLP, AIM Investments, Continental Airlines and KUHF 88.7 FM.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4SPA or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday. For groups of 15 or more, call 713-632-8114.

About Society for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (S.P.A.) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, S.P.A. has sponsored more than 700 performances of the world's finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, S.P.A. seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.