Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 CD

THE HONORABLE GEORGE H. W. BUSHThe Forty-first President of the United StatesGeorge H. W. Bush was elected President of the United States on November 8, 1988, sworn in on January 20, 1989, and served until January 20, 1993. During his term in office, the Cold War ended, the threat of nuclear war was drastically reduced and President Bush put together an unprecedented coalition of 32 nations to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. He also signed into law, among other things, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act.

Since leaving office, President Bush has helped raise millions of dollars for a variety of charitable organizations. He served on the Board of Visitors of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, including a two-year term as Chairman and is honorary chairman of the Points of Light Foundation. Born on June 12, 1924 George H. W. Bush became a decorated naval pilot who flew during World War II. He graduated from Yale University in 1948 and moved to Texas where he went into the oil business. President Bush's career in politics and public service began in 1963 and in 1966 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1980 he accepted a spot on the national ticket with Ronald Reagan and served as Vice President from 1981 to 1989. President and Mrs. Bush have five children and 14 grandchildren. They have been married 59 years and reside in Houston, Texas and Kennebunkport, Maine. MICHAEL KRAJEWSKI, HOUSTON SYMPHONY PRINCIPAL POPS CONDUCTORMichael Krajewski began his role as principal pops conductor of the Houston Symphony in the 2000-2001 season. Known for his delightfully wry sense of humor and imaginative programming, he also serves as principal pops conductor of the New Mexico, Long Beach and Jacksonville Symphonies. A popular guest conductor nationwide, Krajewski has appeared with orchestras ranging from the Boston Pops Orchestra to the San Francisco and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras. He has collaborated with such renowned artists as Doc Severinsen, Roberta Flack, Art Garfunkel, The Canadian Brass, Linda Eder and The Kingston Trio. For 11 years, Krajewski served as music director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He has also held positions as assistant conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra and resident conductor of the Florida Symphony Orchestra. He twice received awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for adventuresome programming of contemporary music.

Born in Detroit, Krajewski holds degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He attended the Pierre Monteux Domaine School for Conductors and was a Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Darcy, and their cats, Spenser and Foster.

HOUSTON SYMPHONYFounded in 1913, the Houston Symphony is one of America's oldest performing arts organizations, with a rich history of musical excellence. Hans Graf became the orchestra's 15th music director in September 2001.