Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

Here are some of Portland’s classical music highlights for May and June (also see performing arts and visual arts highlights):

"Falstaff" by the Portland Opera at the Keller Auditorium (Photo courtesy Portland Opera)

Falstaff
May 10-18
Portland Opera, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.

A comic masterpiece, Giuseppi Verdi’s final opera puts Shakespeare’s greatest fool front and center and surrounds him with some of the composer’s finest music.

The Big Oh!
Resonance Ensemble
May 11 (Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road) and May 12 (Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.)

The top-flight choir’s season comes to a climax in a clever concert featuring music about the peak of pleasure, from Verdi, Wagner, Bruckner, Monteverdi, Mozart and other randy classical composers.

Spring Concert
May 12
Portland Youth Philharmonic, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

The quality displayed by the nation’s oldest youth orchestra continues to belie its teenage members’ ages, and conductor David Hattner crafts an excellent program of masterpieces from the 21st (Christopher Theofanidis’s dazzling “Visions and Miracles”) and 20th centuries (Stravinsky’s game-changing “Symphonies of Wind Instruments” and Bartók’s thrilling Concerto for Orchestra), plus Romantic Polish composer Henryk Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2.

Theo Bleckmann, Refuge Trio singer (photo by John Labbe)

Refuge Trio
May 16
Mission Theater & Pub, 1624 N.W. Glisan St.

Two stars of the jazz-meets-contemporary-classical movement, singer Theo Bleckmann and drummer John Hollenbeck, join the superb erstwhile Oregonian pianist/keyboardist Gary Versace in this PDX Jazz concert.

Arrivederci Portland!
PSU Chamber Choir
May 17 (St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 1112 S.E. 41st Ave.) and May 19 (Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ, 4790 S.E. Logus Road, Milwaukie)

The award-winning choristers sing for their plane fare to Italy, where they will be the first American choir to compete in the prestigious, half-century old Seghizzi International Competition for Choral Singing. They’ll regale the judges there, and Portland listeners here, with American folksongs, hymns, spirituals and music by contemporary composers such as Eric Whitacre and Eriks Esenvalds, plus Romantic masters like Verdi, Mendelssohn and Rachmaninoff.

Oh, Those Gershwin Boys
Portland Chamber Orchestra
June 8 (Century High School, 2000 S.E. Century Blvd., Hillsboro) and June 9 (Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road)

Rocky Blumhagen and Susannah Mars join the orchestra for a musical biography of one of America’s greatest masters of music, as viewed from the perspectives of his brother/collaborator Ira and his paramour Kay Swift.

A Muse of Fire
Chamber Music Northwest
June 24 (Kaul Auditorium, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.) and June 25 (Catlin Gabel School,  8825 S.W. Barnes Road)

The venerable annual summer festival kicks off with the renowned husband-and-wife, cellist-and-pianist team of David Finckel and Wu Han, playing music by Brahms, Beethoven and Bruch.

Here are some of Portland’s classical music highlights for March and April (also see performing arts highlights):

Bang on a Can's Michael Gordon

“When Michael Meets Julia”�
Feb. 28-March 1
Third Angle, Alberta Rose Theater, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.

A band, a festival, an organization and a continuing revolution, New York’s Bang on a Can has, for a quarter-century, reinvigorated classical music with the pulsating rhythms of rock, minimalism and other contemporary sounds.

Bang on a Can's Julie Wolfe

For about the same stretch, Third Angle has showcased some of the most original and accessible music being composed in the classical tradition, so this pairing of Oregon’s finest new music ensemble with the striking music of (and appearances by) two of BOAC’s (married) cofounders, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon, is the season’s happiest combination.

“Back in the USSR”�
March 2 (Resonance Ensemble, Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road) and March 3 (Yale Union [YU], 800 S.E. 10th Ave.)

One of the city’s finest collections of singers drawn from other top choirs sings seldom-heard sounds, long imprisoned in the Soviet era’s artistic gulag, by Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Arvo Pärt and other Eastern European composers.

March Music Moderne
March 7-23
Various venues

The annual citywide celebration of contemporary music reveals that, despite the musty programming of too many of Portland’s classical institutions, the 20th and 21st centuries have produced a cornucopia of compelling sounds. All 32 concerts, many free or low-cost, are worth checking out; top picks include the preview party potpourri (March 7), Free Marz String Trio (March 8), Arnica Quartet (March 15), Beta Collide (March 16), Third Angle (March 21) and City of Tomorrow Wind Quintet and Northwest New Music (March 23).

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Here are some of Portland’s music highlights for January and February (see visual arts and performing arts highlights):

Even though March is the main month for new classical music in Portland, both local and touring ensembles warm the winter season with certified classics featuring typically non-starring instruments (cello, bass, recorder, and more), show tunes, film scores, two of literature’s strongest women, and a surprising number of contemporary works.

Photo by Ellen Appel

Takács Quartet
Jan. 21-22
Lincoln Performance Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.

Friends of Chamber Music again brings back perhaps the world’s finest and most passionately powerful string quartet to play masterpieces by Schubert and Haydn, plus (with help from guest violist Erika Eckert) both of Brahms’s gorgeous viola quintets.

“Selva Morale e Spirituale”
Jan. 25
The Ensemble and Wildwood Consort, Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road

Accompanied by the city’s premiere historically informed small ensemble, an all-star lineup of some of Portland’s finest singers performs one of the greatest works of the early Baroque period by the Italian master Claudio Monteverdi.

Rastrelli Cello Quartet
Jan. 27
Lincoln Recital Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.

A city so smitten by the Portland Cello Project will welcome the mostly Russian foursome, which mixes music by classical composers like Tchaikovsky and Bach with pop and jazz stars such as Dave Brubeck and George Gershwin.

Image courtesy Portland Opera

“Tosca“
Feb. 1, 3, 7, 9
Portland Opera, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.

Puccini’s heartbreaking drama of political corruption, love, and betrayal returns.

“Penelope“
Feb. 2
FearNoMusic, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.

In the most exciting classical music event of the season, the Portland new music ensemble brings composer Sarah Kirkland Snider’s new song cycle (with vocals by the bold pop/new music singer Shara Worden, from My Brightest Diamond) that tells the story of the Odyssey from the perspective of Odysseus’s loyal wife, left behind to fend off suitors while he sought adventure abroad.

“Baroque Journeys“
Feb. 8
Kaul Auditorium, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.

Chamber Music Northwest brings back two favorites from its summer festival—the world’s greatest recorder player, Danish virtuosa Michala Petri, and the oboe master Alan Vogel—plus other guests to perform an all-Baroque program of music by J.S. Bach, Telemann, Corelli, Beethoven and more.

Image courtesy www.chi-chinwanoku.com

“Virtuoso Bass. Vienna c1780“
Feb. 15-16
Portland Baroque Orchestra, First Baptist Church, S.W. 12^th Ave. and Taylor St.

The fabulous Nigerian-Irish virtuosa Chi-chi Nwanoku joins the excellent historically informed period instrument ensemble for an unusual program of music by Haydn, Mozart and more that features the deep dark sounds of the acoustic double bass.

“Music of Film“
Feb. 22 (Portland Chamber Orchestra, Village Church, 330 S.W. Murray Blvd., Beaverton)
Feb. 23 (Scottish Rite Temple, 1512 S.W. Morrison St.)

The inventive pocket-sized symphony plays award-winning movie soundtrack scores.

“From Broadway to the Met“
Feb. 23-24
Choral Arts Ensemble, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3228 S.W. Sunset Blvd.

The choir sings choruses from opera composers Puccini, Verdi and Wagner as well as hits from American stage musicals.

“Hough Plays Liszt“
Feb. 23-4
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

Another great pianist, another program featuring music of Beethoven (“Symphony #2”) and Paul Hindemith (“Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber”), this one also features one of today’s most visionary classical pianists performing Franz Liszt’s big “Piano Concerto #2.”

“When Michael Meets Julia“
Feb. 28-March 1
Third Angle, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.

Oregon’s oldest new music ensemble plays the music of two of today’s most prominent American composers, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon, two of the founders of New York’s transformative Bang on a Can organization that has helped make new classical music hip and sustainable again.

Here are some of Portland’s music highlights for September and October (see visual arts and performing arts highlights):

Portland’s classical music scene has several areas of strength, including the Oregon Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Carlos Kalmar, numerous groups devoted to new music, and several more delving deeply into chamber and early music. And it’s a highly participatory scene, too — your neighbor at a concert is likely to be a musician, too.

“The Bard Sings”
Resonance Ensemble
Oct. 27 (Agnes Flanagan Chapel Lewis & Clark College, 0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Road) and Oct. 28 (First Presbyterian Church, 1200 S.W. Alder St.)

The top-notch professional chorus sings settings of Shakespeare texts.

Gerhardt Plays Tchaikovsky
Oct. 27 & 29
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway

The title work, featuring the return of Portland favorite Alban Gerhardt, this time playing the Russian romantic composer’s cello Variations on a Rococo Theme, isn’t even the best part of this concert, which also features a suite from Sergey Prokofiev’s great 20th century ballet Romeo and Juliet and the 1999 breakthrough work by one of the 21st century’s leading composers, English star Thomas Ades’s Asyla. (more…)

Here are some of Portland’s music highlights for July and August (see theater and visual arts highlights):

Oregon Bach Festival

Through July 15
Various venues

Based in Eugene (where most of the concerts still happen) for four decades,  one of the nation’s most important classical music festivals has recently expanded to other cities, including Portland. Matthew Halls, who takes over as festival music director after next season, conducts the first Oregon performance of British composer Michael Tippett’s 20th century choral classic “A Child of Our Time” at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on July 6; while Oregon harmonica master Joe Powers leads a tango show with dancers at PSU’s Lincoln Hall on July 11.

Andreas Klein - photo courtesy of Portland Piano International

Portland Piano International
July 12-15
World Forestry Center, 4033 S.W. Canyon Road

The annual conglomeration of recitals, lectures, films, master classes and more for pianophiles includes contemporary music specialist Gilbert Kalish playing music by Charles Ives, Beth Levin performing Beethoven, and Andreas Klein playing romantic masters.

Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
July 20-22
Cathedral Park

Some of the city’s top jazz acts, including Quadraphonnes, Go by Train, Trio Subtonic, and more, convene in the summer’s premiere outdoor jazz event under the St. Johns Bridge. Bonus: It’s free!

PDX Pop Now!
July 22-24
Refuge PDX, 116 S.E. Yamhill St.

Several dozen of the city’s finest bands — and not just pure pop, either — heat up the annual summer indie music weekend, which is also free.

Chamber Music Northwest
Through July 29
Various venues

Offering more than 30 concerts, the grandaddy of Portland summer classical music festivals continues its move toward youth by bringing back 20-something acts such as the young Amphion Quartet (who’ll perform in pop music venues), and the crossover trio Time for Three, along with its usual roster of big name guest stars from New York classical music circles. Led by clarinetist and longtime artistic director David Shifrin, these include twin string quartet titans the Emerson and soon-to-retire Tokyo Quartets, recorder virtuosa Michala Petri, boss bassist Edgar Meyer, hot pianist Jeremy Denk, another collaboration with BodyVox dance, and much more.

Pickathon
Aug. 3-5
Pendarvis Farm, 16581 S.E. Hagen Rd., Happy ValleyNot just for bluegrass fans, this year’s lineup includes world music stars (Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars, Bombino); local singer songwriters (Laura Gibson, Alela Diane); Portland faves Todd Snider, Blitzen Trapper and Y La Bamba; retro pop diva Neko Case; and much more.

Northwest String Summit
Aug. 9-12
Horning’s Hideout, 21277 N.W. Brunswick Canyon Road, North Plains

The outdoor bluegrass — and more — festival includes newgrass legend Darol Anger, banjo barn burner Danny Barnes, Yonder Mountain String Band and New Riders of the Purple Sage, among others.

William Byrd Festival

William Byrd Festival
Aug. 10-26
St. Stephens Church, 1112 S.E. 41st Ave.; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave.; Holy Rosary Church, 375 N.E. Clackamas St.

The annual tribute to England’s greatest Renaissance composer includes choral concerts, organ recitals, lectures, masses and other liturgical services.

It was date night and I had to come up with something special to placate the better half.  Lucky for me, an e-mail  hadpopped into my inbox earlier in the week with the perfect date idea: Catching the Oregon Symphony’s performance of “The New World Symphony.”  With Musical Director Carlos Kalmar at the helm, I knew we would be in good hands as we slipped into our seats.

Big sounds quickly filled the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall as we were treated to a phenomenal auditory experience for the next hour and a half.  About 20 minutes in, I had my first awe-inspiring moment, which came in the form of a question: Why has it taken me so long to attend a performance of classical music?  It was amazing.  Angie and I were treated to a firsthand look at the expert as Carlos Kalmar cued a section to play and sound burst forth as the music shifted around the orchestra.  The guest of honor, German cellist Alban Gerhardt, offered a stunning performance of the monumental creation by Prokofiev.  Needless to say, this was an experience I’m ready to relive in the near future.

When you’re ready to have your own classical music epiphany, the Oregon Symphony and I will be there with you.  For a full lineup of performances, visit the Oregon Symphony’s website, www.orsymphony.org.

This fall’s classical music season is far more eclectic than in days of old when warhorse symphonies dominated. The concert of the season, for example, might be S? Percussion’s account of Steve Reich and John Cage, and the Oregon Symphony’s fall season features Dawn Upshaw singing great American songs and a Pink Martini collaboration. On the other hand, Portland Baroque Orchestra will settle in for Vivaldi and In Mulieribus will sing a program of women composers, ancient and contemporary. Here are some of the highlights.

Thomas Lauderdale and Storm Large

Oregon Symphony with Pink Martini – Sept. 11-13
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1111 S.W. Broadway

Pink Martini pianist Thomas Lauderdale isn’t just classically trained — he’s a longtime symphony supporter and current board member, so these collaborations between the city’s orchestra (fresh off its Carnegie Hall triumph) and its bubbly retro-Latin big band amount to much more than the usual crossover fare.

Portland Vocal Consort – Sept. 11
The Grotto, 8840 N.E. Skidmore St.

In a free tribute to the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, the choral ensemble will sing some of history’s most moving requiems by Spanish Renaissance composer Tomas Luis de Victoria and Samuel Barber, as well as patriotic songs.

Uri Caine

Uri Caine – Sept. 20
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St.

The latest in Portland Piano International’s intimate, edgier series brings the jazz-tinged classical pianist and composer to town to explore the delightful possibilities along the boundaries of each genre.
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Travel Portland is working with Oregon Arts Watch, a new, nonprofit journalism enterprise, to cover upcoming art exhibits, performances and events in the city.

Here are some of this summer’s music highlights (see visual arts and theater highlights):

Emerson String Quartet (photo credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

Chamber Music Northwest
Various venues
June 20-July 24

The summer center of Portland’s vital chamber music scene, the 30 concerts in the 41st annual edition of this festival include the world premiere of a new clarinet quintet commissioned from composer Marc Neikrug (July 1); classic unfinished works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert and others completed by leading contemporary composers and performed by the Brentano String Quartet (July 9); and perhaps the world’s most accomplished classical foursome, the Emerson Quartet (July 16). (more…)

Sometimes, the winter weather in Portland can be a bit … dicey.  Fortunately for us, we have a great arts scene that provides some cozy distractions, from festivals (the Jazz Festival and the Portland International Film Festival are on right now) to season-long offerings from companies like the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony and White Bird Dance.

Now through the end of March, downtown Portland’s performing arts organizations have teamed up to provide a break from the winter doldrums with a 2-for-1 offer on select performances.  Shows include STOMP, Alvin Ailey Dance, and a piece from Oregon writer Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  In addition, local restaurants and retailers are providing dining, shopping and parking discounts to showcase the full downtown Portland experience.

These deals are open to locals and visitors, so check out the details at downtownportland.org.

Bright new (energy-efficient) lights came on in downtown Portland’s cultural district today with the grand re-opening of Portland State University’s renovated Lincoln Hall.  Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and PSU President Wim Wiewel presided over the ribbon cutting in the 465-seat venue that will host national and regional dance, theater and music companies such as White Bird’s Uncaged dance series, Friends of Chamber Music, NW Dance Project and PSU’s own symphony and theater programs.  There’s already a buzz around town about PSU’s world-renowned opera program’s presentation of Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene” next spring.  (Note to theatergoers – there  are excellent venues such as Higgins bar nearby for deconstructing the evening over a post-performance pint!) (more…)