My preview of the Beethoven's Ninth season finale with the Vancouver Symphony and the Portland Symphonic Choir is available in The Columbian newspaper hereThe Columbian newspaper here.
Northwest Reverb - Reflections by James Bash and others about classical music in the Pacific Northwest and beyond - not written by A.I.
The adventurous PYP organization recently performed a concert of new works. You'll find my review of it in OAW here.
My latest preview piece - this time for the Bach Cantata Choir - is now available one at oregonlive.com here. It will be in the print edition of The Oregonian this Friday.
From the Press Release:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the PSU Steinway Piano Series has reconfigured its Spring 2024 Residency. The Series will no longer be hosting Oxana Yablonskaya this May, but instead, will proceed with events by featuring the “brilliantly evocative” (International Piano) pianist Tom Hicks. The Series’ founder and director, Susan Chan writes, "We will greatly miss our experiences this spring with the legendary pianist Oxana Yablonskaya, but hope to reschedule a visit with her soon. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming the incredibly impressive Tom Hicks to PSU for what promise to be beautiful and impactful performances and masterclasses.”
Tickets already purchased for the May 10th PSU Steinway Piano Series recital remain valid. Should anyone who has already purchased tickets to the recital wish to relinquish their ticket and receive reimbursement due to this program change, they may make this request by contacting the Box Office at 503-725-3305 or tickets@pdx.edu.
Spring 2024 Residency: Friday - Sunday, May 10 - 12
CONCERT:
Music at Night starring Tom Hicks
This program, inspired by the night, shares works for the piano that are dreamy and atmospheric, and also includes nightmares and fantasies. The concert begins with several of Chopin’s most celebrated nocturnes, before exploring other beloved works of the genre by Scriabin, Debussy, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Clara Schumann. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata concludes what promises to be a popular program with finger-twisting fireworks.
Friday, May 10 at 7pm - PSU Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75
$25 General Admission; $10 Students, Seniors, PSU Faculty/Staff, OMTA teachers
GUEST ARTIST MASTER CLASS:
With guest pianist Tom Hicks and featuring current and former PSU students
Saturday, May 11, 7 pm - PSU Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75
FREE and open to the public
FACULTY MASTER CLASS:
With PSU piano faculty Susan Chan and featuring students from the community
Sunday, May 12, 2 pm - PSU Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75
FREE and open to the public
TICKETS: Available at pdx.edu/music-theater/
From the Press Release:
PORTLAND, OR - All Classical Radio announces the release of ELEVATE, the second installment from its award-winning Recording Inclusivity Initiative, GRAMMY® award-winning Navona Records, and PARMA Recordings. ELEVATE will be released digitally on all streaming platforms on May 10. CDs will also be available later in the year.
ELEVATE is a testament to the power of composers and musicians uplifting each other. The recording brings to life the sonatas of Japanese composers Yuko Uébayashi and Nobu Kōda, and a string quartet by Damien Geter, with performances by leading classical performers: pianist María García, All Classical Radio's 2022-2023 Artist in Residence; Yoko Greeney, piano; Jennifer Arnold, viola; Martha Long, flute; Nancy Ives, cello; Emily Cole, violin; Inés Voglar Belgique, violin; and Ruby Chen, violin. All the tracks were recorded in Portland, OR.
To address the inequities in the classical music recording industry, the Recording Inclusivity Initiative is highlighting music from underrepresented communities to build a more diverse and inclusive soundscape around the world. The album follows AMPLIFY, released in 2022.
About the Composers and their Music
Yuko Uébayashi (b. 1958) – Sonata for Flute and Piano
The music of Japanese-born composer Yuko Uébayashi is described as impressionistic, while also evoking Japanese film music. When creating her pieces, Uébayashi often starts with someone specific in mind, drawing inspiration from the artistry of fellow prominent musicians. She only accepts commissions from people with whom she feels a distinct connection.
Written between 2002-2003, Uébayashi’s Sonata for Flute and Piano, in four movements, is dedicated to flutist Jean Ferrandis and pianist Emile Naoumoff. A highly personalized piece, the sonata offers a challenging, albeit rewarding, opportunity to explore the composer's evocative musical language.
Nobu Kōda (1870-1946) – Sonata in E-Flat Major; Sonata in d minor
Nobu Kōda (1870-1946) is historically significant for composing some of the first works ever written by a Japanese composer in the Western style. After graduating from the Tokyo Music School, Kōda became the first student to receive a government grant to study abroad, first in Boston, then in Vienna. In 1895, she returned home and joined the staff at the Tokyo Music School.
Several of Kōda's known works were written during her tenure there, including her Sonata in E-Flat Major (1895), in three movements, and the single-movement Sonata in d minor (1897) for violin and piano. After nearly 15 years of teaching at the institution, Kōda resigned because of rejection and criticism from her male colleagues. She spent the rest of her career instructing female members of the royal court. Kōda's legacy lies in her role as a musical forerunner.
Damien Geter – String Quartet No. 1, Neo-Soul
Damien Geter is a composer, actor, and bass-baritone. In his compositions, he focuses on social justice, uplifting and also challenging his audiences. He thoughtfully infuses classical music with styles from the Black diaspora, such as jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues.
Commissioned by All Classical Radio in 2020, Neo-Soul was the precursor of the Recording Inclusivity Initiative, driven by the need to build a more diverse and inclusive soundscape in America. The quartet is an ode to the genre of music that became popular in the 1990s and put a spin on the classic sound of soul. The piece consists of three movements: I. "Bop"; II. "Feelin' Some Type of Wayz"; and III. "Please Don't Kill My Vibe."
About the Recording Inclusivity Initiative
All Classical Radio’s Recording Inclusivity Initiative is a response to the classical music industry’s longtime need for greater diversity, with the purpose of increasing awareness and opportunities for previously marginalized artistic communities. The Recording Inclusivity Initiative was made possible in part by the generous support of the Oregon Cultural Trust, The Sorel Organization, the Regional Arts and Culture Council, and IBEW Local 48. Learn more at recordinginclusivity.
About All Classical Radio
All Classical Radio is an independent, community-funded radio station and multimedia platform with international reach. It is consistently ranked in the United States' top three classical radio stations. The network is recognized for its bold collaborations and outreach, and for broadcasting 98% locally-produced programming, including innovative music playlists, interviews, and live broadcasts. Home to the award-winning Recording Inclusivity Initiative and the International Children's Arts Network, All Classical Radio is one of the first classical stations in the nation to name artists in residence and to develop robust youth journalism mentorships. Learn more at www.allclassical.org.
Martha Long and María García recording Yuko Uébayashi: Sonata for Flute and Piano
Photo credit: Jason Quigley |