2020 OMF Festival Season Brochure

music unleashed . . .

m u s i c u n l e a s h e d . . .

OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

Zvonimir Hačko, Director/Chief Conductor

2020

OREGON MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 SEASON: SPRING & SUMMER EDITIONS


OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

2020

Abrishami, Simple Event

Artistic Leadership

Zvonimir Hačko, Director/Principal Conductor

Dimitri Ashkenazy, Director of Chamber Music

Travis Hatton, Music Director, Orpheus Academy

Jetro Meira de Oliveira, Resident Conductor

Carla Trynchuk, Director of String Program

Administration & Management

Jeremy Lillie, General Manager

Edward Stevens, Director of Marketing & Development

Paolo Petrocelli, Director of International Projects

Operations Manager tba

David Foley, Production Manager

Linda Mack, Copywriter & Copy Editor

Laurie Gold, General Editor

Janet George, Orchestra Personnel Manager

Andrew M. Hačko, Social Media

Alyssa Tamayo, Artist Hospitality

Donna Robinson, House Management

Season Imaging & Design

Cover image: Hessam Abrishami, “Simple Event”; Private collection, courtesy of owner

Painting images throughout this publication by Hessam Abrishami

Concert season design by Zvonimir Hačko

Season brochure design by Anna Krasnickaja/Romulus Graphics & Media

Festival photographs by Donna Robinson unless stated otherwise

Contact

OREGON MUSIC FESTIVAL

818 SW 3rd Avenue, No. 251

Portland, Oregon 97204

Tel. (503) 927 2910

Email: admin@oregonmusicfest.org

Website: www.oregonmusicfest.org

Disclaimer: All dates, artists, repertoire and

venues subject to change without notice

© Oregon Music Festival 2019/2020; All rights reserved

CONTENTS

1 Color: Abrishami & OMF 2020

2 Welcome

3 Festival Director/Chief Conductor

4 Concert Listing

5 Featured Artists

7 Ensembles in Residence

8 SPRING EDITION

13 Music Performed this Season

14 SUMMER EDITION

33 Orpheus Academy

34 ACADEMY CONCERTS

39 International Projects

40 FALL EDITION

41 Commissions

43 Ticket Information

________________

COLOR ABRISHAMI & OMF 2020

With the 2020 season OMF continues its inspirational ties

with the visual arts and specifically with the works of Iranian

artist HESSAM ABRISHAMI. To Abrishami, color is the central

dramatic and structural element -- the element that is also

central to the design and the choice of repertoire for our

2020 season.

1.

Recognized world-wide, Abrishami’s style is fundamentally

Romantic, though his language is modern. Loose,

vibrant, colorful, and full of joy, his paintings contain

amazing depth, feeling and dimension that intrigue and

disarm the viewer. He has exhibited throughout Europe,

Asia and North America. The French press has called his

work “a statement in the fluidity of human figures . . . with tension between each figure

-- a kinship that provokes the viewer to seek reasons for such a relationship” -- the

same kind of interplay of expressive language found in the music of our 2020 season.

OMF is pleased to announce that we have received a gift of one of Abrishami’s limited-edition

prints for our new offices - a generous gift from one of our board members.

You can find more about Abrishami at https://hessam-artist.com/.

WELCOME TO OMF 2020

Opening with a new signature piece -- Copland’s

Fanfare for the Common Man -- and ending with the

ecstatic sounds of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, the

2020 season pulsates with vivid colors, extraordinary

artists, dramatic performances and a line up of nearly

fifty major works. The ten-month long celebration,

which extends from March to December of 2020, is

divided into three sections: Spring, Summer and Fall

editions. Each edition contributes in its own way to the

season’s architecture. As a whole, It constitutes the first

part of a two-season fête that marks the festival’s 10-

year anniversary. Appropriately, some 40 soloists and

conductors, three orchestras, four chamber ensembles,

and close to 200 ensemble musicians will perform

16 concerts, marking the apex of the first ten years of

the “most significant musical event to hit the Oregon

concert stage in recent decades.” This is Oregon Music

Festival. You will not want to

miss the occasion.

2.

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR/CHIEF CONDUCTOR

Croatian/American conductor Zvonimir

Hačko became Artistic Director of

Oregon Music Festival in 2014 joining a

distinguished list of artists now serving on

OMF’s Artistic Collegium. A conductor

of international stature, Hačko has held

various Music Directorships with orchestras

in Europe and the United States.

He currently divides his time between

projects and guest conducting appearances

with ensembles in USA, Europe,

South America and Asia.

Born and raised in former Yugoslavia, he

came to the United States to complete

advanced degrees in conducting at the

University of Washington and Indiana

University (Bloomington). Since the late

1980’s he has maintained an active

international conducting schedule leading

such orchestras as Haifa Symphony,

Symphony Orchestra of Brazilian National

Theater, Tbilisi Symphony, Symphony Orchestra of Serbian Radio-Television, Istanbul

Chamber Orchestra, State of Mexico Symphony, Symphony Orchestra of Croatian

Radio-Television, Poznan Philharmonic (Poland), Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana (Italy),

Sacramento Philharmonic, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, and many others. His multicultural

background and experience have contributed to his in-depth knowledge of

the European classical tradition and a keen interest in contemporary music.

Hačko’s current recording projects include a Bohuslav Martinů series with Budapest

Symphony Orchestra (on Naxos label), an all-Italian CD with Roma Sinfonietta, a recording

of contemporary Polish works with London Sinfonietta, and a CD of Respighi’s

tone poems with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Future concert engagements include

performances with St. Petersburg State Capella Symphony Orchestra, Romanian

State Philharmonic Orchestra (at Genoa International Festival), Prague Chamber

Orchestra, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Roma Sinfonietta

Orchestra, Portland Symphonic Choir & Orchestra, opera performances at the Teatro

della Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini (Italy) and, locally, concerts with Oregon Festival

Orchestra.

3.

CONCERT LISTING

Spring Edition

March 12 Eighth Blackbird recital (p. 10)

March 13 On a Wire: Eighth Blackbird & OFO (p. 10)

March 22 Beethoven, Missa Solemnis (p. 12)

Summer Edition

June 21 Tchaikovsky Pathetique (p. 16)

June 24 Dimitri Ashkenazy, clarinet (p. 18)

June 27 Mendelssohn “Reformation” Symphony (p. 20)

July 9 Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 (p. 22)

July 11 Del Sol Quartet (p. 24)

July 18 Dvorak & Mykietyn (p. 26)

July 23 Alexander String Quartet (p. 28)

July 25 Pearl Chamber Orchestra (p. 30)

August 1 Martinů/Mahler Anniversary Celebration (p. 32)

Academy Concerts

July 2 Shostakovich Cello Concerto (p. 36)

July 14 Richard Strauss Oboe Concerto (p. 38)

Fall Edition

Details of the Fall Edition concerts will be announced in the spring

of 2020.

4.

Zvonimir Hačko, conductor

FEATURED ARTISTS

Eighth Blackbird

Antonina Chehovska, soprano

Stacey Rishoi, mezzo soprano

Eduardo Chama, bass-baritone

FEATURED ARTISTS

David Pomeroy, tenor

Scott Ramsay, tenor

Portland Symphonic Choir

5.

Dimitri Ashkenazy, clarinet


Jetro de Oliveira, conductor Hanna Consenz, soprano

Del Sol Quartet

Wojciech Błażejczyk, composer Samuel Krähenbühl, composer

Gerwig & González Piano Duo

Meehae Ryo, violoncello

Paweł Mykietyn, composer

Travis Hatton, conductor

Alexander String Quartet

Jeremy Tai, violoncello

6.

Ryan Roberts, oboe

Oregon Festival Orchestra

ENSEMBLES IN RESIDENCE


The Festival’s main professional orchestra consisting of some of the most prominent

musicians of the Portland Metro area.

Residency: March-December 2020

Concerts: March 13, 22; June 21, 27; July 9, 18; August 1

Pearl Chamber Orchestra

New on the concert scene, Pearl is a chamber orchestra geared toward virtuosic and

rarely heard masterworks dating from the 18th to the 21st century.

Residency: July and November; Concerts: July 25.

OMF Artistic Collegium

OMF’s artistic collective consisting of national and international artists who have

made a significant contribution to the festival’s development and professional standing.

The Collegium remains OMF’s vital artistic resource.

Residency: March-July; Concert: June 24

Orpheus Academy Orchestra

Principal orchestra of Orpheus Academy, This is a scholarship-based, auditioned ensemble

offering talented young musicians professional experience.

Residency: June 20-July 14; Concerts: July 2 & 14


The premiere choral ensemble of the Portland Metro area. PCS performs a wide

variety of major choral works. It is a frequent collaborator with the Oregon Festival

Orchestra.

Residency: March-December; Concerts: March 22, June 21.


A resident string quartet of OMF 2020 season, The Alexander String Quartet is an

ensemble of national significance having won accolades for their impeccable musicianship.

Residency: July 20-25; Concerts: July 23 and 25.

Del Sol Quartet

The Del Sol Quartet is a San Francisco based string quartet known for actively working

with living composers from a wide range of cultural perspectives.

Residency: July 5-11; Concert: July 11.

7.

Eighth Blackbird

A Chicago-based, four-time Grammy-winning sextet which has continually pushed at

the edges of what it means to be a contemporary chamber ensemble.

Residency: March 8-13; Concerts: March 12 & 13

OMF SPRING EDITION

Abrishami, Free from Time

EIGHTH BLACKBIRD

The Grammy-award winning

sextet Eighth Blackbird comes

to Portland for the first time for

a week-long residency that includes

teaching masterclasses,

a recital of chamber music and

a concert with the Oregon Festival

Orchestra. Committed to

move music forward through

advocacy and innovation, the

ensemble has vigorously promoted

works by living composers

and created initiatives for an

emerging generation of musicians.

They have commissioned

9.

and premiered hundreds of

new works thus making a significant

cultural impact on the

legacy of music in this country.

Friday

March 13, 7:30 p.m.

ON A WIRE

Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU

Eighth Blackbird

Nathalie Joachim, flutes

Michael J. Maccaferri, clarinets

Yvonne Lam, violin & viola

Nick Photinos, violoncello

Matthew Duvall, percussion

Lisa Kaplan, piano



Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

Jennifer Higdon: On a Wire

Oregon premiere

Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E Minor

Aaron Copland’s heroic Fanfare for the Common

Man has been chosen as the sonic signature

statement to open the OMF season. A distinguishing

feature of this year’s OMF season is its

array of collaborative concerts, but Jennifer Higdon’s

“On a Wire” written for Eighth Blackbird, is

truly over the top and not to be missed. Higdon

considers this a high-wire-act inspired by the

versatility of this group, the individual musicians

being called upon to exercise their musicianship

in some surprising ways. Sibelius’ first Symphony,

full of pathos and exuberance, brings this opening

concert to a stirring conclusion.

Eighth Blackbird will also be presenting a recital on

Thursday, March 12 at PSU as part of their residency.

TICKETS

Tickets start at $35

Senior and student discount pricing available

10.

MISSA SOLEMNIS SOLOISTS

CHEHOVSKA/RISHOI/RAMSAY/CHA

Ukrainian-American soprano

Antonina Chehovska has

earned critical acclaim for her

prizewinning performance at

the George London Foundation

Competition. Argentinian

bass-baritone Eduardo Chama

has been heard with the New

World Symphony and the Israel

Philharmonic. Americans Stacey

Rishoi and Scott Ramsay

have been featured with orchestras

across the continent

such 11. as the New York Philharmonic

and the Chicago Symphony

respectively.

Sunday

March 22, 4:00 p.m.

BEETHOVEN

MISSA SOLEMNIS

First United Methodist Church, Portland

Antonina Chehovska, soprano

Stacey Rishoi, mezzo soprano

Scott Ramsay, tenor

Eduardo Chama, bass-baritone




Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

MA

Opening this season’s offerings of major choral/

orchestral works is Beethoven’s grand statement

of belief, and claimed by himself to be his greatest

work. A complete performance of the Missa

Solemnis most likely did not occur in the composer’s

lifetime, but his setting of the sacred text,

inscribed “Vom Herzen, möge es wieder, zu Herzen

gehen! “ (Arising in the heart, may it return to

the heart!) lives on, a magnificent work filled with

humble adoration and affirmation of praise.

TICKETS



12.

MUSIC PERFORMED THIS SEASON

Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

Higdon: On a Wire (Oregon premiere)

Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

Bruckner: Psalm 150

Kodály: Psalmus Hungaricus, Op. 13 (Oregon Premiere)

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathetique”

Joseph Horovitz: Sonatina

George Palmer: Sonata (US Premiere)

Tzu-Chin Hsu: TBD New Piece (World Premiere)

Miguel del Aguila: Silencio

Debussy: Premiere Rhapsodie

Charles Zoll: I Remember Summer

Beethoven: Egmont Overture

Krähenbühl: Sinfonia Concertante (OMF commission; world premiere)

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D Major “Reformation”

Smetana: Vltava (Moldau) from My Country

Błażejczyk: Concerto for Electric Guitar (OMF commission; world premiere)

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90

Terry Riley: The Wheel & Mythic Birds Waltz

Gabriela Lena Frank: Kanto kechua

Osvaldo Golijov: The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind

Martinů: Toccata (from Toccata e due canzoni)

Mykietyn: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra (OMF commission; world premiere)

Dvorak: Concerto for Violoncello in B minor, Op. 104

Mozart: Quartet in C major, K. 465 “Dissonant”

Penderecki: Quartet No. 3 “Leaves of an Unwritten Diary” (2008)

Beethoven: Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130

Elgar: Introduction and Allegro

Bloch: Concerto Grosso No. 1

Bartók: Divertimento for Strings

Martinů: Concerto for Two Pianos & Orchestra, H.292 (Oregon premiere)

Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan”

Vasks: Voices of Life; Voices of Conscience (from String Symphony – Voices)

Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1 for Violoncello, Op. 107

Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D Major “Clock”

Richard Strauss: Oboe Concerto

Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C minor

13.

OMF SUMMER EDITION

Abrishami, Idle Afternoon

14.

DAVID POMEROY/HANNAH CON

PORTLAND SYMPHONIC CHOIR

Hannah Consenz is a Portlandbased

soprano -- a superb vocalist

who “sings with agility, accuracy,

nuance and verve.” Internationally

acclaimed for his rich voice and

thrilling upper register, Canadian

tenor David Pomeroy enjoys a

career in the spotlight on some of

the world’s most important opera

stages and concert halls. The Newfoundland

native made his Metropolitan

Opera debut in the title in

Les Contes d’Hoffmann opposite

soprano 15. Anna Netrebko followed

by appearances in the title role of

Gounod’s Faust. Here he tackles

Kodaly’s dramatic work for tenor,

chorus and orchestra.

Thursday

June Sunday 30, 7:30 p.m.

MUSIC June 21, FOR 4:00 p.m.

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

TCHAIKOVSKY PATHETIQUE

First United Methodist Church, Portland

Hannah Consenz, lyric-coloratura soprano





Bruckner: Psalm 150

Zoltán Kodály: Psalmus Hungaricus, Op. 13

Oregon Premiere

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74

“Pathetique”

SENZ

The festival’s summer edition kicks off with blockbuster

choral/orchestral works and a symphony

that pushed the genre to new frontiers.

Bruckner’s Psalm 150 and Kodálys Psalmus

Hugaricus open the concert. The former is a

majestic work which in every way embodies the

essence of 19th-century Romanticism. Zoltan

Kodály’s setting of Psalm 55 is Bruckner’s stylistic

counterpart. Written to commemorate Hungary’s

tragic past, the piece is a dramatic setting of

the Psalmist’s words “Give ear to my prayer, oh

God.” Tchaikovsky’s opinion about his Symphony

No. 6 was that it was his best work. Rather than

the French term “Pathetique” that was attached

to work after his death, the English translation of

the Russian subtitle “Passionate” is a more appropriate

description.

TICKETS



16.

DIMITRI ASHKENAZY, CLARINET

ALAINA DE BELLEVUE, PIANO

Dmitri Ashkenazy performs

widely as both a soloist and

chamber musician. He has appeared

with the Royal Philharmonic

Orchestra at London’s

Royal Festival Hall; Deutsches

Symphonie-Orchester Berlin at

the Hollywood Bowl; SBS Youth

Orchestra at Sydney Opera

House; Czech Philharmonic

Orchestra at the Casals Festival

in Puerto Rico; and Japan

Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan

Symphony and Mito

Chamber 17. orchestras in Japan.

Wednesday

June 24, 7:30 p.m.

RECITAL

DIMITRI ASHKENAZY, clarinet

Lincoln Recital Hall, PSU


Alaina de Bellevue, piano

Joseph Horovitz: Sonatina

George Palmer: Sonata (US premiere)

Tzu-Chin Hsu: TBD New Piece (World Premiere)

Miguel del Aguila: Silencio

Debussy: Premiere Rhapsodie

Charles Zoll: I Remember Summer

Debussy’s haunting Premiere Rhapsodie is presented

alongside a concert of rarely performed

and new works for clarinet and piano featuring

a member of OMF’s distinguished artistic collegium

returning to the delight of festival audiences.

A unique element to this recital program is that

it features both a US premiere, George Palmer’s

Sonatina, as well as the world premiere of a new

piece by composer Tzu-Chin Hsu. The full-range

of the clarinet’s expressive capabilities are on

display on this must-see recital.

TICKETS



18.

ASHKENAZY/PHILLIPS/DE OLIVE

MEIRA DE OLIVEIRA/KRÄHENB

The program features two Brazilian

artists: resident conductor

Jetro Meira de Oliveira and

composer Samuel Krähenbühl.

De Oliveira currently holds a

teaching position at UNASP,

Brazil where he teaches conducting

and musicology. He

has conducted programs in

both the United States and

Brazil including a world-premiere

performance of A Revelação

by James Lee III in 2013.

Krähenbühl is a composer of

19.

note in his native country, having

written for various orchestras

at home and abroad.

Saturday

June 27, 8:00 p.m.

MENDELSSOHN

REFORMATION SYMPHONY

First Baptist Church, Portland


Holland Phillips, viola

Marilyn de Oliveira, violoncello


Jetro Meira de Oliveira, conductor

Beethoven: Egmont Overture

Samuel Krähenbühl: Sinfonia Concertante

for clarinet, viola, violoncello and orchestra

OMF commission; world premiere

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D Major “Reformation”

IRA

ÜHL

Beethoven’s enthusiasm for the subject of

Goethe’s drama Egmont is evident, both in

admiration for the work of the giant of German

literature, but also for the theme of the play—

victory over tyranny. Resident conductor Jetro

Meira de Oliveira then conducts fellow Brazilian

Samuel Krähenbühl’s OMF commissioned piece

Sinfonia Concertante. The concert concludes

with Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” Symphony, a

work that came about due to the composer’s

dream to write a programmatic work to commemorate

the 1830 300th anniversary of the

Lutheran “Augsburg Confession.” Inspirational

qualities and skillful use of the familiar German

reformation chorale “Ein feste Burg” and the

“Dresden Amen” ensure that the symphony’s

popularity with audiences remains constant.

TICKETS



20.

WOJCIECH BlAZEJCZYK

COMPOSER, GUITAR SOLOIST

Wojciech Błażejczyk is a prominent

contemporary Polish

composer, guitarist and sound

engineer. Considered among

the Europe’s creative elite he,

together with his colleagues

Paweł Mykietyn, Agata Zubel

and Paweł Szymański represents

some of Europe’s most

original creative voices on the

current music scene. Błażejczyk

writes both acoustic and electroacoustic

music, as well as

works for the theatre and film.

21.

His works have been performed

at festivals around the world including

Warsaw Autumn, Music

Moderna, Experimentelle Musik

(Munich) and numerous others.

Thursday

July 9, 7:30 p.m.

BRAHMS

SYMPHONY No. 3


Wojciech Błażejczyk, electric guitar



Smetana: Vltava (Moldau)

from My Country

Wojciech Błażejczyk: Concerto for Electric Guitar,

Orchestra & Electronics


Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90

This program opens with Czech composer

Bedřich Smetana’s devoutly patriotic work

Vltava, popularly known by its German title,

Moldau. Second in a set of six symphonic poems

depicting scenes of the countryside, history, or

legends of Bohemia, Vltava captures a love of

homeland by tracing the flow of the river from

its source in the mountains, passing through

the landscape through day and night until, as

a mighty river, it triumphantly enters Prague.

Following the world premiere of Polish composer

Wojciech Błażejczyk’s OMF commission, we turn

back to a classical approach to symphony, a

work that may have been inspired by the great

monument celebrating the German nation. The

Symphony No. 3 is the shortest and most compactly

constructed of Brahms’ symphonies, surely

one of his most poetic and evocative works.

TICKETS



22.

DEL SOL QUARTET

JAMES SHIELDS, CLARINET

Violist Charlton Lee founded

Del Sol after his time working in

an experimental physics group

at Fermilab. He wanted to

bring his scientific passion for

exploration to a string quartet.

Del Sol now is based out of San

Francisco and is at the cutting

edge of modern performance

with concerts both nationally

and internationally. They look

to bring a fresh energy, freedom,

and precision to their diverse

repertoire.

23.

Saturday

July 11, 8:00 p.m.

DEL SOL QUARTET

JAMES SHIELDS, CLARINET


James Shields, clarinet

Del Sol Quartet

Benjamin Kreith, violin

Samuel Weiser, violin

Charlton Lee, viola

Kathryn Bates violoncello

Terry Riley: The Wheel & Mythic Birds Waltz

Gabriela Lena Frank: Kanto kechua

Osvaldo Golijov: The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind

Additional works to be announced

This engaging program of modern chamber

works features a quintet for clarinet and strings

composition by Argentinian born Osvaldo Golijov.

His upbringing exposed him to a diversity of

musical influences including tango, klezmer, and

traditional classical. The piece “The Dreams and

Prayers of Isaac the Blind” recalls the writings of

Isaac, the Kabbalist rabbi, who believed that

everything in the universe was a “product of

combinations of the Hebrew alphabet’s letters.”

Also featured is a work by well-known American

minimalist Terry Riley and Gabriela Lena Frank

- a contemporary American composer whose

captivating music embodies influences of both

European classical tradition and Latin American

folklore.

TICKETS



24.

MEEHAE RYO, VIOLONCELLO

PAWEL MYKIETYN, COMPOSER

Deutsche Gramophone Recording

Artist Ms. Meehae

Ryo’s breathtaking technical

virtuosity and captivating

melody establish her as the

most recognized cellist in the

Republic of Korea. Ms. Ryo’s

performance credits include

collaborations with Berlin Symphony,

Prague Radio Symphony,

Hong Kong Philharmonic,

Seoul Philharmonic and Seoul

Classical Players among many

others.

25.

Saturday

July 18, 8:00 p.m.

DVORAK & MYKIETYN

CONCERTOS


Meehae Ryo, violoncello



Martinů: Toccata

from Toccata e due canzoni

Celebrating Martinů’s 130-year anniversary

Paweł Mykietyn: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra


Dvorak: Concerto for Violoncello in B minor, Op. 104

As part of the OMF Martinů Celebration, this

program features the opening movement of the

Czech composer’s three-movement work, Toccata

e due canzone. The Toccata is dramatic --

a brilliant and compelling perpetuum mobile set

by an oscillating rhythm on the piano.

Polish composer Paweł Mykietyn’s commissioned

piece Concerto for Chamber Orchestra

receives its world premiere on this program -- an

event being looked toward with great anticipation.

The concerto is an intentionally virtuosic

work written for a small group of exceptional

players. The concert concludes with Dvorák’s

majestic and beautiful cello concerto.

TICKETS



26.

ALEXANDER

STRING QUARTET

Founded in New York City in

1981, the Alexander String

Quartet is now based in San

Francisco serving as Ensemble

in Residence for San Francisco

Performances and Directors of

the Morrison Chamber Music

Center at San Francisco State

University. The quartet has

performed in the major music

capitals of five continents securing

its standing among the

world’s premiere ensembles.

Its appearance at OMF 2020

27.

is sponsored by the Friends of

Oregon Music Festival.

Thursday

July 23, 7:30 p.m.

ALEXANDER

STRING QUARTET



Zakarias Grafilo, violin

Frederick Lifsitz violin

Paul Yarbrough, viola

Sandy Wilson, violoncello

Mozart: Quartet in C Major, K. 465 “Dissonant”

Penderecki: Quartet No. 3

“Leaves of an Unwritten Diary” (2008)

Beethoven: Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130

Mozart’s great testament to his admiration of

Haydn was a set of six string quartets to whom

he dedicated them. The last of them, K. 465

acquired the moniker “Dissonant” due to the

adventurous harmonic excursions the composer

takes in the slow introduction. Polish composer

Krzysztof Penderecki has offered in his String

Quartet No. 3 one of his most personal musical

works calling it “a sentimental journey.” The

concert concludes with one of Beethoven’s

“Late Quartets,” the Quartet in B-flat Major,

Op. 130. Tonight the original configuration of six

movements with the Grosse Fuge, an exhaustive

exploration of a single motive, following the

touching simplicity of the “Cavatina” will be

presented.

TICKETS



28.

MUSIC FOR

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Pearl Chamber Orchestra

is a newly formed OMF ensemble

specializing in virtuosic and

rarely heard masterworks dating

from the 18th to the 21st

century. Making up the core

of the Oregon Festival Orchestra,

this group was created to

further spotlight the talented

musicians of this region. The

ensemble played its debut

concert last season, featuring

works by Britten, Vasks and

Grieg, to an enthusiastic approval

29. from the audience.

Saturday

July 25, 8:00 p.m.

PEARL

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA



Pearl Chamber Orchestra


Elgar: Introduction and Allegro

for string quartet and string orchestra

Bloch: Concerto Grosso No. 1

for strings with piano obbligato

Bartók: Divertimento for Strings

The music of this concert is overtly or inspired

by the Baroque form of “Concerto Grosso” but

used in 20th century ways. The music is passed

between a small group of soloists and the full

ensemble. Elgar’s contribution to this idea is a

charming original tribute to Handel. Ernest Bloch,

founding director of the Cleveland Institute of

Music , found himself challenged by students

who were skeptical that old forms and tonality

had any value in the 20th century. His answer

to them was a Concerto Grosso for strings and

piano that proved music with roots in the past

could be exciting. As the flames of war in Europe

were being ignited, Béla Bartók found himself

secluded in a tranquil Swiss town in creating his

Divertimento for Strings.

TICKETS



30.

PIANO DUO

GERWIG & GONZALEZ

Christine Gerwig and Efraín

González Ruano met each

other at the Mozarteum in Salzburg,

Austria. Coming from

different cultural backgrounds

(Germany and Mexico), the

two soloists very quickly realized

an extraordinary symbiosis.

Under their professor Alfons

Kontarsky’s mentorship, the

duo embarked on a journey

toward a greater musical understanding

through the performance

of piano duo literature.

31.

Saturday

August 1, 8:00 p.m.

MARTINŮ & MAHLER

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Newmark Theater, Portland

Piano Duo Gerwig & González



Martinů: Concerto for Two Pianos & Orchestra, H.292

Oregon premiere

Celebrating Martinů’s 130-year anniversary

Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan”

Celebrating Mahler’s 160-year anniversary

Martinů’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra

is a rhythmic tour de force, at times breezily

energetic, relentless, and jazzy. Exuberance,

driving rhythms, and tunefulness are some of

the most noticeable characteristics of his music.

Gustav Mahler’s first symphony threw down

the gauntlet for a new order for the symphony

genre. Representing the world of nature, a world

of human satire, of personal emotional trauma

turned into universal experience, this work sent

shock waves into the world of music.

TICKETS



32.

ORPHEUS ACADEMY

Orpheus Academy is a scholarship-based summer immersion

program for talented young musicians age 15-25. The Academy

offers tuition-free training with internationally acclaimed

artists/teachers. Activities include concerts, recitals, orchestral

training, masterclasses, private instruction and chamber

music for strings, winds and percussion.

Orpheus Academy offers tuition-remission scholarships to all students

accepted into the academy. This season the Academy

will offer thirty-five $2,000 scholarships totaling some $70,000: 12

for winds, one for percussion and 22 in the string area. Students

accepted into the academy will automatically receive a

scholarship which covers all academy activities including masterclasses,

orchestral training, private lessons, chamber music,

as well as free access to all festival concerts and events.

ACADEMY MUSIC DIRECTOR

Travis Hatton’s versatile conducting

career has placed him on the podium

of a broad spectrum of musical

groups in Europe and the United

States. His wide interests have led

him to work with opera companies,

orchestras, chamber groups, choruses

and bands.

33.

Mr. Hatton held two posts during

his five years in Europe (1992 -1997):

Conductor of the Moravian Opera

Theater (Olomouc, the Czech

Republic) and Artistic Director of

the City Opera Theater of Usti nad

Labem (also in the Czech Republic).

During this time, he also guest-conducted

orchestras in Poland, Slovakia,

and the Czech Republic.

ACADEMY CONCERTS

JEREMY TAI

VIOLONCELLO

Cellist Jeremy Tai hails from the

California Bay Area and has

studied at the San Francisco

Conservatory with Jonathan

Koh. He is the recipient of numerous

awards including 1st

prizes in the MTNA National

String Competition, Mondavi

Center National Young Artists

Competition, and gold medalist

of the 2017 Klein International

String Competition.

35.

Thursday

July 2, 7:30 p.m.

SHOSTAKOVICH

CELLO CONCERTO


Jeremy Tai, violoncello

Klein Competition Winner


Jetro Meira de Oliveira, conductor

Pēteris Vasks: Voices of Life

from “String Symphony – Voices”

Shostakovich: Concerto for Cello No. 1, Op. 107

Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D Major “Clock”

Pēteris Vasks’ Symphony for Strings - Voices

(“Balsis”) was composed during the period when

the eastern Baltic countries were fighting to gain

independence. Contrasting this effervescent

opening of the concert are the driving rhythms

of Shostakovich’s first Cello Concerto with plenty

of opportunities for our young cellist to display his

musicianship and virtuosity. Ever popular since its

first hearing in 1794 London, Haydn’s Symphony

No. 101 never ceases to offer surprises, including

not only the “clock” of the second movement

from which the work has received its nickname,

but also the appearance of the village band in

the third.

TICKETS

General seating

Free and open to the public

36.

RYAN ROBERTS

OBOE

Newly appointed English Horn/

Oboe of the New York Philharmonic,

Ryan Roberts has already

established himself as a

major new figure of the classical

music scene. In 2018, he

brought home the first prize at

the International Double Reed

Society’s 2018 Young Artist

Competition and the National

Society of Arts and Letters’

Woodwind Competition and

has premiered Michael Torke’s

Oboe Concertino with the Albany

37.

Symphony.

Tuesday

July 14, 7:30 p.m.

RICHARD STRAUSS

OBOE CONCERTO


Ryan Roberts, oboe

Winner, IDRS Young Artist Competition



Pēteris Vasks: Voices of Conscience

from “String Symphony – Voices”

Richard Strauss: Oboe Concerto

Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor

In Pēteris Vasks’ Symphony for Strings – Voices,

he chronicles Latvia’s struggle for independence

and the hardships encountered in the process. The

high-flying , challenging Oboe Concerto by Richard

Strauss came about through a fortuitous friendship

between the famous German composer and

an American GI, a professional oboe player, John

de Lancie. At the end of WWII as Germany lay in

ruins, de Lancie encouraged the composer, who

had written so beautifully for the oboe in his other

works, to write a concerto for the instrument. At

the age of 19, Schubert completed his Symphony

No. 4 in C Minor. The subtitle Tragic has elicited the

speculation of many commentators as to the real

meaning of this in connection to the work. It does

have a somber opening, but it continually exhibits

the unmistakable spirit of Schubert’s gift for beauty,

youthful exuberance, and profusion of melody.

TICKETS

General seating

Free and open to the public

38.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

OMF is involved in a number of creative projects worldwide. We partner with festivals,

symphony orchestras, opera houses, chamber music ensembles, and solo artists --

from London to Portland and Istanbul to São Paulo. Each project brings new opportunities

for music making, artistic growth, exposure to new repertoire and a taste of

different culture -- an inflow of artistic synergy and multi-level, multi-partner investment

that creates a tide that lifts all boats. Here are some of the organizations, ensembles

and artists we are currently working with:

ITALY

Conservatorio S. Cecilia, Rome

Roma Opera

Genoa International Music Festival

Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra

Fondazione Pergolesi/Spontini

Christian Carrara, composer

BRAZIL

Brazilian National Theater

Claudio Cohen, conductor

Samuel Krähenbühl, composer

Jetro de Oliveira, conductor

UNASP University

Concertos Internacionais PUCRS

POLAND

Polish Music Information Center

Polish Music Centers (USA)

Pawel Mykietyn, composer

Wojciech Błażejczyk, composer

USA

Eighth Blackbird


Third Angle New Music

James Lee III, composer

Shelley Washington, composer

(Kinds of Kings)

Susanna Hancock, composer

(Kinds of Kings)

Portland State University

NEW ZEALAND

Gemma Peacocke, composer

(Kinds of Kings)

IRELAND

Emma O’Halloran, composer

(Kinds of Kings)

Fiola Merivale, composer (Kinds of Kings)

CYPRUS

Maria Kaoutzani, composer

(Kinds of Kings)

ISRAEL

Israel Sinfonietta

ENGLAND

London Sinfonietta

HUNGARY

Budapest Symphony Orchestra

CZECH REPUBLIC

Trio Martinu

Prague Chamber Orchestra

39.

Disclaimer: All dates, artists, repertoire and

venues subject to change without notice

OMF FALL EDITION

Abrishami, detail from Sensations

The concerts of the Fall Edition will be published in the spring

of 2020.

40.

Paweł Mykietyn (Poland)

Concerto for Chamber Orchestra

Samuel Krähenbühl (Brazil)

Sinfonia Concertante

for clarinet, viola, violoncello & orchestra

James Lee III (USA)

Triple Concerto

for bayan, percussion and strings

Wojciech Błażejczyk (Poland)

Concerto for Electric Guitar, Electronics &

Orchestra

Town Portal (Denmark)

“On Violence” -- Symphonic Suite

for rock band & orchestra (2021)

COMMISSIONS

OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

music unleashed

OREGON MUSIC

FESTIVAL IS

COMMITTED TO

THE CREATION,

PROMOTION AND

PERFORMANCE OF

CONTEMPORARY

MUSIC

OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

music unleashed

OMF sees commissioning, performing and recording of new works essential to the

vibrancy of our own community and as a contribution to the international community

at large. For this reason we are engaged with composers, chamber music

ensembles, orchestras and soloists in pursuing new avenues of expression.

Town Portal (Denmark)

An OMF commission in collaboration with the band members: Christian Henrik Ankerstjerne,

guitar; Malik Breuer Bistrup, drums; Morten Ogstrup Nielsen, bass

Commissioned piece: “On Violence” -- A symphonic suite for rock band & orchestra

World premiere planned for OMF Fall Edition 2021. World premiere recording in the spring

of 2022. Topping the European pop charts, TOWN PORTAL is an instrumental experimental

post/math rock/metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark, formed in 2009 from members

of SHELFLIFE (among them guitarists Christian ANKERSTJERNE and Jeppe NIELSSON and bass

player Morten NIELSEN) that was active in 2007-2008. The band has been taking different

shapes and sizes

since then and

started playing live

in April 2010 in Denmark,

also setting

off on a mini European

tour the same

year. In September

2011, they released

their debut EP

“Vacuum Horror.”

Since late 2011 the

band continues as

a trio. Band members

come from

different musical

backgrounds but

they cite MESHUG-

GAH as one of their

common influences

(mainly in the

rhythm and groove

construction) and

they should appeal

to fans of unconventional

math/

post rock/metal.

42.

TICKET

INFORMATION

Single tickets

Single Tickets for the 2020 Festival Season

go on sale on February 1, 2020.

Festival performances start at $35 with

discount pricing available for students and

seniors and a special discount for patrons

registered through Arts for All.

Subscribe

Create your own subscription of 3 or more

concerts starting at $72 and enjoy incredible

benefits

• Guaranteed Seats – Avoid sell-outs and

reserve your seats before the general

public

• Flexibility - Choose any of our 11 amazing

concert offerings with free exchanges

up to 24 hours before the performance

• Value – Save over 30% off of single ticket

prices

• Additional savings– Enjoy a 10% discount

for any other performance you add

throughout the season

• Special Events – Get invites to exclusive

special events


OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

2020

Ways to buy

Online at oregonmusicfest.org, call us at

503.960 0868 or mail in the attached form

Hurry! Order before January 31 to save on

all handling fees!

43.

SEASON TICKETS

Save up to 30% over the single ticket price.

Purchase online or use the Ticket Order Form.

TICKET ORDER FORM

Become a subscriber by selecting any three or more Festival performances and

save over 30%!

Buy before January 31 and we will waive all handling fees!

Step 1 - Build your own package of three or more concerts

Concert 1

Concert 2

Concert 3

Concert 4

Concert 5

March 13: EIGHTH BLACKBIRD/SIBELIUS

March 22: BEETHOVEN, MISSA SOLEMNIS

June 21: TCHAIKOVSKY PATHETIQUE

June 24: DIMITRI ASHKENAZY, CLARINET

June 27: MENDELSSOHN REFORMATION

Concert 6 July 9: BRAHMS SYMPHONY No. 3

Concert 7

Concert 8

Concert 9

July11: DEL SOL QUARTET

July 18: DVORAK & MYKIETYN

July 23: ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET

Concert 10 July 25: PEARL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Concert 11 Aug. 1: MARTINŮ/MAHLER CELEBRATION

PACKAGE PRICES PER SEAT

3 Concerts: $72

4 Concerts: $96

5 Concerts: $120

6 Concerts: $144

Additional concerts add $24 each

# of Seats: ______________________

Package Total: $ ________________

Step 2 - Support OMF and Orpheus Academy with your gift

Suggested Contribution: $25

Other Gift Amount: $_______

Your gift helps support our tuition-free Orpheus Academy which creates an incredible

opportunity for the next generation of artistic talent.

Step 3 - Contact Information & Payment

Name: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City/State/Zip:__________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________

TOTAL DUE: ___________ (Total Package Price + Contribution)

Handling Fees: ($5 per package) Waived if purchased before January 31

Payment Method:

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Name on Card: ____________________________________

Check/Card #: _____________________________________

CVV: _______________________________________________

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Please return this form with payment to:

Oregon Music Festival,

818 SW 3rd Avenue, No. 251

Portland, OR 97204

OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

2020

OREGON

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

818 SW 3rd Ave. No. 251

Portland, OR 97204

PRSRT STD

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PAID

PORTLAND, OR

PERMIT #3540

OREGON MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 SEASON

Spring & Summer Editions

oregonmusicfest.org


2020 OMF Festival Season Brochure

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