August 20, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Music Director and Conductor James DePriest and the Oregon Symphony open the ever-popular "Symphony Sundays" series with a concert that features Symphony violinist Ronald Blessinger performing Aaron Jay Kernis' "Air for Violin and Orchestra" at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.
An Oregon native, Blessinger performs extensively throughout the state and abroad, and is the current artistic director of Portland's Third Angle New Music Ensemble. Since joining the Oregon Symphony in 1990, Blessinger has also been Concertmaster of the Peter Britt Music Festival Orchestra, Principal Second Violin of the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria, and is currently the Concertmaster of the Cascade Festival in Bend, Ore. He also has been a frequent soloist with the Oregon East Symphony and the Cascade Festival.
This program features an eclectic mix of newer American music and selections from the standard symphonic repertoire. The concert opens with American composer Benjamin Lees' "Passacaglia," followed by excerpts from Schubert's "Symphony No. 8 in B minor ("Unfinished") and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral"), and Aaron Jay Kernis' "Air for Violin and Orchestra." The second half continues this blend of old and new with Michael Daugherty's "Sundown on South Street," followed by two movements from Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 5 in D Major, Op. 107 ("Reformation"), and the second and third movements of William Schuman's "New England Triptych."
DePreist and the orchestra will record the Lees and Daugherty works Sept. 26 as part of DePreist's first of three "American Contrasts" recordings, made possible by the Gretchen Brooks Recording Fund.
The 2002-2003 James DePreist Tribute Season is a celebration of DePreist's immeasurable contributions and achievements during 23 years as the Symphony's Music Director and Conductor.Though this is DePreist's last season as Music Director, his relationship with the orchestra and the community will continue indefinitely in his new role as Laureate Music Director. During his tenure, DePreist has transformed the Oregon Symphony to major orchestra status, with a national reputation for quality and innovation, while increasing concert activity and even greater service in the areas of education and community programs.
The concert is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets are $22 for adults, $13 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (530-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.