Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
September 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … For the first time in its 110-year history, the Oregon Symphony will be performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 on September 23 and 24. The performances will also mark the Symphony’s completion of the composer’s entire cycle of piano concertos.
Russian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa, the featured soloist for the concert, has been recognized as “the kind of talent that comes along once in a generation.” She has been featured in her own PBS special, “Valentina from Miami” as well as on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Music Director Carlos Kalmar first discovered Lisitsa while conducting at Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival, where she has appeared each summer for seven consecutive years. Her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was described by the Chicago Sun-Times as “jaw-dropping”.
Rachminanoff began work on his final piano concerto in 1914, and completed it twelve years later. The piece illustrates a wildly emotional journey, at times agitated but concluding with a sweeping romantic theme.
The concert opens with Steve Mackey’s Lost and Found, which was originally written for the electric guitar. Often described of offbeat and quirky, the piece is influenced by Mackey’s origins as a rock and jazz guitarist. He joined the faculty of Princeton University in 1985 and was appointed Professor of Music in 1993 before composing the piece in 1996.
In addition to the Rachmaninoff, Kalmar and the Symphony will present Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, “Italian.” He composed the piece after a year-long jaunt in Italy as a young man, and it reflects both the exuberance of a new adventure and introspection of the experience.
Richard Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks will
conclude the concert.
Written in 1894, The piece describes
the antics of the title character, and his eventual capture and
execution. Strauss drew criticism from some people who viewed
his music as too modern, and many believe that this work allowed
him to illustrate his distaste for convention.
Performances are scheduled for Saturday, September 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 24, at 2 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $88 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and Saturdays starting September 9). Tickets may also be charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or online at www.orsymphony.org. Discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are available through the group sales hotline at (503) 416-6380.
Kuni Automotive is the official automotive sponsor of the 2006-07 Classical series; this performance is sponsored by Lufthansa, the exclusive airline of the Symphony’s 2006-07 Classical series. Media support is provided by The Oregonian, KINK fm102 and KBPS Classical 89.9 fm.