Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
September 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Instruments as renegade characters? Scandalous lyrics about Soviet leaders? Melancholy puppets? Three non-conformist composers bring some of their most innovative works to the Oregon Symphony’s “Out of the Ordinary” Classical Concert on October 1 and 2. The concert opens with contemporary composer Rodion Shchedrin’s Naughty Limericks. The jazzy piece is a variation of a Russian folk art form called the chastushka. “It’s really a ‘Russian Rap’,” said Resident Conductor Gregory Vajda. “During the communist era, workers would chant these songs to lift their spirits during the work day. But they were also used to discreetly satirize unfavorable Soviet leaders, like Stalin.” An independent thinker, Shchedrin utilizes some rather unconventional techniques.
“The instruments are used in different ways—you’ll see the horn section hitting the mouthpiece of their instrument to produce a different sound, or tapping their music stand,” said Vajda.The Symphony will also perform Berlioz’ Harold in Italy. Principal Violist Joel Belgique will be the featured soloist. The viola is utilized to represent Harold, the central character. Berlioz drew inspiration from his travels in Italy, and the three movements represent a different mood and location. The first movement finds Harold in the mountains, reflective and melancholy. By the last movement he is intoxicated, in a “furious orgy where wine, blood, joy, rage, parade their intoxication.”
The concert will conclude with Stravinsky’s Petrouchka. The piece musically documents four scenes of a puppet theatre. The first scene opens at a carnival, where three puppets are introduced: Petrouchka, the pathetic clown, is shunned by the Magician. Petrouchka confesses his love for the Ballerina, but is shunned. Stravinsky uses the instruments to provide a snapshot of a single action at the carnival: ladies socializing, drunken revelry and dancing. By the end of the piece Petrouchka prevails, returning as a ghost and frightening away the Magician.
Performances are Sunday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, October 2, at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $88 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office, located at 923 S.W. Washington. Ticket office hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased anytime online at www.orsymphony.org or charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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. Media support is provided by The Oregonian. Lufthansa is the exclusive airline of the Symphony’s 2006-07 Classical Series.