The music of DakhaBrakha is not only pulsing, beautiful, and rich in ghostly reminiscence, it also invites a deep wake-up call. Join Grammy Award-winning recording artist and composer Eugene Friesen as he sifts through the alluring folk-rock sound of the quartet to uncover the edgy, challenging cultural message beneath. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 5:30 – 6:30 … Read more
This pre-performance lecture traces gospel music’s roots to embarking upon a journey from African American spirituals, hymnody, and choirs of the Black church experience, along with the profound influence on R&B, soul, rock, and hip-hop. Gospel music is not a genre of song, but a powerful testimony of the global pursuit for liberty and justice … Read more
Under the surface of the virtuoso technique required by Debussy’s Études, they also demand a kind of virtuosity in interpretation to get to the heart of Debussy’s insistence on the intrinsic relationship between beauty and mystery. This talk will be a process of discovery and an experiment in interpretive listening as we unpack Debussy’s last major work for … Read more
A century ago, chamber music concerts were rare in America. Orchestras and solo recitalists dominated the classical music stages. What changed? Popular lecturer, author, and musician, Dr. Thomas Wolf, traces the developments, institutions, and star musicians who popularized this extraordinary form of music, discussing the role played by Espressivo’s performers and the importance of the works … Read more
Despite the prominence of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos today, all but one of them were supposedly left unplayed until the nineteenth century. Join Nick Smolenski in a discussion about the invisible creativity of musicians and artists during the Baroque period, and how “rediscovery” informs our perception of their repertories. ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair accessible. Assistive Listening Devices available, ASL available … Read more
Welcome to the Wild, Wacky, Wonderful World of the FLUKES, Portland’s Fun-Loving Ukulele Society! Join Director Nina Allen Miller and members of the ensemble as share their process for selecting and perfecting a wide variety of tunes—from Bach to the Beatles and beyond. INFORMATION TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024 – 5:45 – 6:30 PM MERRILL AUDITORIUM … Read more
George Lopez, Beckwith Artist-in-Residence at Bowdoin College, discusses Frédéric Chopin’s revolution in keyboard technique and style and its impact on late 19th century composers in Europe and Russia. ACCESSIBILITY Wheelchair accessible. Assistive Listening Devices available, ASL available upon request. Click here to learn more about accessibility at Hannaford Hall. 2023-24 Chamber Pre-Performance Lecture Series curated by … Read more
Join Portland Ovations before the concert with Jerusalem Quartet for a pre-performance lecture with Dr. Thomas Wolf, flutist and founder of Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport. Wolf’s book, The Nightingale’s Sonata, which describes his five-generation Jewish musical family, won the Sophie Brodie medal for the top literary work on Jewish subjects in 2019. Wolf will discuss … Read more