classical

Program Notes for Miró Quartet and Soprano Karen Slack by Aimée M. Petrin

Dear Friends, As I write this, I am watching the Facebook Live presentation of #KikiKonversations – a virtual series created by soprano Karen Slack and featuring composer/artivist Daniel Bernard Roumain in conversation. Together, they are talking about their lives and professions as Black musicians in the mostly white world of classical music. (You can watch the recording on Youtube by … Read more

Program Notes for Miró Quartet & Soprano Karen Slack by Philip Carlsen

Notes on the Program Notes written and voiced by Philip Carlsen LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   There has been much chamber music written in the past century for solo singer with mixed instrumental ensemble of winds and strings, sometimes also including keyboard or percussion. Arnold … Read more

Program Notes for Janice Carissa by Philip Carlsen

Notes on the Program Notes written and voiced by Philip Carlsen LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Enrique Granados: Maiden and the Nightingale   The three great Spanish composers who came of age around the turn of the last century are principally known for works celebrating their … Read more

Program Notes for Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble by Philip Carlsen

Notes on the Program Notes written and voiced by Philip Carlsen LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Today’s program displays a striking symmetry. Each half opens with a single-movement Baroque composition, contrapuntal and abstract, which serves as a kind of prelude to the large-scale Romantic piece … Read more

Program Notes for New York Philharmonic String Quartet by Philip Carlsen

Notes on the Program Notes written and voiced by Philip Carlsen LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756 – 1791) String Quartet in C major, K. 465 (“Dissonance”) Mozart’s C major quartet, K. 465, is one of six quartets that he dedicated to his friend … Read more

Program Notes for Sphinx Virtuosi voiced by George Lopez

Sphinx Virtuosi

Notes on the Program Notes Provided by Sphinx Virtuosi – Voiced by George Lopez, Bowdoin College Artist in Residence LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Xavier Foley (b 1994) Ev’ry Voice This work is an homage and pays tribute to the Black National Anthem. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was … Read more

Program Notes for Alexander Malofeev by Mary Hunter

Alexander Malofeev

Notes on the Program By Mary Hunter, A. LeRoy Greason Professor of Music, Emerita at Bowdoin College LISTEN to these program notes on Youtube LISTEN to these program notes on Spotify   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sonata in C Minor, K. 457 Mozart’s C-minor sonata was written in 1784, in Vienna, for the pianist Therese Trattner, … Read more

Program Notes for Pacifica Quartet by Melissa Reardon

Pacifica

Notes on the Program By Melissa Reardon, Artistic Director of the Portland Chamber Music Festival LISTEN TO THESE NOTES ON SPOTIFY LISTEN TO THESE NOTES ON YOUTUBE It was pure pleasure getting to know the works on this program, all of which were new to me. It was especially thrilling to hear such a wealth … Read more

Program Notes for Fauré Quartett by Aimée M. Petrin

Faure Quartet

Dear Friends With 90 years of bringing the finest classical music to Portland-area audiences, who would ever have imagined we’d be doing so virtually?     Despite the changes in the world this past year, what hasn’t changed is Ovations’ dedication to classical and other chamber music forms; connecting our audiences LIVE with extraordinary performers from around … Read more