Notes by Philip Carlsen Listen to these notes on Youtube Listen to these notes on Spotify Conrad Tao has put together an astonishing, provocative program that dances back and forth across the hazy boundary between notated music and improvisation. It encourages us to think about composing and improvising as a never-ending, wide-ranging conversation that musicians … Read more
Notes by Philip Carlsen Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Quartet in E-flat major, K. 493 (1786) Johannes Brahms, Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (1861) Mozart settled in Vienna in 1781 at age 25, making a definitive break from Salzburg and his father’s control, determined to chart his own career path from that … Read more
Notes on the Program by Philip Carlsen We are fortunate that many of Bach’s original manuscripts have survived. Most are readily available for viewing or pdf download at imslp.org, the International Music Score Library Project. The six Brandenburg concertos, notated in 1721 in Bach’s own hand as a gift for Christian Ludwig, the Margrave of Brandenburg, … Read more
Notes on the Program by Philip Carlsen Si-roc-co: A “hot dust-laden wind from the Libyan deserts that blows on the northern Mediterranean coast.” Si-roc-co: A musical wind blowing across the north Atlantic from Manchester, England, bearing tantalizing scents from South Africa, Mali, Denmark, and eighteenth-century Vienna, a visionary collaboration between violinist Rakhi Singh, cellist Abel … Read more
Notes on the Program by Philip Carlsen Our soloist, the renowned Chopin interpreter Zlata Chochieva, has prepared a recital with Chopin at its center, framing his music with pieces written in tribute to him by two great Russian pianist-composers of a later generation. It’s worth noting that those composers, Alexander Scriabin and Sergei Rachmaninoff, had an … Read more
Dear Friends, Welcome to the magical world of MOMIX where things are not always as they seem. Bodies curl and unfold to reveal ethereal, ephemeral beings and shapes or, in this case, the surreal wonderland inhabited by Alice and her friends. MOMIX’s “Alice” is a wonderful portal into the world of dance, with Alice and … Read more
Dear Friends, Welcome to the first performance of Portland Ovations’ 93rd season. You are amongst those experiencing a very special program in a very special space. From the artistry and historical significance of the program to the joyful partnerships and collaborations to moving out into the community to bring music to new and unexpected venues … Read more
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 FELIX MENDELSSOHN String Quartet in E-flat, Op. 12 (1829) The astonishing octet of Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), written when he was only sixteen, was played on a Portland Ovations concert … Read more
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
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
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