classical

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

Performance Notes: AURAL EXPLORATIONS: FARRIN, FURE, AND MESSIAEN

Experience International Contemporary Ensemble, live streamed in your home! Thursday, May 28, 7PM on Youtube FREE REGISTRATION Dear Friends, When we embarked on our work with International Contemporary Ensemble (I.C.E.) we knew it would be wholly unique and unforgettable for Ovations audiences. At that time we imagined a modified version of their ambitious chamber opera, … Read more

New York Philharmonic String Quartet Program Notes by Linda Russell

many concert tours to display his prodigious talent. During the next ten years Mozart developed as a composer by imitating and expanding the various styles that he encountered during his travels Mozart’s string quartets span his life—from the earliest at age 15 to the more sophisticated compositions a year before he died. They also trace … Read more

Avi Avital & Bridget Kibbey Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear Friends, After three attempts and at least as many years, it is a thrill to finally bring to Portland Grammy nominated mandolinist Avi Avital. We are doubly fortunate to have with us his equally stellar collaborator Bridget Kibbey, credited as the “Yo-Yo Ma of the harp.” We are grateful you’ve chosen to spend your evening with … Read more

Avi Avital and Bridget Kibbey Program Notes by Linda Russell

court organist and chamber musician to the Duke of Weimar, came just five years later. During his tenure (1717-23) as Music Director at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, Bach composed the majority of his instrumental chamber music. During this time Bach developed his instrumental style to supreme mastery, writing works for violin, cello, … Read more

Improv on Immigration: Gabriela Montero Rocks Maine

By Linda Nelson, Portland Ovations Deputy Director Immigration. It is the hottest and most critical issue of our era. Pianist and Venezuelan ex-pat Gabriela Montero knows this dearly enough to have built a performance around what she called “a very emotional theme.” Montero’s unique program, “Westward,” was presented by Portland Ovations as part of an … Read more