music

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

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear Friends, Thank you for joining us for New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. From Jelly Roll Morton to Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino all the way up to the revered Allen Toussaint – this performance is about the  music and musicians that make New Orleans great. One of the things that stands out about NOJO is their ability to … Read more

Folk Music in Maine: An Enduring Legacy – By Paul F. Wells

Editor’s Note: This week, Ovations welcomes Grammy nominated Avi Avital and Bridget Kibbey to our classical music series on Tuesday, February 18. Avital is an Israeli mandolinist who specializes in renditions of both the Baroque classical repertory and—given his instrument—folk traditions. He has moved over his career from mandolin transcriptions of violin and fiddle music … 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

Gabriela Montero: ‘Westward’ Program Notes by Linda Russell

compositions by age six, a rudimentary opera at nine, and his first symphony at ten; he became a student at the St. Petersburg Conservatory at thirteen. During his study at the conservatory, Prokofiev gained respect for the music of Haydn and Mozart, for the elegant dance forms of the eighteenth century, and for the transparent sonority … Read more