The Portland Youth Philharmonic excelled in presenting a varied and challenging concert on Saturday evening (May 1) at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Led by its music director David Hattner, the orchestra performed works by Gabriel Fauré, Francis Poulenc, and George Enescu, plus a piece by contemporary composer Stephen Dankner. All of these pieces were premieres for the Portland Youth Philharmonic, which made it an exceptional adventure for the musicians, many of whom would be graduating from the orchestra to play next year in college and conservatory orchestras.
Dankner completed Albrecht Dürer – The Apocalypse of St. John in 2006 for the 60th anniversary of the Nürnberg Symphoniker. This work was inspired by three of Dürer’s 15 woodcuts scenes from the Book of Revelation. They were published in 1498 and made Dürer famous throughout Europe.
The orchestra tackled Dankner’s challenging work with gusto. The ensemble didn’t flinch from the many passages that were dominated by a strident tone, of which several were interlaced by interjections from the celesta and xylophone. The orchestra also accented close-knit chords to create a sense of struggle and turmoil. In one impressive section of music, the ensemble successfully built up a tremendous amount of tension and then released it like a balloon so that it effortlessly vanished.
Many members of the orchestra deserved kudos for their exceptional contributions to the overall effect of this piece. Superb playing came from the trumpets (especially during a plaintive passage) the principals of the string sections (including a big solo by principal cellist Jinn Shin), the horns, and the woodwinds. Overall, it was a genuine team effort that made this piece understandable and emotionally rewarding.
After the intermission, the orchestra performed two French works with the Pacific Youth Choir. The first was Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane (Opus 50), in which the chorus and orchestra evoked a mood of melancholy and grace with slow turning and elegant phrases. A highlight of the piece was an exceptional solo by principal flutist Emma Davis.
After the Pavane, the orchestra and chorus performed Francis Poulenc’s Gloria, which is a setting of the Roman Catholic Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory be to God on high) text. The combined forces found the charm and joy of this music, but didn’t back away from its angular sounds and mystic qualities.
Cara Gabrielson, an 18-year-old soprano from Beaverton High School, sang the solos with a smooth, gorgeous tone and excellent diction. The chorus, prepared by Mia Hall Savage, also sang outstandingly with power and fine pronunciation.
The concert opened with George Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 2 in D major (Opus 11). The lush and large sound from the violins at the beginning of the piece established a stately tone, which gradually transitioned to the atmosphere of a happy-go-lucky folk-dance at the end. Accenting the overall performance with fine playing were Riley Crabtree, principal oboe, Kelsey Johnson, English horn, and Gabe Seymour, principal percussion (for his playing of the timpani).
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Additional note: Executive director of the PYP, Diane Syrcle received a couple rounds of applause for her leadership. Syrcle is leaving the PYP to become the executive director at Oregon Ballet Theatre.
