RECOLLECTION & APPRECIATION BY GERRY AMATO (PJS 1976)

Posted on November 22, 2019

It is true what they say…...that when one reaches a certain age he or she reflects back to important events in their life. This is certainly the case for me being a member of the PYP back in the early to mid ‘70s. The experience I gained as a musician cannot be forgotten. It was a time of great importance for me, not just as a percussionist and timpanist, but as a young person put onto a stage with a musical ensemble unrivaled for our age group anywhere near the Portland area. It helped me to establish my professionalism and musical degree of excellence that I have been able to carry with me for nearly half a century.

As many other wonderful musical events unfolded for the next several decades, I never forgot the memorable concerts with the PYP (then the Portland Junior Symphony), and the friendship and honor I had working with then musical director and mentor Jacob Avshalomov (known to the inner circle as ‘Mr. A’). His dedication and command with the orchestra really set the standard for me with all the conductors I have worked with subsequently. His calm demeanor and love of the craft was unmistakable, and all of us in the orchestra continuously wanted to perform our best to give him the results he so well deserved.

There were so many performances and countless great works we performed during my tenure with the orchestra. Most memorable was one in November 1975 when we played Dvorak’s 9th symphony. This was always one of my favorite pieces, and when I found out I was playing timpani I was ecstatic. The timpani part to this work is remarkable and extremely powerful, and I was about to have my dream fulfilled by performing it with this great orchestra. After the performance Mr. A gave me one of the best compliments I ever received as a musician. He told me I sounded just like my cousin Joe Amato who played timpani and percussion with the Portland Symphony (now Oregon Symphony) for many years prior. Joe was regarded as one of the most astonishing percussionists in the country and I felt quite honored to be mentioned with that kind of company.

Last spring, I contacted the PYP office to see if by chance they still had the old reel-to-reel tape of that concert, and to my amazement they did! I’d been thinking about this concert and wanting a copy of it ever since. They were actually in the process of digitizing recordings from other formats, and agreed to send me a copy. They were so kind and generous to do this for me, and I am truly grateful. I just received a CD copy of the concert, 44 years after the performance. It was very emotional for me listening to this piece and thinking back to how much enjoyment I had with that orchestra, Mr. A, and the once-in-a-lifetime experience it, in fact, was.

Thank you PYP, Mr. A, and all the gifted musicians I had the pleasure of performing with for those short four years I was with the orchestra. That experience enriched my life greatly. I appreciate all of you and you will always be remembered.