Celebrating the Old and the New: A Program of World Premieres Presented by the nation’s first 100-year-old Youth Orchestra!
Posted on April 29, 2024
Featuring all the ensembles of PYP with special performances by PYP’s 2023 Concerto Competition Winner and Pacific Northwest Tribal Drum Group, Four Directions
PORTLAND, OR – Established in 1924, the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) is the longest continually running youth orchestra in the United States! On May 5, 2024, this century-old organization presents a program of brilliant new music at their Spring Concert titled New Beginnings. All of the ensembles of PYP invite you to join them at 4:00 PM at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to enjoy works by Polina Nazaykinskaya, Sylvan Talavera, Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, Nancy Ives, and Charles T. Griffes.
To celebrate the new, this exciting concert opens with the world premiere of Nazaykinskaya’s expressive and emotional Symphony for Strings, performed by the Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE) and their conductor Inés Voglar Belgique. Then the Portland Youth Percussion Ensemble will play the world premiere of PYP alumnus Sylvan Talavera’s examine it carefully, before it’s set ablaze, which was inspired by a single line of text from a song by The Books.
The Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE) will follow these pieces with yet another world premiere Journey by their very own conductor Giancarlo Castro D’Addona. D’Addona describes his piece as energetic and vibrant, seeking to enhance - through its melodies, modulating harmonies and syncopated rhythms - the high range of colors that a wind band offers to listeners.
“Journey was especially composed for PYWE as part of the celebration of PYP’s 100 years, said D’Addona. “It is a tribute to the invaluable labor, work and mark that PYP has left on the great community of musicians, staff, donors, parents, and friends who have been part of it over time.”
Next up is a very special collaborative world premiere performance of The Spirit of the Columbia, by Nancy Ives, principal cello for the Oregon Symphony. The Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra, led by Lawrence Johnson, will be joined to perform this beautiful piece by Pacific Northwest tribal drum group Four Directions and lead singer Harold Paul (Nez Perce).
“When PYCO conductor Larry Johnson approached me about building on my previous collaborative work with Ed Edmo (Shoshone/Bannock) and Joe Cantrell (Cherokee) to write a new piece for PYP’s 100th anniversary celebration, I was deeply honored, and truly inspired by his sincere desire to pay homage to the First Peoples of our region,” said Ives. “The creation of this orchestral tone poem, which recounts the recent history of Celilo Falls, came fully into focus for me through discussions with Harold Paul, who gave me the name by telling us about the spiritual importance of the water and the fish, saying “The People are the spirit of the Columbia.”
The Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra closes out this matinee concert with Griffes’ well-known languorous and tranquil Poem for Flute and Orchestra, featuring PYP’s 2023 Concerto Competition Winner Macy Gong.
“I have treasured every season I’ve been a part of in PYP, and I feel beyond honored to have the opportunity to perform Poem with PYP as a soloist in my final season,” said Gong. “This concert will be particularly special, as you will hear all of PYP’s ensembles, which usually only happens once per year at the annual Concert-at-Christmas. Overall, this concert will showcase the hard work of each ensemble preparing for this penultimate concert of the centennial season!”
With 100 years of thoughtful training, challenging, and rewarding compositions, and striving for musical excellence, the musicians of the Portland Youth Philharmonic continue to perform at a level rivaling many of their professional counterparts. Experience the inspiration, determination, and skill of these musicians for yourself on May 5. Then, join the Philharmonic Orchestra again for a 100th Season Grand Finale concert on May 31 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
In-person individual tickets start at $18 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $8 for students. Livestream passes are $13. To reserve tickets in your favorite section, and learn more about PYP’s upcoming concerts, composers, and musicians, please visit portlandyouthphil.org/concerts.
Portland Youth Philharmonic Season 100 (2023-2024)
Summary of Event:
Who:
- Portland Youth Philharmonic, conducted by Musical Director David Hattner
- Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Johnson
- Portland Youth Wind Ensemble, conducted by Giancarlo Castro D’Addona,
- Portland Youth String Ensemble, conducted by Inés Voglar Belgique
- Portland Youth Percussion Ensemble, coached by Gordon Rencher
What:
New Beginnings, featuring guest artists Pacific Northwest tribal drum group Four Directions and PYP’s 2023 Concerto Competition Winner Macy Gong.
When: Sunday, May 5 | 4:00 PM
Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205)
Tickets:
$18 starting; student/senior/group discounts available
$5 Arts for All tickets
Livestream: $13
Program:
- Polina Nazaykinskaya: Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra (World Premiere)
- Sylvan Talavera: examine it carefully, before it’s set ablaze (World Premiere)
- Giancarlo Castro D’Addona: Journey (World Premiere)
- Nancy Ives: The Spirit of the Columbia (World Premiere), Featuring Four Directions
- Charles T. Griffes: Poem for Flute and Orchestra, featuring Macy Gong, flute, winner of PYP’s 2023 PYP Concerto Competition
Program Sponsor: The Rosanne B. and W. Gregory Berton Family Charitable Trust
Portland Youth Philharmonic
Portland Youth Philharmonic prepares young people for success through musical excellence. PYP is a vibrant community of over 300 young people who explore their passion for music and grow as individuals while making lifelong friendships. The orchestra’s tradition of excellence in education and performance dates to its founding in 1924.
Hear PYP for yourself at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall or at any time on their popular YouTube channel.
David Hattner, PYP Musical Director
David is only the fifth Musical Director in the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s 100-year history, and he is the first to be born in the United States. Former music critic for The Oregonian, David Stabler, commented that under Hattner’s baton the orchestra “Roared like a Maserati!”
Also a noted clarinetist, David Hattner has regularly been featured in recital on All Classical Radio’s Thursdays @ Three. He has appeared recently with Chamber Music Northwest. He served as the principal clarinetist of the Princeton Symphony, New Jersey Opera Theater, and the Cascade Festival of Music. He has also played with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Oregon American, and New Jersey Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra.