Competition winners to perform at the Reser with chamber orchestra in Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons” and Tchaikovsky’s “Pezzo Capriccioso”
Posted on December 8, 2023
The program also features other classics and world premieres for string orchestra
PORTLAND, OR – Celebrate the new year with the Portland Youth Philharmonic advanced chamber orchestra Camerata PYP at their January 5 concert Sound Garden. Happening at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, OR at 7:30 PM, you’ll be delighted by the gorgeous and vibrant variety of music performed at the hands of young musicians.
The program features the runners up of PYP’s 2023 Concerto Competition as soloists and boasts an impressively colorful repertoire for string instruments by Antonio Vivaldi, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Bohuslav Martinů, Randy Bauer, Seattle based composer Bruce Stark, and more.
PYP’s Co-Principal Second Violinist Derek Choi, will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons. Vivaldi’s famous The Four Seasons is full of rich musical imagery, evoking thoughts of tulips in the Spring, blue skies in the Summer, turning leaves in the Fall, and the frosted landscapes of winter, through which Choi and Camerata PYP will take us in January.
“Soloing with an orchestra is always a thrilling opportunity, and I’m excited I get to do so with my wonderful friends and colleagues in PYP,” said Choi. “Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons artfully illustrates a pictorial journey through time, with an expressive literalness that was unprecedented at its inception in the 1700’s. “Winter opens in a gripping cold, brings us to a serene fireside, and ends with a chilling walk down an icy path. I’m excited to share with the audience the captivating colors and emotions of one of Vivaldi’s most beloved works!”
Also on the program is a performance of Tchaikovsky’s beautifully somber Pezzo Capriccioso by PYP’s Co-Principal Cellist Sarah Lee. Composed in 1888, the piece was inspired by his friend who was suffering from a great illness at the time. 136 years later, we can still feel that hauntingly painful moment in Tchaikovsky’s life woven into the piece.
“It is always such an honor and pleasure to get to perform with orchestra, and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to do so with my close friends at PYP,” said Lee. “Tchaikovsky had been tending his terminally ill friend, Nikolay Kondratyev, and amid the harshness of witnessing Kondratyev’s suffering, he wrote the melancholy Pezzo capriccioso. The work opens with a short passionate line, quickly transitioning into a captivating lyrical melody. A scherzo like section interrupts these melancholic musings and reappears at the coda. I am so excited to be able to share the beauty of this piece!”
The program will also feature four world premieres, including Randy Bauer’s House Carpenter, Kamayar Mohajer’s Amoroso for String Orchestra, David W. Pyke’s Desert Suite, and Bruce Stark’s Serenade for Strings. Composed in June of 2023, Stark dedicated his piece to PYP’s Musical Director David Hattner and the musicians of the Portland Youth Philharmonic “in appreciation for their splendid musicianship and vitality.”
“The sound of string orchestra is one of my favorites in the western classical palette, with its capacity for rich, blended timbre as well as a broad range of possible sounds,” said Stark. “True to its title, I wanted to create an attractive piece that sings and dances with beauty, lyricism, and vibrant energy…[PYP’s] wonderful premiere of my Variations for Piano and Strings in 2022 inspired me to create this piece, an offering in gratitude and appreciation of their contribution to music education and the performance of concert music.”
As Stark notes, PYP believes in providing exceptional music education to all young musicians, which lends itself to a wonderful musical experience for all to enjoy. Experience the magic-like determination and skill of Camerata PYP for yourself on January 5!
To reserve your tickets early and learn more about the program and soloists, please visit portlandyouthphil.org/concerts.
Portland Youth Philharmonic Season 100 (2023-2024)
Summary of Event:
Who: Portland Youth Philharmonic’s advanced chamber orchestra Camerata PYP, conducted by Musical Director David Hattner
What: Camerata PYP: Sound Garden
When: Friday, January 5 | 7:30 PM
Where: Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (12625 SW Cres St, BEAVERTON, OR 97005)
Tickets: $20 adults; $16 seniors; $12 students
Program:
- Bohuslav Martinů: Nonet
- Tomáš Svoboda: Folk Concertino for Seven Instruments
- Antonio Vivaldi: Winter from The Four Seasons
featuring Derek Choi, Violin - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Pezzo Capriccioso Op. 62 for Cello and Orchestra arranged by Ken Selden featuring Sarah Lee, cello
- Randy Bauer: House Carpenter (World Premiere)
- Kamayar Mohajer: Amoroso for String Orchestra (World Premiere)
- David W. Pyke: Desert Suite (World Premiere)
- Bruce Stark: Serenade for Strings (World Premiere)
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 America. 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 Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra.