PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC LAUNCHES CENTENNIAL SEASON WITH DAZZLING PIANO CONCERTO & ANNA CLYNE’S MYSTERIOUS “THIS MIDNIGHT HOUR”

Posted on October 1, 2023

PORTLAND, OR – Established in 1924, Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP), is the first youth orchestra in the United States to turn 100 years old! PYP opens this historic season with bold and dramatic works, showcasing the full range of the orchestra. Let this orchestra lead you on a journey through the darkest hour into the uplifting embrace of daybreak with Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour, Antonín Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony, and Camille Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with young pianist and 2023 Portland Piano International (PPI) Concerto Competition Winner Nolan Tu. These works will be performed at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on November 11 at 7:30 PM PT live in person or online via professional livestream. This event’s sponsors include program sponsor Leo Lester Browne Fund, concert co-sponsor Shane Weisman of Ameriprise Financial, and official media sponsor All Classical Radio.

Led by PYP’s Musical Director David Hattner, the orchestra has 115 members this year, making it one of the largest ensembles the organization has had in the last century. This incredible group of young musicians present a classic favorite, Camille Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2 for piano and orchestra, featuring piano soloist Nolan Tu. Last performed by PYP in 1975, this piece is sure to amaze the audience as these young artists weave a musical tale of wistful yearning that will evolve into a joyful and triumphant end.

“I love this piece, in particular, because of the emotional journey it takes us on,” said Nolan. “Saint-Saëns had multiple reasons for why he wrote this concerto, one being his interest in experimenting with musical forms and structures. Throughout the entirety of this piece, Saint-Saëns portrayed a diverse, virtuosic take, demonstrated through the fiery passages and cyclitic structure, which can be seen mostly throughout the second and third movement. I’m beyond thrilled to be able to perform this piece with Mr. Hattner and my friends and peers in PYP. I hope that the audience will be deeply moved by our performance!”

The orchestra will also perform two intriguing and mysterious works new to the PYP repertoire: Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour and Antonín Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony.

“This Midnight Hour is a recent work exploring the darker and spookier type of orchestra writing audiences have always loved,” said David Hattner. “Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony is a work that was rarely played in the USA when the orchestra was founded; however, today, many consider it his finest symphony - I certainly do. Dvořák, like many others, explores the journey from darkness to light. Endlessly inventive and deeply musical, it also presents mighty challenges for the players of the orchestra.”

PYP believes in providing exceptional music education to all young musicians, which lends itself to a wonderful musical experience for all to enjoy. With 100 years of thoughtful training, challenging and rewarding compositions, and musical excellence, the musicians of the Philharmonic Orchestra continue to perform at a level that rivals many of their professional counterparts. Experience the magic-like determination and skill of this orchestra for yourself at our five centennial performances, starting this November 11, 2023 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now! In-person individual tickets start at $18 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $8 for students. Livestream passes are $13. To reserve your tickets early and learn more about PYP’s upcoming concerts, composers, and musicians, please visit portlandyouthphil.org/concerts.

Portland Youth Philharmonic Season 100 (2023-2024)

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