The Portland Youth Philharmonic to Perform West Coast Premiere of “April Song” A symphony in celebration of the return of Spring by American Composer, Polina Nazaykinskaya
Posted on April 19, 2022
PORTLAND, OR – The Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP), the country’s longest running youth orchestra, invites you to join them in-person at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on May 8, 2022 at 4:00 PM for April Song: Nazaykinskaya & Saint-Saëns. This event will also be livestreamed.
Named after Polina Nazaykinskaya’s symphony “April Song”, this concert is a celebration of Spring and the new beginnings this time of year represents. PYP is eager to premiere this gorgeous piece containing Slavic themes, which envelop listeners in its warm, full sound. Polina’s unique composition welcomes spring with great energy!
“My First Symphony traces a journey of the human spirit in search of personal freedom, solace and eternal love,” Polina says in a program note for the piece. “With the rebirth of nature after a dreadful winter’s spell, the inner doubts start to dissipate and open a pathway toward greater acceptance and gratitude. The spirit is able to break from the shackles of hopelessness and rise as the Phoenix from the ashes.”
Preceding Polina’s piece, PYP will journey into the romantic and graceful music that is Saint-Saëns’s Violin Concerto No. 3 with soloist Katie Liu, the 2021 PYP Concerto Competition Winner.
“[The Concerto] starts with a bold, dramatic opening, followed by a beautiful and mellow contrasting theme,” Katie said of the piece. “It is graceful and passionate, yet energetic. I love the way Saint-Saëns expresses so many different emotions and I hope the audience can take away the story that Saint-Saëns conveys through his music.”
The evening’s program will also feature performances from the PYP Wind Ensemble, conducted by Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, and the PYP Conservatory Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Johnson. This portion of the program includes performances of Jean Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26, No. 7, John Barnes Chance: Variations on a Korean Folk Song, Julia Perry: A Short Piece for Large Orchestra, and Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1, 3rd movement.
PYP believes in providing excellent music education to all young musicians, which lends itself to a wonderful musical experience for all to enjoy. With thoughtful training and challenging and rewarding compositions like Nazaykinskaya’s and Saint-Saëns’s, the Philharmonic Orchestra performs at a level that rivals many of their professional counterparts. PYP hopes you will come hear for yourself on May 8th. To learn more about the concert, composers, musicians, and to purchase tickets, visit portlandyouthphil.org/concerts.
PYP is a member of the Portland Performing Arts Vaccine Coalition. To attend the performance, PYP requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test, administered by a healthcare provider within 72 hours of the event. All people ages 5 and up will also be required to wear masks over nose and mouth while inside the concert hall.
In-person tickets start at $10 for seniors, $15 for adults, and livestream passes are $13; inperson tickets may also be purchased at the venue door.
Summary of Event:
Who: Portland Youth Philharmonic, conducted by Musical Director David Hattner
What: PYP April Song: Nazaykinskaya & Saint-Saëns
When: Sunday, May 8 | 4:00 PM
Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205)
Tickets:
• $10-$60, student/senior discounts available
• $5 Arts for All tickets
• Livestream only: $13 for concert
Program Highlights:
• Polina Nazaykinskaya: Symphony No. 1 “April Song”
• Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3, Katie Liu, violin soloist
PORTLAND YOUTH PHILHARMONIC
Portland Youth Philharmonic is a vibrant community of over 250 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
David Hattner is only the fifth Musical Director in the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s 98-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 Portland’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.