April 9, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … The rich musical flavors of Spain come to life as Music Director Carlos Kalmar leads the Oregon Symphony in three performances of music by Debussy and Ravel with acclaimed Spanish pianist Joaquín Achúcarro on May 8, 9 and 10 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, with an additional performance on Friday, May 7 at Willamette University’s Smith Auditorium. Achúcarro will play “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” by his countryman Mañuel de Falla. Media support is provided by The Oregonian.
Kalmar said he has long wanted to conduct this particular program. “It’s Spanish music, but not written by Spanish composers,” he explains. “Obviously the major part of this music focuses on the temperament of the Spaniards. And in the middle comes Joaquín Achúcarro, the Spanish master pianist, to play a ‘real’ but quiet Spanish masterwork.”
Achúcarro, known as the preeminent keyboard interpreter of the music of his countryman Joaquín Rodrigo, has recorded many works of Spanish and Spanish-influenced music. He performs de Falla’s orchestral tone poem “Nights in the Gardens of Spain,” de Falla’s response to two of the other works on tonight’s program, Debussy’s “Ibéria” and Ravel’s “Rhapsodie espagnole.” “Ibéria” is the second movement from “Images,” Debussy’s last orchestral work. Although he spent little actual time in Spain, Debussy managed to capture the spirit of its music and incorporate it into his own. De Falla himself felt that “Ibéria” exemplified the real essence of Spanish music better than any Spanish composer had done up to that time. Ravel’s “Rhapsodie espagnole,” is his first published work for full orchestra, which demonstrates both his skill as an orchestrator and his own considerable ability to capture the nuances of Spanish music.
In addition to the music of Debussy, Ravel and de Falla, the concert will include Chabrier’s “España,” another example of French fascination with the music of a neighboring country. This piece takes its inspiration from two Spanish dances: the languid and passionate malagueña and the exciting jota, with its driving rhythms.
Oregon Symphony Classical concerts regularly include additional opportunities for listeners to learn more about the music and the orchestra. These activities include:
Pre-concert Talks: KBPS host Shaun Yu and Music Director Carlos Kalmar will lead a discussion one hour before the concert of the works to be performed. Media support for “Pre-Concert Talks” is provided by Classical Millennium.
Saturday: Music Director Carlos Kalmar will speak briefly from the podium in “Saturday Interactive.” Media support for “Saturday Interactive” is provided by KINKfm102.
Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, May 10 at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, with an additional performance on Friday, May 7 at Salem’s Smith Auditorium. Tickets range in price from $17 to $76 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony’s Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Joaquín Achúcarrohas performed in 59 countries with over 201 different orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and London Philharmonic, the Chicago, Dallas and London Symphonies, and many major orchestras of Europe and the Orient. He has performed under an impressive list of over 300 conductors, among them Abbado, Chailly, Mehta, Menuhin, Ozawa and Rattle. Despite an extraordinarily active career, which has had him playing on five continents in one year, he also finds time to perform in dual roles of soloist and conductor with many chamber orchestras throughout Europe. This season included a grand tour with the Berlin Sinfonica, in addition to recording the five Beethoven concerti.
A descendant of Edvard Grieg through a Norwegian grandfather, Mr. Achúcarro displayed exceptional musical talent as a child. Nevertheless, he followed a family tradition of scientific pursuits and entered university to prepare for a future in physics. His musical proclivity prevailed as he became a consistent prizewinner during his student days, winning gold medals in a succession of international piano competitions such as the Gontaut Biron in Paris, the Geneva International Competition and the Viotti International Competition in Italy. His victory at the 1960 Liverpool International Competition (one year after Zubin Mehta won it as conductor) led to his London debut with the London Symphony Orchestra and launched his international career.
In the spring of 1998, Queen Sophia of Spain presented Mr. Achúcarro with the Premio Larios for a lifetime of excellence. King Juan Carlos awarded Achúcarro the very important Gold Medal of Fine Arts in 1995. The Spanish Government has named him Comendador de Número de Isabel La Católica. Mr. Achúcarro has also been awarded the nation’s highest honor in the arts, the Premio Nacional de Musica. He was honored as the only soloist in the closing concert of the World Expo in Seville, and together with Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballé, he performed in the 1993 birthday concert honoring the King of Spain. In the fall of 1999, Unesco named Joaquin Achúcarro “Artist for Peace” and invited him to perform in Paris at a special ceremony of the General Assembly of that organization.
In 1996, Achúcarro was personally requested by Joaquín Rodrigo to make a complete revision of his Piano Concerto. The new version was recorded by Mr. Achúcarro for SONY, published by Ediciones Rodrigo. Mr. Achúcarro’s RCA, ETNOS and Yamaha discography includes 15 titles of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, Ravel, Debussy and Chopin, among others. Best known are his prize-winning recordings of Granados’ “ Goyescas” and the complete piano works by de Falla, including the “ Nights in the Gardens of Spain” and the Harpsichord Concerto with the London Symphony under Eduardo Mata. His latest releases on the Ensayo label are an all-Brahms album, a Ravel album, and one called “ La Nuit.”
Since September of 1989, he has held the specially endowed Joel Estes Tate Chair at Southern Methodist University, adjusting his teaching periods to his busy schedule. Mr. Achúcarro makes his home in Bilbao, Spain.
