August 27, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Music Director Carlos Kalmar opens his second season with the Oregon Symphony with two works that portray the beauty and power of the natural world, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” and Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” on Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Media support is provided by The Oregonian. Lufthansa is the exclusive airline sponsor for the Symphony’s Classical series.
The Symphony opens its 109 th season with two of the most requested works by symphony audiences, according to Artistic Administrator Charles Calmer. “In pairing these two blockbusters of symphonic repertoire, Kalmar juxtaposes Beethoven’s musical melodies with the driving rhythmic primitivism served up by Stravinsky,” Calmer explains. As part of his ongoing commitment to making connections with the audience, Kalmar will once again co-present all the pre-concert talks for each concert he conducts this season.
Kalmar and the orchestra open the evening with the traditional playing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by Beethoven’s paean to nature, the “Pastoral” Symphony. Audiences will recall this music from Walt Disney’s original “Fantasia;” as its graceful flowing melodies describe the beauty of the countryside so dear to Beethoven, a lifelong nature lover.
The second half of the concert is devoted to Stravinsky’s signature work, “The Rite of Spring,” which caused a riot at its 1913 premiere and has become the quintessential example of 20 th century music. This singular work, with its compelling rhythmic patterns and exotic orchestral colors, depicts ancient primal ceremonies, including virgin sacrifice, for the pagan god of Spring.
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: Music Director Carlos Kalmar and Shaun Yu, morning host at KBPS All Classical 89.9, 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, Sept. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range in price from $18 to $80 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.
