September 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major, “The Great,” is paired with the U.S. premiere of the shortest four-movement symphony ever written as Music Director Carlos Kalmar makes his Sundays at Two series debut with the Oregon Symphony in a concert that also features Principal Second Violin Chien Tan performing Vivaldi’s “Goldfinch” concerto on treble violin on Oct. 16 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. American Airlines is the exclusive airline sponsor for the Symphony’s Sundays at Two series.
Schubert’s last symphony, an audience favorite, is also one of the longest symphonies in the orchestral repertoire, lasting just under one hour, while Austrian composer Kurt Schwertsik’s innovative and unconventional “Shrunken Symphony” is approximately six minutes long. Artistic Administrator Charles Calmer describes this combination of short and long symphonies as “highly contrasting” and adds, “This program encapsulates everything from a compressed but humorous symphony to Schubert’s classic work.” In between the two symphonies, Principal Second Violin Chien Tan performs Vivaldi’s “Goldfinch” concerto on the treble violin, a 20 th century high-tech addition to the violin family.
“The Great,” so-called because of its length, is one of the 19 th century’s most significant orchestral works. Fellow composer and music critic Robert Schumann praised Schubert’s “heavenly length,” and added, “How refreshing is this feeling of overflowing wealth!” With its seemingly endless supply of exquisite melodies and its grand overall design, Schubert achieved his goal of writing a symphony worthy of the legacy of Beethoven.
The four short movements of Schwertsik’s “Shrunken Symphony” embody the essence of symphonic writing while showcasing the vibrant textures and colors of the orchestra. “It’s the haiku of symphonies,” says Calmer. “Schwertsik’s music maintains a high artistic standard while acknowledging the influences of popular music.” The “Shrunken Symphony” was commissioned by the Mozarteum Salzburg and was first performed on December 31, 1999 at the Mozarteum by the Camerata Salzburg under Roger Norrington.
Tan has been playing treble violin, an acoustically engineered instrument approximately one-quarter the size of a standard violin, since 2003. The treble violin has an exceptionally high range, sounding an octave higher than a standard violin; the highest string is made of high-tech carbon rocket wire, which is necessary to withstand the extreme tension of its tuning. In 2004 Tan released a self-produced DVD entitled “Vivaldi Goldfinch” which features her performing the first movement of Vivaldi’s concerto on the treble violin. Her performance combines the some of the oldest and newest aspects of classical music as she plays music from almost 400 years ago on an instrument less than 50 years old. “The range and style of Vivaldi’s ‘Goldfinch’ concerto complement the sparkling clarity of the treble violin’s unique sound,” says Tan. “The bird calls sprinkled throughout the work seem appropriate for this instrument.”
The performance is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range in price from $16 to $22 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Customer Service Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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.
Chien Tan is rapidly establishing herself as one of the leading treble violinists of her generation. The treble violin is part of the violin octet created primarily by Dr. Carleen Hutchins, founder of the New Violin Family Association. Tan began mastering this unique instrument in August 2003 and made her first public appearance at Chamber Music on Tap in Portland.
A native of Nova Scotia, Canada, Tan played the piano, ukulele, and recorder before finally settling on violin at the age of ten. She received her undergraduate degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music. When Tan first heard the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, it greatly inspired her to consider an orchestral career. However, Tan was also interested in contemporary music, so she went to graduate school at the California Institute of the Arts, a college known for its artistic and interdisciplinary experimentation.
Tan began her professional career in Los Angeles, where she contributed to two Sony Classical CDs and performed on the Grammy Awards stage with artists as diverse as Aerosmith, Vince Gill and Luciano Pavarotti.
A principal second violin with the Oregon Symphony and member of the Oregon Symphony String Quartet, Tan has performed with the Pacific Symphony, the Opera Pacific and has participated in the Grand Teton and Colorado Music Festivals. As a teacher she was a faculty member at the Community Music Center in Portland, and has been an occasional violin coach for the Portland Youth Philharmonic.
Inspired by the treble violin’s potential, Tan independently produced a music video entitled “Vivaldi Goldfinch.” This DVD debut on Goldfinch Records is being marketed to cable channels in North America and abroad.
In 2005 Tan will premier new works or classical and jazz arrangements for treble violin, and perform in Ithaca NY, Washington, D.C, Massachusetts, and the Pacific Northwest.
