Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
January 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Under the baton of Guest Conductor David Alan Miller, the Oregon Symphony will be exploring a symphony based on “the immortal and unhappy hero of every fair in all countries” in Stravinsky’s Petrouchka on Sunday, February 11 at 2 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Stravinsky’s animated music and use of orchestral color brings to life the raucous carnival in which the story takes place. Vaclav Nijinsky, who danced the title role in the ballet’s 1911 premiere, labeled the puppet Petrouchka “the mythical outcast in whom is concentrated all the pathos and suffering of life.” The first of its four scenes opens with the atmosphere of a carnival, summoning street performers, magicians and gypsy girls. The final scene finds Petrouchka’s ghost, in defiance, thumbing his nose at the frightened Magician, who flees in terror.
The concert is the third of a new series called Inside the Score. The series is designed for both newcomers and aficionados alike, and explores the historical and cultural perspectives of the composer’s life and times through increased interaction between audience members, the conductor and musicians. The concerts will lend a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a piece of music that might not be accessible through their own initial research.
Frequently in demand as a guest conductor, Miller has worked with most of America’s major orchestras and is also founder and artistic director of “New Paths in Music,” a festival in New York City dedicated to presenting the works of significant non-American composers who are not yet well known in the United States. Recent honors include Columbia University’s 2003 Ditson Conductor’s Award, the oldest award honoring conductors for their commitment to American music. Additionally, he received the 2001 ASCAP Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming and, in 1999, ASCAP’s first-ever Leonard Bernstein Award for Outstanding Educational Programming.
Tickets are $16 to $55 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office, located at 923 S.W. Washington. Ticket office hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be charged by phone at (503) 228-1353 or (800) 228-7343, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (503) 224-4400. Discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are available through the group sales hotline at (503) 416-6380. American Airlines is the exclusive airline of the Symphony’s 2006-2007 Inside the Score Series. Media support is provided by The Portland Tribune.