Contact: Allison Griffin
Public Relations Associate
503-416-6347
April 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Music Director Carlos Kalmar will lead the last Oregon Symphony classical concert of the season, “Premiere and Grand Finale,” on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, May 21 at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The program will open with Franz Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony
No. 8. Although it is the composer’s most popular symphony, there are no
remaining documents explaining why Schubert composed this symphony. Some have
suggested he had reached his limit creatively with this work, and decided to
put it aside rather than produce a piece that did not reach his high standards.
Regardless of the reason, the piece described by 19th century critic Eduard Hanslick
as “a sweet stream of melody, despite the power and originality so crystal
clear that one can see every pebble on the bottom.”
Kalmar and the orchestra will also present the world premiere of Symphony No.
12 by Robert Kyr, contemporary composer and University of Oregon professor. Subtitled
the “Armed Man Variations,” he responds to the wars that have raged
during his lifetime. Kyr describes this music as “a vision of global conflict
transforming into peace.”
“My Twelfth Symphony was commissioned by and dedicated to Carlos Kalmar
and the Oregon Symphony,” Kyr said. “Knowing this conductor and orchestra
well, I have written it expressly for my friends and colleagues, whose artistry
never ceases to impress and inspire me.”
The program will conclude with Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (“A
Hero’s Life”). There is much controversy surrounding Strauss’ role
in Germany after the Nazi Party came to power. Some say he was constantly apolitical,
and never cooperated with the Nazis completely. Others point out that he was
an official of the Third Reich. Several noted musicians disapproved of
his conduct while the Nazis were in power, among them Arturo Toscanini, who famously
said, “To Strauss the composer I take off my hat; to Strauss the man I
put it back on again.” Strauss was later tried and absolved of any Nazi
ties or affiliations.
Tickets start at $20 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. Support
for the concert is provided by the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer
CARE Foundation. Media support is provided by The Oregonian and
KINK fm.
Images and guest artist bios are available at www.orsymphony.org/media.