André Watts and Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Gospel Christmas, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Portland’s favorite New Year’s Extravaganza featuring Pink Martini, Storm Large, The von Trapps, and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
PORTLAND, OR – Whether Portlanders are looking for great classical, swinging jazz, or holiday concerts guaranteed to make them stand up and cheer, it’s all here this month at the Oregon Symphony, which opens December with acclaimed pianist André Watts performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto. One of the Oregon Symphony’s best-loved traditions, Gospel Christmas, returns with three uplifting and energetic concerts featuring the Northwest Community Gospel Choir. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy inspires dancing in the aisles with their toe-tapping celebration of American swing, and we ring in the New Year with a celebration featuring Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Portland’s own Pink Martini, joined by special guests Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, and The von Trapps.
SATURDAY, DEC. 2
SUNDAY, DEC. 3
MONDAY, DEC. 4
ANDRÉ WATTS PLAYS GRIEG
When and Where: Dec. 2, 3, and 4 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. (Note: this concert will also be performed in Salem on Dec. 1 at 8 pm. See orsymphonysalem.org for more information.)
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with guest conductor Leo Hussain; *André Watts, piano
The Program:
Kokkonen: Symphonic Sketches
*Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor
Sibelius: Valse triste
Nielsen: Symphony No. 5
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
Tickets: begin at $24 and can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
FRIDAY, DEC. 8
SATURDAY, DEC. 9
SUNDAY, DEC. 10
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS
When and Where: [Editors: please note different starting times] Dec. 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm, and Dec. 10 at 4 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with guest conductors Charles Floyd and Terry Davis, featuring the Northwest Community Gospel Choir, and Gary Hemenway, music director.
The Program: A high-energy Gospel performance of holiday favorites.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On the Northwest Community Gospel Choir: http://bit.ly/2hgM0Vw
On Charles Floyd: charlesfloyd.com
On Terry Davis: terrydavismusic.com
Tickets: begin at $35 and can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
SATURDAY, DEC. 16
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
When and Where: Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony with Associate Conductor Norman Huynh; *Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Scott Morris, vocals/guitar; Kurt Sodergren, drums; Dirk Shumaker, bass/vocals; Andy Rowley, bari sax/vocals; Glen “The Kid” Marhevka, trumpet; Karl Hunter, saxophones/clarinet; Joshua Levy, piano/arranger; Alex Henderson, trombone)
The Program: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will announce their program from the stage.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: bbvd.com
Tickets: begin at $25 and can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
SUNDAY, DEC. 17
COMFORT AND JOY: A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS
When and Where: Dec. 17 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with Associate Conductor Norman Huynh and the Oregon Chorale
The Program: Light holiday classics and seasonal favorites, including Ding Dong Merrily On High, The 12 Days of Christmas, selections from J. S. Bach’s Christmas Cantata and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and an audience sing-along of favorite tunes.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On the Oregon Chorale: oregonchorale.org
Tickets: begin at $20 and can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
FRIDAY, DEC. 30
SATURDAY, DEC. 31 – Two performances
PINK MARTINI NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA
When and Where: Dec. 30 at 7:30 pm and Dec. 31 at 7 and 10:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with Music Director Carlos Kalmar, Pink Martini, The von Trapps, China Forbes, Storm Large*, Ari Shapiro, Cantor Ida Rae Cahana, and the Portland Symphonic Choir (*12/31 performances only)
The Program:
Pink Martini favorites, including songs from their most recent album, and the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth, the “Ode to Joy.”
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Pink Martini: pinkmartini.com
On China Forbes: chinaforbes.com
On Storm Large: stormlarge.com
On Ari Shapiro: npr.org/people/2101154/ari-shapiro
On The von Trapps: vontrapps.net/vontrapps
On Cantor Ida Rae Cahana: milkenarchive.org/artists/view/ida-rae-cahana/
On Portland Symphonic Choir: pschoir.org
Tickets: Begin at $45 and can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6 pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
Beyond the Schnitz
Oregon Symphony Community Engagement Programs
The Oregon Symphony and its musicians are deeply involved in the community, in places that stretch far beyond the confines of our concert hall. This month, activities include:
ABOUT THE OREGON SYMPHONY
The Grammy-nominated Oregon Symphony ranks as one of America’s major orchestras. Led by Music Director Carlos Kalmar, it serves over 235,000 people annually through more than 90 concerts and award-winning education and community engagement program. Now in its 121st season, the Oregon Symphony is the oldest orchestra west of the Mississippi.
An unprecedented 2016/17 Season broke records in virtually every category, drawing historic attendance and revenue. These numbers were propelled by a 20% increase in the number of classical concerts, three groundbreaking SoundSights concerts, and the broadest-ever range of repertoire. Its 2017/18 Season builds on this success in a trailblazing new series, The Sounds of Home, which combines music and art to reflect on three critical issues in our community – immigration, the environment, and homelessness.
Season subscriptions, including Choose Your Own packages and Gift Cards, are available through the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office at 503-228-1353. Photos for media use are available at orsymphony.org/newsroom.
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