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PORTLAND, OR – The Oregon Symphony’s December lineup shines with joyful music, film, and theatrical performances. Internationally renowned violinist James Ehnes, hailed by The Times of London as “a violinist in a class of his own,” plays Walton’s Violin Concerto in a concert that also features Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances on December 1–3; Gospel Christmas celebrates its 20TH anniversary with the release of its first CD, available for sale during performances on December 7–9; Cirque de la Symphonie’s world-class aerialists, strongmen, acrobats, and other circus artists perform eye-popping acts made magical with live orchestra and a suite of classical holiday favorites on December 13; the Popcorn Package continues with Tim Burton’s modern classic The Nightmare Before Christmas featuring Danny Elfman’s award-winning score on December 15–16; orchestral and choral holiday favorites take center stage for our Comfort and Joy classical concert on December 17; and we swing into the New Year with Duke Ellington’s jazzy Nutcracker Suite and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on December 30–31.
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
SUNDAY, DEC. 2
MONDAY, DEC. 3
RACHMANINOFF’S SYMPHONIC DANCES
When and Where: Dec. 1 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 2 at 2 pm, and Dec. 3 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Note: This concert will also be performed in Salem on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 pm. For more information, go to orsymphonysalem.org.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with guest conductor Eivind Gullberg Jensen; *James Ehnes, violin
The Program:
Hillborg: Exquisite Corpse
*Walton: Violin Concerto
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Eivind Gullberg Jensen: eivindgullbergjensen.com
On James Ehnes: intermusica.co.uk/artist/James-Ehnes
Tickets: begin at $24
FRIDAY, DEC. 7
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
SUNDAY, DEC. 9
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
When and Where: [Editors: please note different starting times] Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at 7:30 pm, and Dec. 9 at 4 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony with guest conductor Charles Floyd; *Northwest Community Gospel Chorus®.
The Program: A high-energy performance of Gospel and holiday favorites, including Holy Night; Carol of the Bells; O Come, All Ye Faithful/I Can’t Hold It; Psalm 150; Do You Hear What I Hear?; Away In A Manger; Emmanuel; and Joy to the World.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Charles Floyd: charlesfloyd.com
On the Northwest Community Gospel Choir: orsymphony.org/bios/guestartists/ncgc.aspx
Tickets: begin at $35
THURSDAY, DEC. 13
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
When and Where: Dec. 13 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony with Associate Conductor Norman Huynh; Cirque de la Symphonie
The Program: The gravity-defying movements and choreography of Cirque de la Symphonie’s aerialists, acrobats, dancers, and jugglers have captivated audiences around the globe. This holiday show is a sure-fire winner for the whole family.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Cirque de la Symphonie: cirquedelasymphonie.com
SATURDAY, DEC. 15
SUNDAY, DEC. 16 (TWO PERFORMANCES)
TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN CONCERT
When and Where: [Editors: please note different starting times] Dec. 15 at 7:30 pm, and Dec. 16 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with Associate Conductor Norman Huynh
The Program: Tim Burton’s fantastical tale of the Pumpkin King, Oogie Boogie, and Sandy Claws comes to life on our big screen, complete with Danny Elfman’s film score performed live.
What’s So Special About This Concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: columbia-artists.com/?webid=2437
Tickets: begin at $35
MONDAY, 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: Favorite light classical holiday music, including Sleigh Ride; Carol of the Bells; selections from Victor Herbert’s Babes in Toyland; selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet; selections from Vivaldi’s Gloria; orchestral arrangements of favorite carols; and a Christmas Carol sing-along.
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 $25
SUNDAY, DEC. 30
MONDAY, DEC. 31
BIG BAND AND BEETHOVEN: NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
When and Where: Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 at 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The Performers: The Oregon Symphony, with Music Director Carlos Kalmar; *Jenny Schuler, soprano; *Siena Licht Miller, mezzo-soprano; *tenor to be announced; *Richard Zeller, bass-baritone; *singers from Portland State University, *Oregon Repertory Singers, and the *Pacific Youth Choir
The Program:
Ellington/Strayhorn: The Nutcracker Suite
James P. Johnson: Victory Stride
*Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
What’s special about this concert:
More Background Info and Photos:
On the Oregon Symphony: orsymphony.org
On Jenny Schuler: jennyschuler.com
On Siena Licht Miller: operaphila.org/opera-lab/emerging-artists-2018-2019
On the Oregon Repertory Singers: orsingers.org
On the Pacific Youth Choir: pacificyouthchoir.org
On PSU Choirs: pdx.edu/music/choirs
Tickets: begin at $35
TICKET OFFICE INFORMATION
Tickets for all concerts can be purchased online at orsymphony.org; or in person at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office located at 909 SW Washington St., Portland, OR 97205.
Ticket Office Hours
July–August: (Mon–Fri, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm).
September–June (Mon–Sat, 10 am–6 pm); by phone at 503-228-1353 (Mon–Fri, 10 am–9 pm, Sat 10 am–6pm); and at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before every performance.
Season subscriptions, including the popular Choose Your Own packages and Gift Cards, are available through the Symphony Ticket Office at 503-228-1353.
ABOUT OREGON SYMPHONY
The multi-Grammy-nominated Oregon Symphony ranks as one of America’s major orchestras. Led by Music Director Carlos Kalmar, it serves over 300,000 people annually through more than 110 performances and award-winning education and community engagement programs. Now in its 123rd year, the Oregon Symphony is the oldest orchestra west of the Mississippi.
The Symphony’s ground-breaking 2017/18 Season set box office and fundraising records and was marked by an initiative to connect more deeply with the Portland community. The organization embarked on the year-long Sounds of Home series, which revolutionized the role of the arts in addressing three of the most critical social issues of the day: immigration, the environment, and homelessness. This series made a powerful impact in the community through innovative art, cross-sector partnerships with 37 organizations, and civic leadership. Sounds of Home community concerts hosted in venues across the city reached nearly 3,000 attendees and were viewed by thousands more through live streaming on social media.
The Symphony reached over 15 million radio broadcast listeners in the 2017/18 Season via All Classical Portland as well as American Public Media’s SymphonyCast and Performance Today. The season additionally featured three world premieres, including the first-ever play commissioned by an American orchestra.
Photos for media use are available at orsymphony.org/newsroom.
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