What’s more exciting than a cello concerto played by a virtuoso musician? How about three of them? That’s what is in store for audiences as the Gorge Sinfonietta presents its November concerts, Cello Concerto Collage. The concerts feature three members of the Sinfonietta in solo roles. Principal cellist Michelle Edwards will perform the first movement of Elgar’s beloved concerto, Aaron Young will be featured in the Dvorak cello concerto, and Annie Harkey will perform the first movement of Haydn’s classical concerto in C.

Conductor Mark Steighner says the concert is unique in many ways. “We’ve never featured three concertos in the same concert, let alone three cellists. Although we’re performing movements from three different composers, the format follows a typical concerto structure of fast, slow and fast movements.”

“We have so many talented and accomplished musicians in the orchestra,”
Steighner said, “and this is a way to highlight more than one.”

It isn’t the first time the orchestra has put together a hybrid work. “A few years ago we stitched together a symphony that included movements by Bruckner and Brahms, two 19th century contemporaries who definitely didn’t agree on musical style. We called it a “Frankensymphony.””

In addition to the cello feature, the concert includes the Prelude to Act 1 of Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner. Steighner explained that this piece was the very first one he conducted with the orchestra at his inaugural concert in 2005. Steighner is retiring as conductor after this season.

The concert will be rounded out by the extremely well-known and popular Suites from Carmen by Georges Bizet. “The Carmen Suites probably have more recognizable melodies-per-minute than any other pieces.”

The Cello Concerto Collage concerts are Friday, November 14 at 7PM and Sunday, November 16 at 2 PM at the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center, 3000 Wy’east Rd in Odell. Tickets and information about CGOA can be found at gorgeorchestra.org. CGOA offers free tickets for kids and students (high school and college IDs at the door), plus discounted tickets ($5 at the door) for SNAP card holders through the Arts for All program.

The concert kicks off the orchestra’s series of performances in CGOA’s 20th Anniversary Season which also includes performances with the Voci Community Choir in April, and a Piano Summit concert in June, featuring soloists Kathy Apland and Mitchell Jett Spencer.

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, CGOA brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.