John Pitman Review: Miró Quartet complete their Beethoven cycle

The Miró Quartet, who visited Portland in February hosted by Chamber Music NW, is celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with the release of the complete string quartets. They began around 2005 with the Opus 18 (Beethoven’s first published set), recording them at the same age the composer was when he wrote them, in other words, their late twenties.

While they realized it might not be practical to wait until they were in their 50s and 60s to finish the Opus 135, violinist Daniel Ching and violist John Largess do share the story of how they went about recording the complete set, as well as shedding light on America’s early encounters with the string quartet repertoire through several trailblazing groups of the early 20^th century.

Beethoven: Complete String Quartets / Miro Quartet: BUY NOW

Five American Women Conductors You Should Know

Women are helping to shape the sound of classical music right now, as musicians, artists, and most certainly as conductors. Here are some of our favorite American women conductors.

Marin Alsop

Marin Alsop is an inspiring and powerful voice, a conductor of vision and distinction who passionately believes that “music has the power to change lives”. She is recognized internationally for her innovative approach to programming and audience development, for her deep commitment to education and advocating for music’s importance in the world.

From the 2019/20 season, Alsop becomes Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (Vienna RSO), performing in their main series at the Wiener Konzerthaus and Wiener Musikverein, recording, broadcasting, and touring nationally and internationally. Her first season coincides with the orchestra’s 50th anniversary and will emphasize women in classical music.

Her outstanding success as Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) since 2007 has resulted in two extensions in her tenure until 2021. Alsop has led the orchestra on its first European tour in 13 years and created several bold initiatives including OrchKids, for the city’s most disadvantaged young people. At the end of 2019, following a seven-year tenure as Music Director, she becomes Conductor of Honour of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP), where she will return to conduct major projects each season.

Photo source: https://www.marinalsop.com/media/
Biography source: https://www.marinalsop.com/biography/

Xian Zhang

Xian Zhang currently serves as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. She will become the Principal Guest Conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2020. She also holds the post of Conductor Emeritus of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, following a hugely successful period from 2009–2016 as Music Director. She has previously served as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales, becoming the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC orchestra.

The acclaim she has been receiving for her work in New Jersey has resulted in a strong North American career, with upcoming engagements which include Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore, Montreal, Ottawa (NAC), Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota Symphonies. In August 2019, she returned to Los Angeles Philharmonic to conduct the world premiere of a work by Caroline Shaw and Beethoven 9.

Biography and photo source: https://imgartists.com/roster/xian-zhang/

Classical Music to Welcome Spring

There’s a rich assortment of music about springtime in the classical repertoire, ranging from Schumann’s Spring Symphony Op.38, to Beethoven’s “Spring” Violin Sonata Op.24 (not that Beethoven himself ever called it a “Spring” Sonata), to Vivaldi’s perennially popular (pun definitely intended) violin concerto, “Spring” from The Four Seasons. In fact, there’s so much classical music for this season, that for this list, we’ll narrow things down by featuring lovely but lesser-known pieces celebrating the return of spring.

Women Composers from the Middle Ages to the Baroque

Throughout Western music history, women have produced innovative, moving compositions, and the realm of early music is no exception. In this list, we’ll profile nine of the many pathfinding women who composed from the Middle Ages to the High Baroque.

10 Contemporary Women Composers You Should Know

If you’re familiar with the history of classical music, you may know that historically classical music hasn’t been the most welcoming field for women, and there is a long way to go before women classical composers of today are performed and recognized at the same level as their male peers. That said, here are some of our favorite contemporary women composers shaping the future of classical music, right now.

We hope you’ll give these compositions a listen, and fall in love with this music as we have. Want to share your thoughts? Get in touch via email: info@allclassical.org

Adam Eccleston shares personal reflections on his favorite music by Black and Brown composers

Black History Month is a time for me to reminisce and give thanks to those who have paved the way for Black and Brown people in classical music and thinking of all of the Black and Brown service members who have paved the way for my family. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I started to play music by black composers. I have learned so much about my own heritage by playing the music of composers that look like me. It’s unfortunate that it has taken me half my life to discover these magnificent artists, but I’m glad I decided to venture out and discover new elements of classical music. There is so much more out there and I am just scratching the surface of a lifelong discovery! Adam Eccleston is All Classical Portland’s 2020 Professional Artist in Residence.

John Pitman Review: Jonathan Biss completes Beethoven journey

As a part of the celebrations this year of the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig Van Beethoven, program director John Pitman is interviewing some of today’s top artists involved in the newest recordings of his music.

American pianist Jonathan Biss has just completed a 9-year journey exploring the piano sonatas of Ludwig Van Beethoven. In his conversation, Mr. Biss shares how each sonata revealed a different side of the composer’s character, which was definitely much more than the scowling face we often see on CD covers and books. The journey was also one of discovery for the pianist himself: Mr. Biss certainly doesn’t feel like he’s in the same place as when he started nearly a decade ago.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9 BUY NOW

Nine Black Women Who Changed Opera Forever

In this list, we’ll celebrate some of the great Black opera singers who have passed on into history, and paved the way for Black artists who are still with us. Their stories and recordings are a treasure for listeners and an epiphany for vocalists.

John Pitman Review: Silenced Voices

String Trio debuts with “Silenced Voices” (Black Oak Ensemble)

2020 (specifically, January 27) marks the 75^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the WWII concentration camp that is symbolic of the persecution and murder of millions of Jews and other groups by the Nazi regime. In addition to the handful of people who survived the camps, a small body of art, including music, has emerged over time. Music written by prisoners of the Nazis who persevered in their art despite the conditions. The string trio Black Oak Ensemble (violinist Desirée Ruhrstrat, violist Aurélian Fort Pederzoli and cellist David Cunliffe) first encounter of much of this music was in a shop in Budapest, and at first, they didn’t know the circumstances of the composers of these works. This debut disc is the result of several years of research and performance, including at the Czech camp at Terezín.

The music is at times filled with a sense of foreboding, at other times sadness, but also great energy and even humor. They were written between the late 1920s (when the first signs of fascism were appearing in parts of Europe) to the 1930s era of persecution, and finally to the last years of the war (most of the composers went from places like Terezín, where artists were kept, to the death camps such as Auschwitz. Only one composer on the disc, Géza Frid, survived the war and lived in the Netherlands to 1989).

The interview is with Cunliffe and Pederzoli, who share their unique connection and admiration for this music which, finally, is “silenced” no more.

Silenced Voices BUY NOW

Announcing…All Classical Portland’s 2020 Artists in Residence!

All Classical Portland is thrilled to announce the station’s 2020 Artists in Residence: flutist Adam Eccleston and pianist Natalie Tan!

The Artists in Residence program, launched in 2019, provides young and professional musicians with opportunities for career advancement, creative development, and audience exposure. The program is a part of JOY (Joyous Outreach to You/th), All Classical Portland’s initiatives dedicated to equity and inclusivity in the arts.

As All Classical Portland’s Artists in Residence, Adam and Natalie will take center stage in the community and on the air, participating in numerous events and enriching the station’s offerings to the community…

Performance debut Lovefest Concert, February 19th, 2020
Performances on Thursdays @ Three throughout the year
All Classical Portland social media takeovers, blog posts, and more
Appearances at a variety of All Classical Portland events including recitals, community engagement events, and open houses.

We are committed to supporting our Artists in Residence by providing them with new resources and opportunities to connect with audiences, expand their musical portfolio, and reach new creative heights as our partners…

Artists have access to All Classical Portland’s recording facilities
The station’s digital music archives are available for artists’ research and development
All Classical Portland encourages and supports professional development for Artists
A financial award accompanies these opportunities and resources

We believe All Classical Portland’s Artists in Residence program is a truly unique and all-encompassing opportunity for musicians to grow, learn, and expand, and we are thrilled to continue the program after its successful inaugural year, featuring Professional Artist Hunter Noack and Young Artist Taylor Yoon.

Read the 2020 Artists in Residence Press Release

Adam Eccleston, Professional Artist in Residence: Adam Eccleston is an accomplished flutist of international renown dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in classical music. As a soloist, Adam Eccleston has appeared with several orchestras around the United States and Europe, performing in venues such as the Kurhaus Wiesbaden in Germany and Jordan Hall in Boston. Adam draws musical inspiration from his Caribbean and Panamanian heritage. He works extensively with MESDA group, a non-profit organization active in underdeveloped countries around Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. Eccleston serves as the Director of the BRAVO Cesar Chavez Wind Program and is also co-founder of the duo From A to Z with Mexican-born guitarist Zaira Meneses.

“I’m still in awe that All Classical has seen how passionate I am about music and teaching. I’m forever grateful to use this incredible platform to further my music endeavors and to share it with everyone.” – Adam Eccleston, flutist

Natalie Tan, Young Artist in Residence: Natalie Tan is a senior student at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon. She has studied piano for eleven years and is currently a student of Linda Barker. Natalie is a two-time winner of MetroArts Inc.’s Young Artists Debut! Van Buren Concerto Concert (2017 & 2020), and winner of the 2017 PYP Biennial Piano Concerto Competition. Natalie serves on Jesuit High School’s mock trial team and is in her fourth year as an intern at OHSU. In addition to her passion for music, Natalie loves to travel, discuss science and policy, and analyze literature. The collaboration between All Classical Portland and Metro Arts Inc. for its Young Artist in Residence Program is in its second year. MetroArts Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting life-long learning through the arts.

“I have grown up listening to All Classical and it has been my source of inspiration and comfort for many years. I am excited to be a part of this community which is so integral to Portland’s identity and strives to give so much of itself for its listeners.” – Natalie Tan, pianist

Artists in Residence Photo Credits

Natalie Tan (left), photo by MetroArts Inc., 2020
Adam Eccleston (right) Denise Dicks, 2020

Past Artists in Residence

Hunter Noack, 2019 Professional Artist in Residence: Internationally acclaimed concert pianist, integrates literature, visual art, dance, theater and design in his presentations of classical music. Through the IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild outdoor concert series he brings a 9-foot concert Steinway into the wild where state and national parks, historic sites, and other spectacular locations replace traditional concert halls. Listening to the live music through wireless headphones, the audience is free to wander through the landscape. Winner of the Los Angeles International Liszt competition in 2011, Noack holds degrees from Guild Hall (London), University of Southern California, and San Francisco Conservatory.

Taylor Yoon, 2019 Young Artist in Residence: Taylor is a junior and a principal cellist at Lakeridge High School. Taylor and her older sisters perform as the “Yoontrio”, often raising funds to support local charitable causes. In 2017, Taylor helped establish a nonprofit organization called Olivenbaum in an effort to bring all people together in peace and harmony. Winner of Oregon Cello Society Scholarship Competition in 2010, and Trula Whelan Concerto Competition in 2011 & 2014, Taylor currently studies with Mr. Ken Finch. In partnership with Metro Arts Inc.

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