MAESTRO'S MUSINGS by YAACOV BERGMAN

The Classical Connection - May 29, 2004

"The Classical Connection", our May 29th program, brings together music by important composers who clearly developed their own unique voices; while at the same time, were influenced by knowing and hearing each other's music. We all love the music of the classical era -- music by composers such as Stamitz, Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart. But rarely do we have the opportunity to explore their individual voices in the context and company of each other. They are all considered pioneers of symphonic writing and important contributors to the development of the classical symphony orchestra.

I'm very excited about this concert and the opportunity to highlight three special soloists from the Portland Chamber Orchestra family. Bonnie Hensley, a member of the PCO Board of Directors and one of the Northwest's outstanding sopranos, will sing Beethoven's dramatic and challenging concert aria, "Ah! Perfido". Andrew Ehrlich, the PCO concertmaster, and Richard Bauer, principal violist, will be featured soloists for the delightful "Sinfonia Concertante" by Karl Stamitz. We will open the concert with Haydn's charming "Farewell Symphony" and conclude the program with Mozart's last symphony, the monumental "Jupiter".

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at this very special season finale at the Kaul Auditorium Saturday, May 29th .

Maestro's Musings are excerpted from Clef Notes, the newsletter of the Portland Chamber Orchestra.