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Weekend MusicWatch

By Brett Campbell
September 9, 2015
Music

As the high-90 degree temperatures suggest, although the summer months are done, Oregon still in some respects swelters in the summer doldrums, including the music scene this weekend. But a few worthwhile musical events still beckon us indoors. If you know of others, please let our readers know in the comments section below. For new music in Portland, consult Bob Priest’s valuable Ear Trumpet.

Cappella Romana sings Rachmaninoff -- again -- this weekend.

Cappella Romana sings Rachmaninoff — again — this weekend.

Ken Vandermark/Paal Nilssen-Love Duo, Optic Nerve Trio
September 11, Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5431 NE 20th Ave. Portland
Read my Willamette Week preview of this out jazz show sponsored by Portland’s Creative Music Guild.

Patrick McCulley, A Tale In the Telling
September 11
4072 NE 10th Ave. Portland.
At this house concert, the Portland saxophonist, one of the stars of the city’s indie classical scene, celebrates the release of his first EP, Fierce, with help from the new trio that also crosses the imaginary border between contemporary classical and jazz.

“Requiem Mass: LGBT / Working Title”
September 11-12
Holcombe Waller, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave Portland.
Part of Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s Time Based Arts Festival,the Portland singer-songwriter’s latest venture into contemporary classical territory is a choral work (sung by a community choir assembled for the purpose) that commemorates those who have died from persecution for their sexual orientation or gender expression. Waller will also participate in a discussion about his piece on Sunday afternoon.

Oregon Symphony
September 11, Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, Salem.
September 12, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland.
The orchestra’s classical season gets off to a solid start with the return of award winning Spanish guitarist Pablo Villegas performing a strong contemporary American composition by John Corigliano and a pair of 20th century classics, Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo’s graceful, lively Fantasy for a Nobleman (Fantasía para un gentilhombre), French composer Paul Dukas’ last work, the “dance poem” The Persian Fairy (La Peri) and Maurice Ravel’s ravishing Spanish Rhapsody.

“A Day and a Night at the Opera”
September 12
Portland Opera, Hampton Opera Center, 211 SE Caruthers St. Portland.
Read my Willamette Week preview of the opera’s party coinciding with the opening of the nearby Tilikum Crossing bridge over the Willamette River.

The Servant Turned Mistress” (“La serva padrona”)
September 12
Cascadia Concert Opera, Atrium building, Eugene.
The group of veteran classical musicians’ latest concert reading this time features the great (if too short-lived) Italian Baroque composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s setting of Italian playwright Jacopo Angello Nelli’s play about a cunning maid who outwits the people who run the house, to everyone’s eventual delight. The afternoon performance is free.

“The Harp Can Be Hip”
September 12
Denise Fujikawa, Beaverton City Library auditorium, 12375 SW Fifth St.
The Portland Opera harpist and PSU prof demonstrates the range of her six-foot concert harp in a solo recital featuring music by Handel, Debussy, Albeniz, Resphigi, and other composers. As always in these Music in Small Spaces shows, she’ll also give the audience some context, about the composers, the music, and the instrument’s history and mechanics.

“All-Night Vigil”
September 12-13
Cappella Romana, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1739 NW Couch St .
Read my Willamette Week preview of the choir’s performances of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 1915 masterpiece and more.

OQ action photo 1

Opera Quest Northwest presents “Opera the Great” Sunday in Vancouver.

“Opera the Great”
September 13
UU Church of Vancouver, 4505 East 18th St.
This public performance of a show that normally introduces elementary school students to opera mixes excerpts from classic operas with an interactive storyline that invites participation from young audience members.

Tyondai Braxton
September 13
Lincoln Hall at Portland State University
The former Battles composer/performer, best known for amalgamating rock and contemporary classical music, brings his latest solo creation, HIVE1, to this year’s Festival, where he’ll play it using modular synths and samples.

“ke i te ki”
September 14
Akio Suzuki and Aki Onda, Disjecta, 8371 N Interstate Ave Portland.
In this TBA Festival show, the Japanese sound artists use found objects, home-made instruments, and other materials to sculpt sound that responds to the space it’s performed in.

Akio Suzuki & Aki Onda perform at PICA's Time Based Art Festival Monday. Photo: Goran Vejvoda.

Akio Suzuki & Aki Onda perform at PICA’s Time Based Art Festival Monday. Photo: Goran Vejvoda.

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