The start of November brings two of our favorite annual events in Portland – the Portland Book Festival, which we previewed on yesterday’s News In Depth with director Amanda Bullock, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s season opening concert, both taking place this Saturday, November 8th.
PYP is America’s longest running youth orchestra, dating back to 1924. They’ll be launching their 102nd season at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with a concert titled “Rising Winds”. The program includes two pieces by Australian-born composer Percy Grainger –the “Duke of Marlborough Fanfare” and “Lincolnshire Posy”--Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz’s “La Calaca”, and to top it off, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto Number 5, aka the Emperor.
In what’s becomes an annual tradition for me, we’re fortunate to have David Hattner, PYP’s Musical Director, to preview the historic 102nd season opener.