If you missed the ‘season opener’ a few weeks ago, make plans to enjoy their next outer East Portland concert, in the Hazelwood neighborhood, on January 19 …
Members of the Oregon Sinfonetta violin section tune up before their first performance of the season, held once again in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanks to several nonprofit musical organizations, such as the Oregon Sinfonetta, outer East Portland is alive with performing arts performances. The best part is, they’re free.
This year the Oregon Sinfonetta opened its 47th season on November 3 in the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
The Oregon Sinfonetta begins another free concert, bringing fine music to people in outer East Portland.
“What makes today’s performance special is that today’s work, a piece for violin and orchestra entitled ‘Violin Concerto’, will be heard by an audience for the very first time anywhere!” enthused Sinfonetta Director Dr. Donald L. Appert.
“You see, the reason that, until today, it’s only been heard by our musicians and myself, is that I composed it for our concertmaster, Darrell Hunt,” explained Appert.
Maestro Dr. Donald L. Appert conducts his own composition, “Violin Concerto”.
“It’s been very exciting rehearsing it, because when you hear the real instruments playing it, including the solo, it’s quite a different experience than hearing it on the MIDI of a computer,” Appert told East Portland News.
And, it’s not his first published and performed work, Appert said, “I’ve written 50 or more works; I started seriously composing back in 1983. In the last several years, the works have been primarily for soloists.”
During the latest concert, Oregon Sinfonietta concertmaster Darrell Hunt offers music especially written for him.
The audience responded to that “Violin Concerto”, and the performance of Darrell Hunt and orchestra, with great enthusiasm.
Concerts continuing in January, March, and May
At other concerts, as the season continues, they’ll feature “Concerto Competition Winners” – including pieces by a bassoonist in January, a cellist in March, and a pianist in May, Appert revealed – as he put on his jacket and headed for the conductor’s podium.
Oregon Sinfonietta in concert January 19
On January 19, at 3:00 p.m., this full symphony orchestra of nearly 80 members again presents a free public concert.
The orchestra will perform Barber’s moving “Adagio for Strings”, and Brahms’ “Serenade No. 1 in D Major”. In addition, one of this season’s young Concerto Competition winners, Caleb Hutchings, will perform Weber’s “Concerto for Bassoon in F Major”.
Audience members are invited to share refreshments with the orchestra and soloist during intermission. The venue is, once again, the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church at 10501 SE Market Street.
For more information about the Oregon Sinfonietta, see their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™