Oregon Sinfonietta begins 53rd season with ‘sold-out’ concert in East Portland

INCLUDES PERFORMANCE VIDEO | See how this musical organization – dedicated to presenting great classical music – continues to provide outstanding cultural events, here in outer East Portland …

Oregon Sinfonietta Board President Karen Karger welcomes concert-goers to the first performance of the season.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Established more than five decades ago as the Chamber Music Society of Oregon, the Oregon Sinfonietta continued their tradition of performing classical music, free of charge, at their concert on Sunday afternoon, November 2.

The auditorium at Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist church quickly filled with concert-goers before the mid-afternoon concert began.

“This is my 25th anniversary with this orchestra,” remarked Oregon Sinfonietta Musical Director and Conductor Dr. Donald Appert as the musicians were warming up.

Oregon Sinfonietta Musical Director and Conductor Dr. Donald Appert leads the orchestra.

“Over the years, I’ve seen the organization grow in a number of ways,” Appert observed. “The most important way has been musically, of course. Here’s what that means: An orchestra like this rehearses once a week, and is comprised primarily of amateur musicians, other than the Concert Master. This means all have a ‘day job’, and play music just for the love of doing it.

“When I first took over this orchestra in 2001, one of the things I changed immediately was to have eight longer rehearsals – instead of six shorter ones – for each concert; all the musicians saw the benefit of this,” Appert told East Portland News.

Almost every seat in the auditorium is filled for this concert by the Oregon Sinfonietta.

“Then, over the years, we’ve attracted better musicians who wanted to come play with us,” recalled Appert. “Early on, it was important that I programmed pieces that I thought they could play well; as well, I often provided unusual repertoire that people didn’t know, so they wouldn’t be compared to recordings of famous Symphony orchestras.”

Asked how he balances the choosing music that challenges musicians – and including what an audience may want to hear – Appert was frank in his reply. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t worry about what the audience wants to hear. We have a wonderful audience that usually goes along with my programming choices. I’ve won two national awards and have been recognized by The American Prize for Orchestral Programming,” he pointed out.

Donald Appert energetically conducts the orchestra.

“I’m looking forward to a wonderful season, including this concert in which, for the first time, we’re using the wonderful pipe organ here at the church,” Appert said. “And, upcoming in future concerts, our audiences will hear performances by our Concerto Competition winners.”

Mozart and Saint-Saëns works performed

Often referred to as “Jupiter”, the first selection the orchestra performed, was Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed, on 10 August 1788.

The longest and last symphony that he composed is regarded by many critics as among the greatest symphonies in classical music. This work is the final one of a set of three symphonies Mozart composed in rapid succession in that summer.

See ‘Jupiter’ performed, and listen to the music, in this video produced by Oregon Sinfonietta:

“Organ Symphony” – the Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, completed by Camille Saint-Saëns – comprised the second half of the concert. Composed by Saint-Saëns in 1886, at the peak of his artistic career.

It became known as the “Organ Symphony” because two of the four movements use the pipe organ. The composer inscribed it as Symphonie No. 3 “avec orgue” (with organ).

Organist Martin Ellis, who is also a composer represented by distinguished Lorenz Publishing Corporation, performs Saint-Saëns.

See and hear the ‘Organ Symphony’ performed by the Oregon Sinfonietta in their concert video:

January 18: Oregon Sinfonietta Winter Concert

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th, this full symphony orchestra of about 70 members, now in its 53rd season and conducted by Dr. Donald L. Appert, presents another FREE concert.

Find out why the Oregon Sinfonietta is attracting large audiences by attending on January 18.

The orchestra, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will perform Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 3 “Pastoral.”

In addition, one of this season’s young Concerto Competition winners, Mia Hale, will perform Ponchielli’s Capriccio for Oboe and Orchestra, Op. 80.

Everyone is welcome; there is no charge to attend – yes, it’s FREE! The concert will be held at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church, at 10501 SE Market Street. For more information about the orchestra, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

On our Front Page: Oregon Sinfonietta 1st violinist Steve Haimlen warms up.

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