Oregon Sinfonietta concert season in full swing

INCLUDES CONCERT VIDEO – Learn about their first concert of the season – and see a video of the performance. Also, discover what’s coming up at the January 19 Oregon Sinfonietta ‘Winter Concert’ …

In the Hazelwood neighborhood, the audience waits in anticipation of the first Oregon Sinfonietta concert of the season.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Starting off their 52nd season, the Oregon Sinfonietta – originally established as the “Chamber Music Society of Oregon” – delighted the audience, on the Sunday afternoon of November 3, with another great selection of fine music.

Hundreds of audience members made their way into the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church for this musical program.

Oregon Sinfonietta conductor Dr. Donald L. Appert gives the downbeat, starting the full-length performance of the Symphony No. 3 in D Minor by Anton Bruckner.

“We’re starting off our performance year with a ‘birthday celebration’ of our ‘composer of the day’ – Anton Bruckner, born in 1824 – by performing his majestic Symphony No. 3 in D Minor,” explained Dr. Donald L. Appert, who is now in his 23rd season with the Oregon Sinfonietta.

“Today’s musical program is a challenge for an orchestra like ours,” he told East Portland News, as the musicians were starting to assemble on stage. “This is about an hour of music, without any intermission. We do break briefly between the movements – but our musicians must focus a lot of concentration on sophisticated music.

Here it is, the Oregon Sinfonietta, in concert.

“The orchestra is doing very well; it’s a great pleasure to work with them,” he went on. “Our musicians work very hard – and, in my mind, we’re one of the premier community orchestras in the area offering an interesting repertoire, and I can safely say that it is always well played.”

With the exception of their concertmaster, he’s only paid person in the orchestra, Appert pointed out. “Many of our musicians are music educators so they are highly trained; others are highly-trained artists just interested in playing good music and rehearse to make sure they can do it,” he observed.

Conductor Dr. Donald L. Appert passionately directs the musicians during a challenging section of the hour-long symphony.

“It could be said that our musicians are ‘amateurs’,” he remarked, with a wisp of a knowing smile. “The word ‘amateur’ comes from the Latin word ‘amāre’, which means ‘to love’. These people love to make music, and it really is apparent when they’re playing with us.”

About the venue, Appert extolled, “I always have kind words for the folks here at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church; they let us use their beautiful building is our concert venue, are extremely supportive, and we always at playing here.”

Now, watch and listen to the full concert video – the first of its kind – produced and presented by the Oregon Sinfonietta recording and production team:

Oregon Sinfonietta January 19: Winter Concert
At 3 p.m., on Sunday, January 19, this 70-member symphony orchestra presents another FREE concert. By the way this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization gratefully accepts donations that support these concerts and also supports upcoming young musicians.

At the January 19th performance, you’ll hear: Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 2 in D major, opus 36.

In addition, Oregon Sinfonietta Concerto Competition Winner Cassandra Miller will perform Reinecke’s Concerto for Flute in D Major.

Enjoy an afternoon of fine music at the Oregon Sinfonietta’s Winter Concert.

Everyone is welcome; there is no charge to attend. The concert will again be performed at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church, at 10501 SE Market Street. For more information about the orchestra, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

Comments are closed.