THE SOLO PIANO SERIES - Portland Piano International

2018 / 2019 SEASON 1

PRESENTED BY PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL

2018 / 2019 SEASON

THE SOLO PIANO SERIES

HAROLD GRAY / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

WELCOME

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL APPRECIATES THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS

OUR VISION

Unveiling International Talent on the Oregon Stage

Welcome to the 2018 / 2019 SOLO Piano Series!

When I was asked by the Portland Piano International / SOLO Board to return and curate this season, I initially hesitated. I was honored by the request, but I hadn’t thought I would ever come out of retirement. Being Artistic Director for 35 years was long enough! I was content to watch the organization take new direction under Arnaldo Cohen these last five seasons.

Still, the opportunity to help start the next 40 years of piano performances was just too tempting.* I hope that you will be inspired and delighted by the final selections!

I feel so fortunate to be able to present two of my favorite artists from the past – Angela Hewitt and Olga Kern. It has been more than a decade since either graced our stage. This season I’m also happy to introduce to you some artists whom I wanted to present, but never got the chance: Rachel Cheung and Behzod Abduraimov. For Behzod’s Saturday performance, we have an additional treat; in the second half he will be performing duo repertoire with his teacher and mentor, Cliburn winner Stanislav Ioudenitch. I’m also pleased that we are able to bring back Benjamin Grosvenor – he is only 26 years old and this will be his second engagement on the Series! Finally, we have engaged Boris Giltburg who will make his Portland debut playing two fascinating programs, including one with only Rachmaninov!

Please join us for what promises to be a season to remember!

Harold GrayArtistic Director Emeritus

* I also knew that it would be a lot of fun working with our Executive Director, Ellen Bergstone Wasil. Her only request of me was that we have a healthy balance of genders represented this season!

COVER IMAGE OF ANGELA HEWITT © K. SAUNDERS; INSIDE COVER PHOTO OF BENJAMIN GROSVENOR © SOPHIE WRIGHT

2018 / 2019 SEASON 5

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SATURDAY

SCARLATTI, D. Three SonatasBEETHOVEN Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 53, No. 21 "Waldstein"LEE, JAMES Window to Eternity's Threshold (World Premiere)RACHMANINOV Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, No. 4 in E minor; 7 Morceaux de salon, Op. 10, No. 3 "Barcarolle"; Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 4 "Polichinelle" SCRIABIN Etudes Nos. 4 and 5, Op. 42BALAKIREV Islamey, Op. 18

NATIONALITY Israeli

HOME Rishon Le Zion, Israel & Haarlem, Holland

AGE 34

NOTEWORTHY Winner of the 2013 Queen Elisabeth CompetitionIF YOU WEREN'T A CONCERT PIANIST, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? There are two possibilities – I would either be a linguist, as languages are my hobby, or else I would be a computer programmer, as computers are my second hobby, one which even takes more time than the first. WHICH PIANISTS HAVE INSPIRED YOU? Artur Rubinstein (first and foremost), Richter, Gilels and Grigory Sokolov.HAVE YOU EVER TRIED PLAYING A DIFFERENT INSTRUMENT? I have played the violin for half a year when I was six years old (on my own request). As it was just the beginning I was probably pretty horrible at it…

BORIS GILTBURG.COM

BORIS GILTBURG OLGA

KERNSAT & SUN OCT 6 & 7 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

SUNDAY

RACHMANINOV

Prelude No. 1 in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2

Ten Preludes, Op. 23

Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32

SUNDAY

BEETHOVEN 10 Variations on a Theme by SalieriSCHUMANN Carnaval, Op. 9GERSHWIN Three Preludes; "Fascinating Rhythm" from Seven Virtuoso Etudes (arr. Earl Wild)RACHMANINOV Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, No. 4 in E minor; 7 Morceaux de salon, Op. 10, No. 3 "Barcarolle"; Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 4 "Polichinelle" SCRIABIN Etudes Nos. 4 and 5, Op. 42BALAKIREV Islamey, Op. 18

SATURDAY

RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin, M. 68

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op.

57 "Appassionata"

SHOSTAKOVICH String Quartet No. 3 in F Major,

Op. 73 (arr. for piano B. Giltburg)

PROKOFIEV Piano Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op.

28

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WITNESS THE ULTIMATE ARTIST’S CHALLENGE AND DEDICATION

SAT & SUN NOV 10 & 11 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

"Her electricity at the keyboard is palpable, as though she generates from the music itself, as it flows through her fingers it takes on fresh voltage that is unmistakably hers."– WASHINGTON POST

"Every phrase is imaginatively coloured or nuanced, and never out of gimmicky point making, always because he has something worth saying."– GRAMOPHONE

NATIONALITY Russian-American

HOME New York

AGE 43

NOTEWORTHY Co-winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn Gold Medal in 2001 and the first woman to do so in 30 years;in 2017, Ms. Kern received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, joining other honorees including Rosa Parks, Buzz Aldrin, Coretta Scott King, and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TEACHERS OF YOUNG PIANO STUDENTS? Patience is the most important quality to possess. Young students who are just starting lessons are fragile and not sure about themselves. Each student is like a fragile flower that has a unique personality.

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ENCOUNTER THE ARTIST’S CHALLENGE OF BACK-TO-BACK DAYS

2018 / 2019 SEASON 76 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG

SATURDAY

MOZART Rondo in A minor

SCHUMANN Fantasie, Op. 17

JANACEK In the Mists

SCHUBERT/LISZT Auf dem Wasser zu singen

LISZT Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este;

Mephisto Waltz, No. 1

BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV NATIONALITY Uzbek

HOME Kansas City, KS

AGE 28NOTEWORTHY Winner of the 2009 London Piano Competition

BEHZODABDURAIMOV.COM

STANISLAV IOUDENITCH NATIONALITY Uzbek

HOME Kansas City, KS

AGE 47NOTEWORTHY Co-winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

NATIONALITY Hong Kongese

HOME Hong Kong

AGE 27

NOTEWORTHY Finalist and Audience Award Winner at the 2017 Cliburn International Piano Competition WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM OTHER PIANISTS? Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau said we should never play to impress others. Do not let pride get in your way and always stay humble. His saying really gets into me.WE HEAR YOU HAVE TAKEN TO WORKING OUT AT THE GYM THIS PAST YEAR. WHY? Being physically stronger benefits my playing, so that my performance is not affected at the latter stage of a long piece, or my body does not crumble afterwards.

RACHELCHEUNG.COM

BEHZODABDURAIMOV AND STANISLAV IOUDENITCH

RACHELCHEUNG

SAT & SUN DEC 1 & 2 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

SUNDAY

WAGNER/LISZT Isolde's Liebestod

LISZT Sonata in B minor, S. 178

PROKOFIEV Romeo and Juliet, Op. 75

SUNDAY

FRANCK/BAUER Prélude, Fugue et Variation in B

minor, Op. 18

CHOPIN 24 Preludes, Op. 28

SCHUBERT Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960

SATURDAY

WAGNER/LISZT Isolde's Liebestod

LISZT Sonata in B minor, S. 178

PERFORMED WITH STANISLAV IOUDENITCH:

ARENSKY Suite for two pianos No. 1, Op. 15

RACHMANINOV Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos

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EXPERIENCE THE EXERTION OF TWO UNIQUE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF AN ARTIST

SAT & SUN JAN 26 & 27 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

“Cheung didn’t put on a show for us, she drew us into the music’s magic. This will be a hard act to follow.”– DALLAS MORNING NEWS

“The Uzbek pianist is the master of all he surveys.”– THE TIMES

BEYOND THE SCORESee page 13 for details

2018 / 2019 SEASON 98 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG

SATURDAY

SCHUMANN Blumenstück, Op. 19;

Kreisleriana, Op. 16

JANACEK Leos: Sonata 1.X.1905

PROKOFIEV Visions Fugitives

BELLINI/LISZT Réminiscences de Norma

NATIONALITY Canadian

HOME London

AGE 60

NOTEWORTHY Beginning in September 2016, Angela embarked on a "Bach Odyssey”, performing the complete keyboard works of Bach in twelve recitals over four years. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE PLAY BACH? It gives you an incredible memory, because memorizing Bach is about the hardest thing you can do. It gives you discipline in your everyday life, I think, and clarity. And also a great sense of comfort and joy and appreciation of the beautiful.HOW IS DANCE A PART OF YOUR MUSIC? I started both ballet and piano at the age of three and I did ballet for 20 years. From my earliest years music and dance were inseparable. When it’s formed so young, it doesn’t leave you.

ANGELAHEWITT.COM

NATIONALITY British

HOME London

AGE 26

NOTEWORTHY Inaugural recipient of the Ronny and Lawrence Ackman Classical Piano Prize at the New York Philharmonic in 2016WHAT PIANISTS DO YOU ADMIRE? I'm interested in pianists of the older generation - both the absolute merits of their playing and their musical devices that are not often used these days. I love listening to pianists like Vladimir Horowitz, Alfred Cortot and Shura Cherkassky, who all had such unique voices at the piano.WHERE WAS YOUR MOST UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE? I once performed to 13 people in a barn at an opera festival in the middle of Wales. The sparrows flying around made up the numbers.

BENJAMINGROSVENOR.COM

ANGELAHEWITTBENJAMIN

GROSVENORSAT & SUN MAR 16 & 17 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

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SUNDAY

SCHUMANN Blumenstück, Op. 19;

Kreisleriana, Op. 16

JANACEK Leos: Sonata 1.X.1905

PROKOFIEV Visions Fugitives

BELLINI/LISZT Réminiscences de Norma

FRIDAY

BACH Toccata in C minor, BWV 911Toccata in G Major, BWV 916Toccata in F-sharp minor, BWV 910Toccata in E minor, BWV 914Toccata in D minor, BWV 913Toccata in G minor, BWV 915Toccata in D Major, BWV 912Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903

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WITNESS THE MASTERY OF BEING ONE ON STAGE

FRI MAY 3 / 7:30PMSUN May 5 / 4PMLINCOLN HALL

"Benjamin Grosvenor delivers virtuosity beyond his years. If you haven't heard him, hear him now…exquisite dynamic control, crisp articulation and sustained lyricism…" – LOS ANGELES TIMES

“I know of no musician whose Bach playing on any instrument is of greater subtlety, beauty of tone, persuasiveness of judgement or instrumental command..." – BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

BEYOND THE SCORESee page 13 for details

SUNDAY

BACH English Suite No. 1 in A Major, BWV 806English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807Suite in F minor, BWV 823English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 894

SEE THE ARTISTS’ PASSION PLAYED OUT BEFORE YOUR EYES

10 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2018 / 2019 SEASON 11

COMMISSIONING PROJECT

Since the fall of 2015, Portland Piano International has

been presenting new works for solo piano through its

Commissioning Project funded by a "Creative Heights"

Grant from The Oregon Community Foundation. In fall

2018, the last of 12 compositions by Oregon composers

will be performed. The composers work closely with

Rising Stars who then premiere the works in free,

interactive concerts in Portland and around the state.

THOLEN FELLOWS PROJECT

Passionate and informed piano teachers are central to the

future of piano performance and audience development!

Through the Nellie Tholen Fund of The Oregon Community

Foundation, Portland Piano International brings

accomplished pianists to rural Oregon communities to

work with teachers motivated to advance their skills. The

Tholen Fellows Project encourages teachers to become

educational leaders in their communities.

EDUCATION & OUTREACHPortland Piano International provides educational and outreach opportunities that share our passion for piano music. To complement our SOLO Piano Series, we present several initiatives that offer performance opportunities to the next generation of virtuosos, commission new works for solo

piano by Oregon composers, inspire Oregon piano teachers to develop new teaching skills and greater passion for their craft, and engage a broad range of audiences and pianists in our community.

RISING STARS PROGRAM

Portland Piano International champions up-and-coming

pianists and brings piano music to communities around

the state through our Rising Stars program. We present

exceptionally talented artists who are on the cusp of

professional careers. Each one-hour performance is

designed to break down walls and invite people of all

ages to learn about the music and interact directly with the

pianist.

PIANO DAY!

On the 88th day of the year, Portland Piano International

joins the worldwide celebration of the piano: Piano

Day! On March 29, local pianists of all ages and abilities

share their music while raising funds for our educational

programs. In 2018, participants performed in six

locations in the Portland Metro area: the atrium at City

Hall, the 260-foot underground platform at the TriMet

Washington Park MAX Station, the atrium at Legacy

Emanuel Hospital, the lobby of PeaceHealth Southwest

Medical Center, the lobby of the OHSU Center for

Health and Healing, and in the exhibit area at OMSI.Rising Star Sahun "Sam" Hong performs at Terwilliger Plaza.

After his SOLO performance, Yekwon Sunwoo signs programs for two young fans.

Marianne Perrin performs at City Hall for Piano Day 2017.

Alexander Shtarkman works with a Tholen Fellow in Ontario, Oregon.

Composer David Schiff (right) introduces his new composition, Six Songs without Words performed by Rising Star Vladislav Kosminov (left).

TOP LEFT: Rising Star Isata Kanneh-Mason performs for and talks with students at Rosa Parks BRAVO Orchestra program.

12 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG

STANISLAV IOUDENITCHJAN 27, 2019SUN 10AM / FreeLocation TBA

2018 / 2019 SEASON 13

ALL YOU NEED IS CURIOSITY

AND A COUPLE OF HOURS TO

PURSUE IT

These intimate work sessions

are integral to one of Portland

Piano International’s core

values: music education. The

sessions are free and offer an

extraordinary opportunity to

see and hear the interaction

between teacher and student,

each working to create a break-

through to a new level of artistry

for the student. You needn’t be

an expert, a teacher or student

or even a pianist to enjoy and

profit from Beyond the Score.

Portland Piano International invites you to experience a deeper understanding of playing the piano through our Beyond the Score master classes. In these one-on-one sessions, our recitalists share the insight gained from their own years of study with master teachers. Whether you are an advanced player, a novice or simply a music lover, join us for these FREE sessions.

BEYOND THE SCORE

ANGELA HEWITTMAY 4, 2019SAT 10AM / FreeFlanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College P

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FAST BECOMING THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE OF WORLD COMPETITION WINNERS

2014 RUBENSTEIN COMPETITION – TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

2016 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION 2015 CHOPIN COMPETITION – MIAMI, FLORIDA

THE NORTHWEST’S P REMIERPIANO STORE

Stores in Portland and Eugene503-775-2480 | www.portlandpianocompany.com

Additional Beyond the Score masterclasses for intermediate students given by Rising Star pianists will be announced in late 2018.

TOP: Photos from a masterclass for intermediate students given by Rising Star Xiaohui Yang. PHOTOS © JOHN RUDOFF

14 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG


Dedicated to presenting excellence in piano performance and to educating and enriching our community through outreach.

ESTABLISHED IN 1978

Keyboard View

Non-Keyboard View

Moveable Seating

STAGE

VENUELINCOLN PERFORMANCE HALL

1620 SW Park Avenue at Market Street

EARLY ACCESS TO THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE / UP TO 26% OFF SINGLE TICKET PRICING /

EASY EXCHANGES & $10 TICKET EXCHANGE FEE WAIVED

All performances are at 4pm in Lincoln Performance Hall at Portland State University.

SUBSCRIPTION EXCHANGES & TICKET DONATIONSCALL 503.228.1388 OR EMAIL [email protected]• Lincoln Hall performance tickets may be exchanged for future Lincoln Hall performance dates in the current

season, pending seat availability. Requests must be made at least 48 hours prior to the performance. Exchanges will be available after July 31, 2018.

• We regret that ticket payments cannot be refunded. If you cannot use your ticket(s) for any reason, please contact us by phone or email as soon as possible to donate your ticket(s) for resale! Portland Piano International is a 501 (c) 3 organization; a receipt will be mailed to you showing the value of your ticket(s).

GENERAL POLICIES & SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTS• Repertoire, artists, prices and schedule are subject to change.• Wheelchair and special access seating is available. Please call 503.228.1388 to make arrangements.• A limited number of student tickets are available at the door, prior to the performance. Student ID required.• Arts for All tickets are can be purchased at the door or by phone, subject to availability.

2018 / 2019 SEASON 15

BENEFITS OF SUBSCRIBING

HOW TO PURCHASE

CALL OUR OFFICE 503.228.1388 / Monday through Thursday / 9AM–4PM

PURCHASE ONLINE Visit portlandpiano.org

SINGLE TICKETS: Single tickets are available starting August 1, 2018. Pricing: $55 keyboard view $45 non-keyboard view

KEYBOARDVIEW

NON-KEYBOARDVIEW

$396A 26% DISCOUNT OFF SINGLE TICKET PRICES!






FULL SEASONAll 12 performances:2018: 10/6 & 7, 11/10 & 11, 12/1 & 22019: 1/26 & 27, 3/16 & 17, 5/3 & 5

SATURDAYS 6 performances:2018: 10/6, 11/10, 12/12019: 1/26, 3/16, 5/3 (note: Angela Hewitt performs Friday, May 3)

SUNDAYS6 performances:2018: 10/7, 11/11, 12/22019: 1/27, 3/17, 5/5

OLGA KERNSAT & SUN / OCT 6 & 7, 2018 / 4PM

BORIS GILTBURGSAT & SUN / NOV 10 & 11, 2018 / 4PM

BEHZOD ABDURAIMOVAND STANISLAV IOUDENITCHSAT & SUN / JAN 26 & 27, 2019 / 4PM

BENJAMIN GROSVENORSAT & SUN / MAR 16 & 17, 2019 / 4PM

ANGELA HEWITTFRI / MAY 3, 2019 / 7:30PMSUN / MAY 5, 2019 / 4PM

RACHEL CHEUNGSAT & SUN / DEC 1 & 2, 2018 / 4PM

2018 / 2019 SEASON


PORTLANDPIANO.ORG / 503.228.1388 / PO BOX 6469 PORTLAND OR 97228

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NON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAIDP O RT L A N D, O RPERMIT 2946

PO BOX 6469PORTLAND, OR 97228

PORTLANDPIANO.ORG503.228.1388

SUBSCRIBE NOW for best seats & up to 26% off single ticket pricing!

2018 / 2019 SEASON


THE SOLO PIANO SERIES - Portland Piano International

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