In Monday’s (4/27) Oregonian (Portland, Oregon), David Stabler writes about the Oregon Symphony musicians’ pleasure when they found out the group had been chosen to participate in the inaugural Spring for Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2011. “For the Oregon Symphony’s centennial in 1996, there was discussion about playing Carnegie Hall. When orchestras turn 100, an invitation to Carnegie is routine. The cost of the trip was a factor, but ultimately administrators decided the orchestra wasn’t artistically ready. Now, after five years and considerable improvements under the disciplined baton of Carlos Kalmar, symphony folks think the orchestra is ready for its close-up. The Oregon Symphony will be one of seven orchestras—Montreal; Atlanta; Dallas; Toledo, Ohio; Albany, N.Y.; St. Paul, Minn., are the others—to perform as part of the first Spring for Music Festival, a new concert series in the venerable hall.” Stabler interviews several of the orchestra’s musicians, including Evan Kuhlmann, assistant principal bassoon; Jennifer Arnold, viola; Tom Scott, cello; Robert Taylor, assistant principal trombone; Alicia DiDonato Paulsen, assistant principal flute; and principal cellist Nancy Ives. Says Kuhlmann, “I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for the orchestra, and for the city too. … We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I know we can make Portland proud.”
Posted April 28, 2009
Photo: Music Director Carlos Kalmar conducting the Oregon Symphony
