Feb. 11, 2014—On Tuesday, March 11, the acclaimed Oregon Wind Quintet, fresh from a well-received tour of the San Francisco Bay Area in January 2014, will present a concert entitled "Retro-Moderne," at 7:30 p.m. at The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland. Admission is free.
Part of the Portland-based March Music Moderne IV festival, the “Retro-Moderne” event will focus on new works for woodwinds, including the 2006 work "Shout Chorus" by Portland-based composer Kenji Bunch. Last year Bunch moved from New York to Portland, partially because of the Northwest’s unique music culture including events such as March Music Moderne.
“I can think of no better scenario to introduce my music to my new neighbors than to have the Oregon Wind Quintet perform my work ‘Shout Chorus’ as part of this year's festival,” said Bunch.
“This is a highly demanding, virtuosic work that pushes the instruments to the extreme,” Bunch continued, “but one that was written in the spirit of the infectious dance rhythms, humor, and joy of American big band jazz of the 1940s.”
Other concert selections will include Elliott Carter's Woodwind Quintet and Paul Hindemith’s Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2. UO saxophonist Idit Shner will join the quintet for performances of Alex Temple's "Thick Line" and Jean Francaix's "Sixtuor."
The acclaimed Oregon Wind Quintet is an ensemble-in-residence comprised of the woodwind faculty of the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, located in Eugene. The group explores traditional and new repertoire for wind quintet, as well as sextet combinations with their saxophone and piano faculty colleagues.
"We like to represent various time periods and musical styles in our programs,” said Molly Alicia Barth, a Grammy Award-winning flutist and member of the quintet, “so we’re incredibly honored to be included in this festival of modern music.”
The ensemble performs regularly throughout the Pacific Northwest, including recitals and clinics at middle schools and high schools. The quintet recently concluded a tour of the Bay Area, including a residency at the esteemed San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Barth says that the ensemble’s diverse material is key to its success.
“The music school at the University of Oregon prides itself on training musicians for the diverse set of skills necessary to thrive,” said Barth, “and the comprehensive nature of the programs we create reflects that goal.”
Oregon Wind Quintet personnel include Molly Alicia Barth, assistant professor of flute; Louis DeMartino, assistant professor of clarinet; Melissa Peña, assistant professor of oboe; Steve Vacchi, professor of bassoon; and Lydia Van Dreel, associate professor of horn.
Event details:
Oregon Wind Quintet: “Retro-Moderne”
Tuesday, March 11, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
The Old Church
1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland
Free admission