2015 / 2016 SEASON Arnaldo Cohen, Artistic Director

PERFECTLY PIANO. PERFECTLY PORTLAND. FAST BECOMING THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE OF WORLD COMPETITION WINNERS Beloved Works Alongside Rarities... 2014 RUBENSTEIN COMPETITION – TEL AVIV, ISRAEL 2015 CHOPIN COMPETITION – MIAMI, FLORIDA AS I LOOK FORWARD to my third season as artistic director of Portland Piano International, I am gratified by the artistry and camaraderie we have shared. Together, we continue to cross new frontiers and THE NORTHWEST’S P REMIER expand our programs (please see pages PIANO STORE 10-11). I am very grateful for your support. As we shift our recitals to Saturdays and Sundays – both in the afternoon – we intend Arnaldo Cohen Artistic Director to expand our growing circle of music lovers. Please bring your family and friends!

This season Portland Piano International offers an astonishing range of repertoire, with 11 completely different recital programs! Through music, we honor solemn anniversaries – 40 years since Shostakovich’s death and one century since the Armenian genocide. We hear beloved works alongside rarities like Janácek’s Sonata and Liszt’s Hexameron (variations on Bellini’s opera The Puritans). We delight in Chopin’s witty response to Mozart’s 12 Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman as well as Earl Wild’s virtuosic transcriptions of Rachmaninov and Gershwin.

Our season ends with the towering talent of Murray Perahia, the eminent American pianist acclaimed throughout the world. In order to meet ticket demand for his rare Portland appearance on April 10, 2016, we present Mr. Perahia in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and urge an early subscription purchase to secure the very best seats (see page 14-15 for details).

Our season includes artists from Russia, France, America, Germany and Armenia, four Portland debuts, and music from all over the world and across centuries. Please join the voyage of discovery that is Portland Piano International’s 2015 / 2016 season!

Portland Piano International appreciates the generous support of our sponsors: Noam Ben-Hamou

711 SW 14th Avenue - Portland, Oregon 97205 503.701.7403 - portlandpianocompany.com SEP 26, 2015 H PDX DEBUT H H PDX DEBUT H OCT 24, 2015 SAT 4 PM SAT 4 PM LINCOLN HALL LISE DE LA SALLE LINCOLN HALL lisedelasalle.com SEP 27, 2015 ALEXANDER MELNIKOV OCT 25, 2015 SUN 4 PM SUN 4 PM LINCOLN HALL LINCOLN HALL

Nationality: Russian Nationality: French

Born: Moscow Born: Cherbourg

Lives: Berlin Lives: Paris

Teacher: Lev Naumov Teachers: Pierre Réach, Bruno Rigutto, Pascal Age: 42 Nemirovski, Genevieve Joy-Dutilleux Noteworthy: Protégé of Sviatoslav Richter Age: 27 Shostakovich: Preludes and Fugues named Noteworthy: At nine, one of “50 Greatest first concert broadcast Recordings of All Time” live on Radio-France by BBC Music Magazine At 11, entered Paris Conservatoire At 13, Recording Label: Photo © Lynn Goldsmith concerto debut, Paris Harmonia Mundi recital debut and tour with The audience had to remember to breathe… the Orchestre National d’Ile de France Received Photo © Marco Borggreve the exhilaration didn’t let up for a second. Gramophone’s “Recording – Washington Post of the Month” twice before age 20 Melnikov reveals a kaleidoscope of color and moods… Recording Label: Naïve an exhilarating experience. – BBC Music Magazine Beyond the Score | MON, OCT 26 | 10 AM FREE! See page 13 for details.

SEP 26 PROGRAM SEP 27 PROGRAM OCT 24 PROGRAM OCT 25 PROGRAM Schubert: Fantasie in C Major Op., 15, Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Beethoven: Sonata in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3 Bach: Chromatic Fantaisie and Fugue D. 760 (Wanderer-fantasie); 3 Klavierstücke Op. 87 (Nos. 13-24) Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit Bach/Busoni: Nun Komm Der Heiden Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Heiland, BWV 659; Ich Ruf Zu Dir, BWV 639 Debussy: 6 Préludes Op. 87 (Nos. 1-12) Bach/Liszt: Prelude and Fugue in A minor Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Theme and Variations in D minor, Op. 18b Schumann: Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17

4 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 5 DEC 5, 2015 H PDX DEBUT H JAN 16, 2016 SAT 4 PM SAT 4 PM LINCOLN HALL NAREH ARGHAMANYAN LINCOLN HALL CHARLIE ALBRIGHT arghamanyan.com DEC 6, 2015 charliealbright.com JAN 17, 2016 SUN 4 PM SUN 4 PM LINCOLN HALL LINCOLN HALL

Nationality: American Nationality: Armenian

Born: Centralia, WA Born: Vanadzor, Armenia

Lives: New York Lives: Hannover, Germany

Teachers: Nancy Adsit, Teachers: Alexander Wha-Kyung Byun, Gurgenev, Heinz Yoheved Kaplinsky Medjimorec, Avedis Kouyoumdjan, Arie Vardi Age: 27 Age: 26 Noteworthy: First classical pianist accepted to the Noteworthy: At age 14, Harvard University/New youngest student admitted England Conservatory Joint to Vienna’s University for Program, graduating with Photo © Julia Wesely Music and Performing a B.A. in Pre-Med and Arts Winner, 2008 Economics from Harvard Montréal International and Master of Music …her quiet lyricism was as magical as Music Competition from NECM Five-time collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma her powerhouse pyrotechnics. Recording Label: Photo © Stan Giske Recipient of Avery Fisher – Musical America Pentatone Career Grant (2014)

Recording Label: Virtuosity meshed with a distinctive JAN 16 PROGRAM, dedicated to the 100th JAN 17 PROGRAM CAPC Music musicality throughout. anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, – New York Times Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 Op. 26 Delalian: Dedicated to Komitas Brahms: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117 Pärt: Für Alina Medtner: from Vergessene Weisen, Op. 28 DEC 5 PROGRAM DEC 6 PROGRAM Babajanyan/Arghamanyan: Aria vocalise, Rachmaninov: Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5; Janácek: Sonata 1.X.1905 Mozart: 12 Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman Call Me, Andante Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3 Beethoven: Eroica Variations Chopin: Variations on Là ci darem la mano, Op. 2 Komitas/Andriasyan: Selected works from Rachmaninov/Wild: O Cease the Singing, 6 Songs Op. 4, No. 4; Sorrow in Springtime, Op. 21, Chopin: 12 Studies, Op. 25 Menotti: Ricercare and Toccata on a Theme from No. 12; Dreams, Op. 38, No. 5; Vocalise, The Old Maid and the Thief Komitas/Arghamanyan: Hommage à Komitas Op. 34, No. 14 Ekmalian/Arghamanyan: Two Sharakans Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Gershwin/Wild: The Man I Love; Stravinsky/Agosti: Three movements from Embraceable You The Firebird Suite Balakirev: Islamey

6 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 7 MAR 12, 2016 H PDX DEBUT H APR 10, 2016 SAT 4 PM SUN 2 PM LINCOLN HALL ARLENE SCHNITZER MURRAY PERAHIA CONCERT HALL JOSEPH MOOG murrayperahia.com MAR 13, 2016 josephmoog.de Portland Piano International Recitals: SUN 4 PM December 1981, April LINCOLN HALL 2004, March 2007 Nationality: American Nationality: German Born: The Bronx, NY Born: Ludwigshafen, Lives: London Germany Teachers: Mieczyslaw Lives: Hannover, Germany Horszowski, Rudolf Serkin, Teachers: Bernd Glemser, Alexander Schneider, Arie Vardi Pablo Casals

Age: 28 Age: 68

Noteworthy: At 10, Noteworthy: 1972, entered the University of winner Leeds International Music Karlsruhe Concert Piano Competition debut in Rio de Janeiro Principal Guest Conductor, at 12 New Artist of the Academy of St. Martin Year 2012 Recipient, in the Fields 2004, Awarded honorary Knight International Classical Photo © Paul Marc Mitchell Music Award 2014 of the British Empire Solo Instrumentalist of by Queen Elizabeth II, the Year 2014 for his CD in recognition of his Scarlatti Illuminated …played with unerring precision and outstanding service to exhilarating abandon…a name to watch. music Recipient of two Recording Label: Grammy Awards and – Gramophone Onyx Classics Photo © Nana Watanabe several Gramophone Awards, including first ever Piano Award in 2012

Perahia’s extraordinary pianism is a Recording Label: MAR 12 PROGRAM MAR 13 PROGRAM sacrament of purification and a kind of Sony Classical Bach: Italian Concerto, BWV 92 Tchaikovsky: Grande Sonata in G Major, Op. 37 return to an age of pianistic innocence. Program to be announced. Brahms: 4 Ballades, Op. 10 Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse; Trois Images Oubliées – Los Angeles Times Liszt: Deux Légendes; Les jeux d’eau à la Godowsky: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Villa d’Este; Hexaméron Strauss’ Fledermaus A NOTE FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: I will announce the 2016 / 2017 season at Murray’s recital and Beyond the Score | MON, MAR 14 | 10 AM I invite you to join me at a reception to toast the next season! FREE! See page 13 for details. Subscribers will be first in line for 2016 / 2017 season tickets. – Arnaldo Cohen 8 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 9 COMMISSIONING PROJECT Through the Commissioning Project, Portland Piano International builds the solo piano repertoire for the 21st century and beyond. Beginning with the 2015 / 2016 season, we will premiere new solo works for piano by Oregon composers, working very Photo © Jim Leisy closely with Rising Stars artists who will then perform the works in free, interactive concerts in Portland and beyond. EDUCATION & OUTREACH: Piano’s Future is Now, at PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL. THOLEN FELLOWS PROJECT Teaching is critical to the future of piano Under Artistic Director Arnaldo Cohen, Portland Piano International has performance. Through the Nellie Tholen Fund undertaken several bold initiatives, to make solo piano performance of the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland Piano International brings accomplished pianists MORE ACCESSIBLE to a broad range of audiences, to offer and professors to rural Oregon to work with PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES to the next generation of virtuosos, teachers motivated to advance their skills. The Project, named in honor of legendary Nellie to commission NEW WORKS FOR SOLO PIANO by Oregon composers Tholen who taught piano in Portland for 62 years, encourages teachers to become leaders and to inspire Oregon piano teachers to develop NEW TEACHING in their communities. Photo © Andie Petkus SKILLS AND GREATER PASSION for their craft.

SUMMER FESTIVAL | JUNE 18–21, 2015 PORTLAND PIANO Join us! Sign up online or by phone. RISING STARS PROGRAM INTERNATIONAL Portland Piano International has always SUMMER FESTIVAL championed up-and-coming pianists. Many The Summer Festival is an immersive Portland Piano International artists play here experience in all things piano that takes just before international fame. Rising Stars place over a long June weekend on the presents exceptionally talented performers lush campus of Lewis & Clark College. on the cusp of professional careers, in one- Workshops, lecture/demonstrations, film hour, conversational, free recitals around screenings and recitals take place in a the state and visits to community music convivial atmosphere of conversation, programs. With Rising Stars, we break down artist-mingling and social gathering. Day walls and invite people of all ages to join the or Festival passes are encouraged, but audience, and the conversation. single recital tickets are also available. Photo © Yupeng Gu Photo © Yupeng Gu

10 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 11 The Official Restaurant of Portland Piano International

Beyond the Score

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL invites you deeper into the piano experience with Beyond the Score. In these one-on-one sessions, our recitalists openly share the insight gained from lives devoted to piano study and performance with advanced piano students and an invited, rapt audience: you.

THESE INTIMATE work sessions are integral to one of Portland Piano International’s LISE core values: music education. The sessions are FREE DE LA SALLE and offer an extraordinary opportunity to see and hear OCT 26, 2015

the interaction between Goldsmith Photo © Lynn MON 10 AM Free teacher and student, each working to create a break- through to a new level of artistry for the student. JOSEPH You needn’t be an expert, a MOOG teacher or student or even a pianist to enjoy and profit MAR 14, 2016

from Beyond the Score. Marc Mitchel Photo © Paul MON 10 AM Free

ALL YOU NEED IS LOCATION: Portland Piano Company CURIOSITY AND A COUPLE 711 SW 14th at Morrison in the Tiffany Center OF HOURS TO PURSUE IT. Public transit: Providence Park MAX Station 1239 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97205 (503) 222-9070

Mon-Fri 11:30am-12:00am / Sat & Sun 4:00pm-12:00am Beyond the Score with Simone Dinnerstein, Photos © Owen Carey 2015 / 2016 SEASON 13

Higginsad2015.indd 1 4/22/15 10:24 AM • Early access to the best seats in the house of PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL VENUES BENEFITS • Up to 20% off single ticket pricing SUBSCRIBING • No-fee ticket exchange, pending seat availability Primary Venue April 10, 2016 Perahia Performance LINCOLN HALL ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL NOTE: Single tickets for Lincoln 1620 SW Park at Market 1037 SW Broadway at Main HOW to SUBSCRIBE Hall performances will be available starting August 1, 2015. Single ticket CALL OUR OFFICE: 503.228.1388 between pricing in Lincoln Hall: $55 keyboard STAGE STAGE Monday and Thursday, 9 AM – 4 PM A A side, $45 non-keyboard side. Perahia B B C PURCHASE ONLINE: visit portlandpiano.org tickets in dark gray on seating map C ORCHESTRA LEVEL (after August 1) available now (various pricing). E D E D F B C F G A D G H Keyboard Non-keyboard Premium Seats H SUBSCRIPTION TYPE J Side Side for Perahia J B C A B K K L L A D FULL SEASON M All 11 performances: Premium Seating M B C 2015: 9/26-27, 10/24-25, 12/5-6 $528 $396 INCLUDED P N P N Q 2016: 1/16-17, 3/12-13, 4/10* Q R R S T SATURDAYS + PERAHIA S Includes 6 performances: Premium Seating T 2015: 9/26, 10/24, 12/5 $288 $216 +$25 per seat DRESS CIRCLE A E 2016: 1/16, 3/12, 4/10* B D (A) KEYBOARD SIDE C C (B) NON-KEYBOARD SIDE SUNDAYS A MEZZANINE E Includes 6 performances: Premium Seating B D $288 $216 C C 2015: 9/27, 10/25, 12/6 +$25 per seat 2016: 1/17, 3/13, 4/10* A E B LOWER BALC D * All performances are at Lincoln Hall except for Murray Perahia on 4/10/16, which is at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall C C A E UPPER BALC SUBSCRIPTION EXCHANGES & TICKET DONATIONS B D Call 503.228.1388 or email [email protected] C C • Tickets may be exchanged for future performance dates in the current season, pending seat availability. Requests must be made at least 48 hours prior to the performance. Exchanges will be permitted after August 1, 2015. KEYBOARD SIDE NON-KEYBOARD SIDE • We regret that tickets 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). Seats available with any subscription.

GENERAL POLICIES & SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTS Premium seats requiring an additional $25 per Dedicated to presenting excellence subscription (included with Full Season subscriptions). • Repertoire, artists, prices and schedule are subject to change. in piano performance and to • Wheelchair and special access seating is available. Please call 503.228.1388 to make arrangements. educating and enriching our Single tickets now available. • A limited number of $20 single student tickets available one hour prior to the performance. Student community through outreach. ID required. All remaining subscription seats available • Arts for All tickets available by phone at least 48 hours prior to the performance; none at door. ESTABLISHED IN 1978 as single tickets August 1.

Design: Heckles Creative Marketing: Cynthia Kirk/(syn•tax) PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL presents the 2015 / 2016 SEASON H ALEXANDER MELNIKOV SEP 26, 2015 SEP 27, 2015 Russian SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM PDX DEBUT H H LISE DE LA SALLE OCT 24, 2015 OCT 25, 2015 French

SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM PDX DEBUT H H CHARLIE ALBRIGHT DEC 5, 2015 DEC 6, 2015 PDX DEBUT SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM American H

NAREH ARGHAMANYAN JAN 16, 2016 JAN 17, 2016

SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM Armenian H JOSEPH MOOG MAR 12, 2016 MAR 13, 2016 German SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM PDX DEBUT H

MURRAY PERAHIA APR 10, 2016

SUN 2 PM American

Played by hand, HEARD BY HEART. PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL PO Box 6469 Portland OR 97228 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 503.228.1388 PO Box 6469 Portland OR 97228 NON PROFIT ORG PORTLANDPIANO.ORG US POSTAGE PAID [email protected] PORTLAND, OR 503.228.1388 PERMIT 2946

2015 / 2016 SEASON

SUBSCRIBE NOW for best seats in the house & up to 20% off single ticket pricing!