2015 / 2016 SEASONArnaldo Cohen, Artistic Director

PERFECTLY PIANO. PERFECTLY PORTLAND.

Noam Ben-Hamou

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 expand our programs (please see pages 10-11). I am very grateful for your support.

As we shift our recitals to Saturdays and Sundays – both in the afternoon – we intend 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!

FAST BECOMING THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE OF WORLD COMPETITION WINNERS

2014 RUBENSTEIN COMPETITION – TEL AVIV, ISRAEL2015 CHOPIN COMPETITION – MIAMI, FLORIDA

THE NORTHWEST’S P REMIER PIANO STORE

711 SW 14th Avenue - Portland, Oregon 97205 503.701.7403 - portlandpianocompany.com

Arnaldo CohenArtistic Director

Beloved Works Alongside Rarities...

Portland Piano International appreciates the generous support of our sponsors:

4 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 5

Melnikov reveals a kaleidoscope of color and moods…an exhilarating experience. – BBC Music Magazine

ALEXANDER MELNIKOV

SEP 26, 2015SAT 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Nationality: French

Born: Cherbourg

Lives: Paris

Teachers: Pierre Réach, Bruno Rigutto, Pascal Nemirovski, Genevieve Joy-Dutilleux

Age: 27

Noteworthy: At nine, first concert broadcast live on Radio-France At 11, entered Paris Conservatoire At 13, concerto debut, Paris recital debut and tour with the Orchestre National d’Ile de France Received Gramophone’s “Recording of the Month” twice before age 20

Recording Label: Naïve

OCT 24, 2015SAT 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

SEP 26 PROGRAM

Schubert: Fantasie in C Major Op., 15, D. 760 (Wanderer-fantasie); 3 Klavierstücke

Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 (Nos. 1-12)

SEP 27 PROGRAM

Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 (Nos. 13-24)

OCT 24 PROGRAM

Beethoven: Sonata in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3

Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit

Debussy: 6 Préludes

Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24

OCT 25 PROGRAM

Bach: Chromatic Fantaisie and Fugue

Bach/Busoni: Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659; Ich Ruf Zu Dir, BWV 639

Bach/Liszt: Prelude and Fugue in A minor

Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Theme and Variations in D minor, Op. 18b

Schumann: Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17

The audience had to remember to breathe…the exhilaration didn’t let up for a second.

– Washington Post

P D X D E B U T HH

LISE DE LA SALLE SEP 27, 2015SUN 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

OCT 25, 2015SUN 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Photo © Marco Borggreve

Nationality: Russian

Born: Moscow

Lives: Berlin

Teacher: Lev Naumov

Age: 42

Noteworthy: Protégé of Sviatoslav Richter Shostakovich: Preludes and Fugues named one of “50 Greatest Recordings of All Time” by BBC Music Magazine

Recording Label: Harmonia Mundi

Photo © Lynn Goldsmith

Beyond the Score | MON, OCT 26 | 10 AMFREE! See page 13 for details.

P D X D E B U T HH

lisedelasalle.com

6 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 7

Virtuosity meshed with a distinctive musicality throughout.– New York Times

CHARLIE ALBRIGHT

DEC 5, 2015SAT 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Nationality: Armenian

Born: Vanadzor, Armenia

Lives: Hannover, Germany

Teachers: Alexander Gurgenev, Heinz Medjimorec, Avedis Kouyoumdjan, Arie Vardi

Age: 26

Noteworthy: At age 14, youngest student admitted to Vienna’s University for Music and Performing Arts Winner, 2008 Montréal International Music Competition

Recording Label: Pentatone

JAN 16, 2016SAT 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

DEC 5 PROGRAM

Janácek: Sonata 1.X.1905

Beethoven: Eroica Variations

Chopin: 12 Studies, Op. 25

DEC 6 PROGRAM

Mozart: 12 Variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman

Chopin: Variations on Là ci darem la mano, Op. 2

Menotti: Ricercare and Toccata on a Theme from The Old Maid and the Thief

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

JAN 16 PROGRAM, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

Delalian: Dedicated to Komitas

Pärt: Für Alina

Babajanyan/Arghamanyan: Aria vocalise, Call Me, Andante

Komitas/Andriasyan: Selected works from 6 Songs

Komitas/Arghamanyan: Hommage à Komitas

Ekmalian/Arghamanyan: Two Sharakans

Stravinsky/Agosti: Three movements from The Firebird Suite

JAN 17 PROGRAM

Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26

Brahms: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117

Medtner: from Vergessene Weisen, Op. 28

Rachmaninov: Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5; Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3

Rachmaninov/Wild: O Cease the Singing, Op. 4, No. 4; Sorrow in Springtime, Op. 21, No. 12; Dreams, Op. 38, No. 5; Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14

Gershwin/Wild: The Man I Love; Embraceable You

Balakirev: Islamey

…her quiet lyricism was as magical as her powerhouse pyrotechnics.

– Musical America

P D X D E B U T HH

NAREH ARGHAMANYANarghamanyan.com

DEC 6, 2015SUN 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

JAN 17, 2016SUN 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Photo © Stan Giske

Nationality: American

Born: Centralia, WA

Lives: New York

Teachers: Nancy Adsit, Wha-Kyung Byun, Yoheved Kaplinsky

Age: 27

Noteworthy: First classical pianist accepted to the Harvard University/New England Conservatory Joint Program, graduating with a B.A. in Pre-Med and Economics from Harvard and Master of Music from NECM Five-time collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma Recipient of Avery Fisher

Career Grant (2014)

Recording Label: CAPC Music

Photo © Julia Wesely

charliealbright.com

8 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 9

…played with unerring precision and exhilarating abandon…a name to watch. – Gramophone

Perahia’s extraordinary pianism is a sacrament of purification and a kind of return to an age of pianistic innocence.

– Los Angeles Times

JOSEPH MOOG

MAR 12, 2016SAT 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Portland Piano International Recitals: December 1981, April 2004, March 2007

Nationality: American

Born: The Bronx, NY

Lives: London

Teachers: Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Rudolf Serkin, Alexander Schneider, Pablo Casals

Age: 68

Noteworthy: 1972, winner Leeds International Piano Competition Principal Guest Conductor, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields 2004, Awarded honorary Knight of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of his outstanding service to music Recipient of two Grammy Awards and several Gramophone Awards, including first ever Piano Award in 2012

Recording Label: Sony Classical

Program to be announced.

APR 10, 2016SUN 2 PMARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL

MAR 12 PROGRAM

Bach: Italian Concerto, BWV 92

Brahms: 4 Ballades, Op. 10

Liszt: Deux Légendes; Les jeux d’eau à la Villa d’Este; Hexaméron

MAR 13 PROGRAM

Tchaikovsky: Grande Sonata in G Major, Op. 37

Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse; Trois Images Oubliées

Godowsky: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Strauss’ Fledermaus

A NOTE FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: I will announce the 2016 / 2017 season at Murray’s recital and I invite you to join me at a reception to toast the next season! Subscribers will be first in line for 2016 / 2017 season tickets. – Arnaldo Cohen

P D X D E B U T HH

MURRAY PERAHIAmurrayperahia.com

MAR 13, 2016SUN 4 PMLINCOLN HALL

Photo © Paul Marc Mitchell

Nationality: German

Born: Ludwigshafen, Germany

Lives: Hannover, Germany

Teachers: Bernd Glemser, Arie Vardi

Age: 28

Noteworthy: At 10, entered the University of Music Karlsruhe Concert debut in Rio de Janeiro at 12 New Artist of the Year 2012 Recipient, International Classical Music Award 2014 Solo Instrumentalist of the Year 2014 for his CD Scarlatti Illuminated

Recording Label: Onyx Classics Photo © Nana Watanabe

josephmoog.de

Beyond the Score | MON, MAR 14 | 10 AMFREE! See page 13 for details.

10 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 2015 / 2016 SEASON 11

EDUCATION & OUTREACH: Piano’s Future is Now, at PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL.

Under Artistic Director Arnaldo Cohen, Portland Piano International has

undertaken several bold initiatives, to make solo piano performance

MORE ACCESSIBLE to a broad range of audiences, to offer

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES to the next generation of virtuosos,

to commission NEW WORKS FOR SOLO PIANO by Oregon composers

and to inspire Oregon piano teachers to develop NEW TEACHING

SKILLS AND GREATER PASSION for their craft.

COMMISSIONING PROJECTThrough 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 closely with Rising Stars artists who will then perform the works in free, interactive concerts in Portland and beyond.

RISING STARS PROGRAMPortland Piano International has always championed up-and-coming pianists. Many Portland Piano International artists play here just before international fame. Rising Stars presents exceptionally talented performers on the cusp of professional careers, in one-hour, conversational, free recitals around the state and visits to community music programs. With Rising Stars, we break down walls and invite people of all ages to join the audience, and the conversation.

THOLEN FELLOWS PROJECTTeaching is critical to the future of piano performance. Through the Nellie Tholen Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Portland Piano International brings accomplished pianists and professors to rural Oregon to work with teachers motivated to advance their skills. The Project, named in honor of legendary Nellie Tholen who taught piano in Portland for 62 years, encourages teachers to become leaders in their communities.

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL SUMMER FESTIVALThe Summer Festival is an immersive experience in all things piano that takes place over a long June weekend on the lush campus of Lewis & Clark College. Workshops, lecture/demonstrations, film screenings and recitals take place in a convivial atmosphere of conversation, artist-mingling and social gathering. Day or Festival passes are encouraged, but single recital tickets are also available.

SUMMER FESTIVAL | JUNE 18–21, 2015 Join us! Sign up online or by phone.

Photo © Yupeng Gu Photo © Yupeng Gu

Photo © Jim Leisy

Photo © Andie Petkus

2015 / 2016 SEASON 13

T h e O f f i c i a l R e s t a u r a n t o f P o r t l a n d P i a n o I n t e r n a t i o n a l

1239 SW Broadway Port land, OR 97205 (503) 222-9070Mon-Fr i 11:30am-12:00am / Sat & Sun 4:00pm-12:00am

Higginsad2015.indd 1 4/22/15 10:24 AM

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.

ALL YOU NEED IS CURIOSITY AND A COUPLE OF HOURS TO PURSUE IT.

LOCATION: Portland Piano Company 711 SW 14th at Morrison in the Tiffany CenterPublic transit: Providence Park MAX Station

LISE DE LA SALLEOCT 26, 2015MON 10 AM Free

JOSEPH MOOGMAR 14, 2016MON 10 AM Free

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.

Beyond the Score with Simone Dinnerstein, Photos © Owen Carey

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• Early access to the best seats in the house• Up to 20% off single ticket pricing• No-fee ticket exchange, pending seat availability

HOW to SUBSCRIBE

Dedicated to presenting excellence in piano performance and to educating and enriching our

community through outreach.

ESTABLISHED IN 1978

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL VENUES

NOTE: Single tickets for Lincoln Hall performances will be available starting August 1, 2015. Single ticket pricing in Lincoln Hall: $55 keyboard side, $45 non-keyboard side. Perahia tickets in dark gray on seating map available now (various pricing).

SUBSCRIPTION EXCHANGES & TICKET DONATIONSCall 503.228.1388 or email tickets@portlandpiano.org• 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.

• 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).

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 $20 single student tickets available one hour prior to the performance. Student

ID required.• Arts for All tickets available by phone at least 48 hours prior to the performance; none at door.

CALL OUR OFFICE: 503.228.1388 betweenMonday and Thursday, 9 AM – 4 PM

PURCHASE ONLINE: visit portlandpiano.org (after August 1)

Primary Venue

LINCOLN HALL1620 SW Park at Market

April 10, 2016 Perahia Performance

ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL1037 SW Broadway at Main

Seats available with any subscription.

Premium seats requiring an additional $25 per subscription (included with Full Season subscriptions).

All remaining subscription seats available as single tickets August 1.

NON-KEYBOARD SIDE

(B) NON-KEYBOARD SIDE

KEYBOARD SIDE

(A) KEYBOARD SIDE

Single tickets now available.

BENEFITS ofSUBSCRIBING

Design: Heckles Creative Marketing: Cynthia Kirk/(syn•tax)

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FULL SEASON $528 $396

All 11 performances: 2015: 9/26-27, 10/24-25, 12/5-62016: 1/16-17, 3/12-13, 4/10*

SATURDAYS + PERAHIA

$288 $216 Includes 6 performances: 2015: 9/26, 10/24, 12/52016: 1/16, 3/12, 4/10*

SUNDAYS $288 $216

Includes 6 performances:2015: 9/27, 10/25, 12/62016: 1/17, 3/13, 4/10*

SUBSCRIPTION TYPEKeyboard

SideNon-keyboard

SidePremium Seats

for Perahia

* All performances are at Lincoln Hall except for Murray Perahia on 4/10/16, which is at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Premium Seating

INCLUDED

Premium Seating

+$25 per seat

Premium Seating

+$25 per seat

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL PO Box 6469 Portland OR 97228 PORTLANDPIANO.ORG 503.228.1388

Played by hand, HEARD BY HEART.

PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONALpresents the

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LISE DE LA SALLE OCT 24, 2015 OCT 25, 2015SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM

CHARLIE ALBRIGHT DEC 5, 2015 DEC 6, 2015SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM

NAREH ARGHAMANYAN JAN 16, 2016 JAN 17, 2016SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM

JOSEPH MOOG MAR 12, 2016 MAR 13, 2016SAT 4 PM SUN 4 PM

MURRAY PERAHIA APR 10, 2016SUN 2 PM

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