PPI concerto competition winner, Michael Gu, performs with Portland Youth Philharmonic

Michael Gu, PPI’s Concerto Competition First Prizewinner

The Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP), the country’s longest running youth orchestra, invites you to join them in-person at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on March 5, 2022 at 7:30 PM for Russian Winter: Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev. This event will also be livestreamed!

The event’s most notable highlight will be the performance by piano soloist, Michael Gu, Portland Piano International’s 2020-2021 Concerto Competition winner. Alongside the Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Read more about Michael on PYP’s blog.

“The Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 1 sticks out to me due to its unconventional style of music writing,” Michael said. “It begins with a triumphant fanfare that leads into an almost militaristic and percussive rhythmic section. From there, we see a great contrast into a dreamy world of mystery. After that, you’ll just have to see what comes next for yourself!”

In addition to Prokofiev’s piece, audience members can look forward to performances of William Grant Still’s Threnody: In Memory of Jan Sibelius and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5.

“Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony has, for generations, been a challenge and an inspiration to young musicians.” Hattner said. “Its length and difficulty equal its beauty and emotional complexity. Each generation of PYP musicians who have performed it formed permanent memories of the grit and teamwork through which they conquered this symphonic giant.”

The evening’s program will open with a performance by the PYP String Ensemble and their conductor, Inés Voglar Belgique, featuring several pieces, including new composition, Moon Swing, by Tatev Amiryan. PYP premiered one of Tatev’s pieces, written as part of the Youth Orchestra Commissioning Initiative, in April 2021.

PYP believes in providing a great music education to all of their young musicians. They are proud to offer challenging pieces to help students reach their full potential and move to the next step in their musical journeys; in fact, many of their students go on to have successful careers in music after their time with PYP has come to a close.

“It is a great honor to perform with PYP,” Michael stated. “[Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1] took countless hours and meticulous technical practice to learn. In terms of emotional complexity, it was necessary to create a personal narrative in order for this piece to come together. Through events like [Russian Winter], [the musicians of PYP] have the opportunity to give back to the community what we’ve learned, which I believe is a magical gift.”

“I look forward to telling a story for you, the audience, to listen to and be immersed in,” Michael fondly commented.

PYP is a member of the Portland Performing Arts Vaccine Coalition. To attend the performance, PYP requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test, administered by a healthcare provider within 72 hours of the event. All people ages 5 and up will also be required to wear masks over nose and mouth while inside the concert hall.

In-person tickets start at $10 for seniors, $15 for adults, and livestream passes are $13. To learn more about the concert, musical artists, and to purchase tickets, visit portlandyouthphil.org/concerts; in-person tickets may also be purchased at the venue door.