The name of Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-1969), a renowned Polish composer and violinist, is not a name recognized in this country -- much less heard on the concert stage. Yet, as her Concerto for String Orchestra demonstrates, she is a composer of considerable merit. Tonight’s performance of her work carries on OMF’s legacy of introducing our community to new and distinguished artistic voices of international fame. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, on the other hand, is so well known that there is hardly anyone around that wouldn’t recognize it. Tuneful and brilliant in its poetic vigor and expression, it rightly holds an uncontested place in the string orchestra repertoire.

But the spotlight of tonight’s concert is on Francis Poulenc, and organist Joseph Adam, his interpreter. Poulenc’s is as a masterpiece of the highest order which allows a virtuoso organist such as Seattle-based Adam to exhibit his deft ability to traverse some very challenging and complex musical terrain. At the same time, Poulenc’s concerto is yet another piece of the festival’s program this season which celebrates the best of keyboard music.

Artists:
Joseph Adam, organ
String Quartet, tba
Oregon Festival Orchestra
Vlad Vizireanu, conductor

Program:
Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
for string quartet and string orchestra

Bacewicz: Concerto for String Orchestra

Poulenc: Concerto in g minor
for Organ, String Orchestra & Timpani

Tchaikovsky: Serenade in C, Op. 48