All Classical Portland | Arts Blog

All Classical Radio's Director of Programming John Pitman's latest interview is a timely one, in conjunction with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Memorial Day. Composer, pianist and vocalist Huang Ruo's latest recording 'An American Soldier' is a powerful and moving opera based on the true story of a young Chinese American Army named Pvt. Danny Chen, who was found dead at his base in Afghanistan in 2011, and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen's fellow soldiers. In this interview, John Pitman speaks with Huang. Ruo and his longtime creative partner, the librettist David Hwang ("M. Butterfly", "Yellow Face", and the Broadway production of "Tarzan" among others). Learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-ruo-american-soldier/

Renowned for his interpretations of the music of Russian composer and mystic, Alexander Scriabin, celebrated pianist Yevgeny Sudbin is host John Pitman's latest guest for this Arts Blog interview. Keep reading on the All Classical Radio Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-sudbins-flamme/

Imagine if we could hear, decades after a composer has passed, a note-for-note set of instructions of what how they intended their music to be heard? It's rarer than you might think. Recently, All Classical Radio's program director John Pitman had a conversation with the grandson of the Austrian born composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold – Leslie or “Les” Korngold – and John Mauceri, a conductor who has devoted his career to elevating the importance of music by Korngold. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-les-korngold/

This broadcast is inspired by the Oregon Symphony's The Nature of Music live performances, happening February 12th in Salem and February 13th in Portland. The Oregon Symphony's Associate Conductor Deanna Tham and co-host Amir Avsker, All Classical Radio and ICAN's 2023 Young Artist in Residence, will guide you through an imaginative journey through rivers, forests, and gardens—all brought to life through the theater of the mind and classical masterpieces.

All Classical Radio's John Pitman speaks with American pianist Simone Dinnerstein about her latest album, 'The Eye is the First Circle,' featuring iconic American composer Charles Ives' Concord Sonata. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-dinnerstein-eye/

In this interview with All Classical Program Director John Pitman, Roman shares his encounters with this serious, long-term illness, how it changed his approach to music and performing, and how it strengthened his connections with friends and fellow musicians, and the people who come to hear him play. Learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog:

All Classical Radio's Director of Music and Programming John Pitman recently spoke with John-Henry Crawford. Since the Louisiana-based cellist's 2021 debut, Dialogo, Crawford has always had "dialogues" with the composers whose music he performs, and his album featuring Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, is no exception. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-jhc/

All Classical Radio's Director of Music and Programming John Pitman recently spoke with violinist Augustin Hadelich about American Road Trip, and more. Hear their conversation below on the Arts Blog:

For this edition of John Pitman's Reviews, John has invited All Classical host and producer Lisa Lipton to sit down with Larry Schoenberg, son of composer Arnold Schoenberg. Lisa, along with microtonal composer Ritchie Green, and 45th Parallel Universe musicians Ron Blessinger and James Shields, asked Larry what it was like having one of the 20th century's greatest, and most controversial composers as a dad. Listen and learn more on the All Classical Radio Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-reviews-schoenberg/

All Classical Radio's Program Director John Pitman recently caught up with Hollywood actor and classical musician John Malkovich. Hear their hilarious chat about Malkovich's The Music Critic, a new recording from a recent Oregon Symphony concert in June 2024. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-malkovich/

In May 2024, pianist Christopher O'Riley was in Portland for a concert with his good friend, cellist Matt Haimovitz. All Classical Radio's Program Director, John Pitman, invited Christopher for an interview in the Roger O. Doyle Performance Studio, the day before their concert. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-christopher-oriley/

For this edition of John Pitman's Reviews, John has invited All Classical Radio host Warren Black to speak with the Danish String Quartet about their recent world premiere and get a preview of their upcoming new album, 'Keel Road.' The album features arrangements of folk music and more. Learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-wood-works/

ICAN's Audio Book Tour featuring Dame Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton! In this episode, All Classical's 2024 Young Artist in Residence, Elaina Stuppler, sits down with mother-daughter duo Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton to talk about their book, The Enchanted Symphony, and their upcoming book, Waiting in the Wings.

All Classical Radio's Program Director John Pitman shares his recent conversation with two members of the Neave Trio. They speak about their latest recording titled "A Room of Her Own." Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog:

Miloš, the superstar guitarist who has recorded the standard guitar repertoire, explored the Beatles, as well as the experience of isolation, returns with a carefully-curated collection of music of the 18th century. Learn more on the All Classical Radio Arts Blog:

For this edition of John Pitman's Reviews, John has invited All Classical Radio's host of our syndicated film music program, The Score, to review a beautiful new recording reimagining original film scores. "Night After Night" celebrates one of the richest collaborations between a contemporary film director and a composer – an all-new recording of music for M. Night Shyamalan's most acclaimed films by the Emmy®- and Grammy®-winning composer and nine-time Oscar® nominee James Newton Howard. Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog:

All Classical Radio's Program Director John Pitman shares his first-ever interview with Thibaut Garcia, discussing the guitarist's latest release, El Bohemio (Erato/Warner Classics). Keep reading on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-garcia-el-bohemio/

All Classical Radio's program director, John Pitman, chats with American violinist Randall Goosby about his second album with Decca Classics. The dynamic young soloist brings freshness to a concerto he first encountered as a teenager: Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, and shimmering performances of Florence Price's two Violin Concertos, with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. There's also a wonderful arrangement of Price's piece, Adoration, arranged especially for the Philadelphia's string section. Learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-goosby-concertos/

Plínio Fernandes is a London-based Brazilian guitarist who has just released his second album. Bacheando explores the long-established influence of Bach's music on Brazilian composers. He recently spoke to All Classical Radio host John Pitman about his latest album 'Bacheando.' Hear their conversation, and learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-fernandes-bacheando/

John Pitman Review The Menuhin Century by All Classical Radio

Composer Carlos Simon has received numerous awards and nominations for works such as 2021's Requiem for the Enslaved. He recently spoke to All Classical Radio host John Pitman about his latest album Together, a 10-track project that came about from the desire to simply make music with friends and colleagues, after the long period of separation during the pandemic. Hear John's full interview with Carlos Simon, woven with music excerpts from 'Together,' and more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-simons-together/

Andrew Brownell is a pianist and former Portlander who, recently stopped by for a chat with John Pitman about his latest album, "Shades of Night," available now on Divine Art. Enjoy their conversation and discover more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-brownell-night/

All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman recently spoke with American choral composer Eric Whitacre, who has a career now spanning over three decades, is one of the world's most popular composers among audiences and choirs alike. Learn more on the All Classical Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-whitacre-home/

All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman talks to British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, whose new album touches on the relationships of Brahms and Robert and Clara Schumann. Learn more on the Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-grosvenor-brahms/

Henry wants to be a Podcaster when he grows up, so the ICAN team set up an interview with his favorite podcaster, Mr. Eric, from What If World. Hear their conversation about what it takes to become a podcaster.

Noteworthy host Lynnsay Maynard speaks with American-Canadian author, filmmaker and Zen Buddhist priest Ruth Ozeki. Ozeki's novel 'A Tale for the Time Being' is the 2023 Everybody Reads pick by Multnomah County Library and The Library Foundation, presented in partnership with Literary Arts. Ruth Ozeki's award-winning novel A Tale for the Time Being tells the story of two strangers whose lives become connected across time and an ocean. Hear new episodes of Noteworthy Sundays at 1:00 PM PT at 89.9 FM in Portland, OR or worldwide at allclassical.org. Learn more about Noteworthy and host Lynnsay Maynard: https://www.allclassical.org/programs/noteworthy/

All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman talks to pianist Mao Fujita about his new album, Mozart: The Complete Piano Sonatas, available now from Sony. Learn more on the Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/mao-fujita-mozart/

Arctic is a new release by Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing that asks questions, through music, about the effects of climate change on the Arctic region, and on the life that exists there. Ms. Hemsing, who grew up near the Arctic Circle, says “the Arctic is often misrepresented as stark and uninhabitable wasteland.” Yet Hemsing explains that “it's a region of matchless beauty abounding in life, one that magically illustrates how all things cohere in fragile cycles." With new pieces by composers including Jacob Shea, Frode Fjellheim, and James Newton Howard, as well as Norwegian heroes of the past such as Ole Bull and Edvard Grieg, Arctic is a compelling compendium of musical ideas about a region that plays a vital role in the health of the entire planet.  Enjoy All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman's conversation with Eldbjørg Hemsing and learn more on the Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/john-pitman-review-eldbjorg-hemsings-arctic/

All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman has long admired the artistry of Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, having featured his recordings regularly over the past 30-plus years. His newest release is especially exciting because it includes rare recordings of the complete Poetic Tone Pictures by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. Keep reading on the All Classical Portland Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/pitman-review-andsness-poetic-tone-pictures/

An Adventure At Grannie's in English by All Classical Portland

An Adventure At Grannie's En Español by All Classical Portland

All Classical Portland Program Director John Pitman shares his latest review of a new album by violinist Hilary Hahn, which includes Dvořák's Violin Concerto, the Violin Concerto by Alberto Ginastera, and Pablo de Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy for violin and orchestra. The album, Eclipse, is available now on Deutsche Grammophon. Keep reading on the All Classical Portland Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/john-pitman-review-hilary-hahns-eclipse/

All Classical Portland Program Director John Pitman shares his latest review of a new album by British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The album is called “Song,” and is available now on Decca Records. Find the interview on the All Classical Portland Arts Blog:

All Classical Portland Program Director John Pitman shares his latest review of a new collection of works by William Grant Still.

Pianist, María García narrates and performs composer Dr. Gwyneth Walker's The Race, a fun new take on the beloved story of the Tortoise and the Hare. María loved reading stories with her daughter. This story, which teaches us slow and steady wins the race, uses sound effects using the piano and tempo to show how fast or slow the characters move. María narrates the story in Spanish and Sarah narrates the story in English.

Pianist, María García narrates and performs composer Dr. Gwyneth Walker's The Race, a fun new take on the beloved story of the Tortoise and the Hare. María loved reading stories with her daughter. This story, which teaches us slow and steady wins the race, uses sound effects using the piano and tempo to show how fast or slow the characters move. María narrates the story in Spanish and Sarah narrates the story in English.

Corazón is the second release by American cellist John-Henry Crawford (his first, titled Dialogo, was covered by John Pitman in 2021), and reflects the cellist's own experiences in performing in Mexico and Central America, as well as visiting family members there, such as his brother who is a member of the Peace Corps. Read more on the All Classical Portland Arts Blog: https://www.allclassical.org/arts-blog/

Where We Live host Adam Eccleston introduces us to beloved children's entertainer Nikki Brown Clown. She is Portland's first Black woman clown, and the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Good in the Hood Multicultural Music, Arts & Food Festival! Nikki uses dance, humor, and a love for her community to promote youth literacy. Learn more at nikkibrownclown.com.

Where We Live host Adam Eccleston explores Earthtones NW, an organization providing music, art, and horticultural therapies for those with autism, dementia, and developmental disabilities in Portland, Oregon. In May 2022, they partnered with the Portland Columbia Symphony to present a series of “Sensory-Friendly” concerts for individuals with sensory sensitivies, and those on the autism spectrum. Learn more at earthtonesnw.com.

Where we Live host Adam Eccleston speaks with Gregory Dubay, the Director of Portland's Community Music Center. CMC is a Portland Parks & Recreation program in partnership with the nonprofit Community Music Center, Inc. It has been a popular place for music lessons and concerts in Portland since 1955 and is now one of over 20 PP&R sites offering music instruction. Learn more at portland.gov/parks/community-music-center.

Where We Live host Adam Eccleston speaks to Alonzo Chadwick, Executive Director of BRAVO Youth Orchestras. BRAVO is inspired by El Sistema model founded in Venezuela in 1975 to improve the lives of underserved children through intensive orchestral instruction. The organization balances the goals of social improvement and musical rigor. Learn more at oregonbravo.org.

Portland musician and educator Aaron Nigel Smith talks about his collaborative album 'All One Tribe,' which celebrates the rich culture and diversity of Black voices. It was released in 2021 and has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Children's Music category. Where We Live, celebrating the arts and community leaders.

Host Raúl Gómez-Rojas revisits the Recording Inclusivity Initiative (RII), on the heels of its recent Local that Works contest win, presented by Current.org. Learn more about RII at ecordinginclusivity.allclassical.org.

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein chose the title "Undersong," an archaic term meaning "refrain", which can be found both in the individual pieces (Schumann's Arabesque, and Kreisleriana; Couperin's Les Barricade Mysterieuses), and throughout the entire album. "All of the music on this album consists of musical forms that have a refrain. Glass, Schumann, Couperin and Satie constantly revisit the same material in these pieces, worrying at it, shifting it to different harmonies and into different rhythmic shapes. Working with this music in the fall of 2020 was a constant reminder that in my afternoon walk in Green-wood Cemetery, I was quite literally treading a familiar path every day, a path that nonetheless had changed almost imperceptibly every time I left the house." - Dinnerstein

In his newest recording for Deutsche Grammophon (released September, 2021), Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson explores Mozart's music in the context of composers who came before him and who helped Mozart shape his distinctive and immediately recognizable style. Ólafsson speaks with program director John Pitman about how he made connections between Mozart and C.P.E. Bach, as well as important composers of Mozart's time who aren't so well known today, such as Baldassare Galuppi, whom Ólafsson regards as a very important and forward-thinking composer of the 18th century.

"Muse" is the name of the debut recording by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and his sister, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. The siblings have recorded together before, in the 2020 release, "Carnival of the Animals", and have performed live many times. "Muse" includes two major 20th century cello sonatas, by Samuel Barber (1932); and Sergei Rachmaninov (1901), as well as shorter pieces by both composers. Sheku and Isata share the joys of performing as siblings (there is no rivalry, both say), and the challenges that have become all too familiar in these times. Hear the rest of the story in their conversation with All Classical Portland's Program Director John Pitman.

John Pitman, All Classical Portland's Director of Music and Programming, interviews pianist Seong-Jin Cho about the sixth and latest album. Returning to the music of Frédéric Chopin with Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2, Cho's CD was recorded in April of 2021, in Hamburg and London. Seong-Jin shares with John the process, and the special challenges, of recording in a studio with an orchestra during the pandemic and offers his insight into the young Chopin's approach to the concerto form, as well as to the four Scherzi, which were written at various stages in the composer's life.

To mark a milestone birthday and celebrate a new chapter in his relationship with the label, French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet was given “carte blanche” by the Decca classical label to choose personal music that he has never recorded before—a selection that reflects on the people and pieces that have impacted his life as an artist while expanding his already diverse repertoire in new directions. Mr. Thibaudet's choices on his disc each have a unique story, and he shares the best with host John Pitman in the recorded conversation, which includes brief musical samples. Some pieces were specially arranged for the pianist, such as “Pride and Prejudice” by Dario Marianelli; others arranged by Thibaudet's teachers (Elgar's Salut d'amour one example); and still others were arranged by the pianist himself, including an astounding piano version of Barber's Adagio. Thibaudet's recording is as much a gift to us as it is to himself and will enhance playlists for years to come.

John's guest is Jerod Impichchaachaaha' (Im-pih-CHAH-chah-ha) Tate, whose 2009 composition, Lowak Shoppala' (LO-wak SHO-pah-la), an epic retelling of Chickasaw stories, received its world premiere recording this year. Jerod shares his own stories of growing up in a household of Western classical music, and strong ties to his indigenous roots as well.

John interviews Randall Goosby, whose debut on the Decca label, "Roots," was released this summer (and is being played on All Classical Portland regularly). The disc is an exploration of music written by Black composers and of composers inspired by Black American culture. Randall tells John Pitman about the importance and responsibility of bringing underrepresented composers into the repertoire, finding balance between violin study and sports; and the mentorship of the great violinist Itzhak Perlman, whose summer camp in New York is on, naturally, Shelter Island.

John Pitman, director of Music and Programming at All Classical Portland interviews Portland composer Kenji Bunch about an important world premiere happening a few states away, at the Moab Music Festival in Utah, on September 4. Inspired by the autobiographical accounts of the incarceration of United States citizens – Japanese-Americans, in World War II – “Lost Freedom: A Memory” is a chamber music piece that is woven with words spoken by a man who, as a boy, was one of those citizens forced from their homes and made to live in desolate camps thousands of miles away from where they had lived: Actor George Takei (Star Trek) will take part in the premiere at Moab Music Festival, reading his own words to Kenji's newly-composed score. Both Kenji Bunch and George Takei join John for this special Arts Blog conversation about the premiere: