Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Chamber Orchestra Camerata continues its 101st season with a mesmerizing program featuring both contemporary and classical works. The concert opens with the highly anticipated performance by the Concerto Competition Runner-up, Haruka Sakiyama, showcasing one of PYP’s emerging talents.
The evening then moves into the reflective tones of Isolation for String Orchestra by Dinah Bianchi, a contemplative piece that explores solitude through haunting melodies. Next, Eric Simonson’s Short Variations for String Orchestra presents a fresh and intricate take on theme and variation, offering both complexity and beauty.
Howard Hanson’s Fantasy for String Orchestra: Variations on a Theme of Youth delivers a nostalgic and poignant journey, while Polina Nazaykinskaya’s Symphony No. 2 brings the program into the present, with a work that captures the emotional depth and power of modern orchestral music. Kamyar Mohajer’s work (TBD) and Farhad Poupel’s Dance of the Blossoms add to the evening’s dynamic range, balancing traditional forms with contemporary energy.
