Clips & Articles: News & Events
Blooming with confidence
An interview with the British-Chinese composer — commissioned by the recently formed trio of pianist Gloria Chien, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron — ahead of the trio's upcoming Chamber Music Northwest concert.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch November 2025
The new Trio Afiori made its Portland debut Nov. 8 with clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist/Chamber Music Northwest co-artistic director Gloria Chien, and mezzo Fleur Barron performing lots of new music. See Angela's Oregon ArtsWatch story Photo by Ashworth Photography. Read More
Obscure Mozart
The Portland opera company presented one of Mozart’s youthful – and, until recently, unstaged – operas.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2025
"Scipio’s Dream" proved sopranos Holly Flack and Janet McIntyre could have switched roles seamlessly in OrpheusPDX’s August opera. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch review. Read More
Portland’s chamber-feast stars
Highlights from this year’s summer festival, with a postscript.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2025
Bach’s “Brandenburgs” coupled with Caroline Shaw's Bach-influenced piece, along with cellist Zlatomir Fung's artistry and composer Alistair Coleman’s "Ghost Art Canticles," kept standards high at 2025 summer Chamber Music Northwest festival. See Angela’s take. Read More
Protege prestige
Now in its fifteenth year, the program nurtures performers and composers already in the midst of their professional careers.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 20125
Young exceptional musicians learning how to contribute to the musical ecosystem capture Chamber Music Northwest protege positions. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch story. Photo by Tom Emerson. Read More
Turning 10
WVCFM celebrates its 10th season with commissioned work from this year’s composer-in-residence, Akshaya Tucker, alongside music by Caroline Shaw, Kian Ravaei, plus Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Schubert.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch March 2016
A decade in Oregon wine country marks a yearly lineup of contemporary composers, diversity of new and old works, and stellar wines for Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival’s 10-year summer run. See Angela’s Oregon ArtsWatch story. Read More
Passion for Coltrane and Bach
Imani Winds, Harlem Quartet, A.B. Spellman, and a jazz trio joined forces to bring Jeff Scott's award-winning homage to Bach and Coltrane back to Oregon.
Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2025
Jeff Scott’s Grammy-winning piece combines two giants’ music. See Angela’s review. Photo by Athena Delene. Read More
Bach’s “Markus Passion”
The actor, along with four singers and the OBF Baroque Orchestra directed by Julian Perkins, performed the Malcolm Bruno reconstruction of Bach's "pocket passion."
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2025
The pocket passion was lost — and found. See Angela’s review of the Oregon Bach Festival concert. Photo by Athena Delene. Read More
An unusual musician
The keyboardist, composer, and mathematician discusses his storied background; his performances of Bach and his own music at this year’s summer festivals; the church he bought in France; and why he never practices.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2025
Keyboardist/composer Kit Armstrong can play just about anything without practice. See Angela’s story. Photo by Tom Emerson. Read More
“Brandenburg” stars
CMNW co-directors Soovin Kim and Gloria Chien, mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, violinist Shunske Sato, harpsichordist Kit Armstrong, and other stellar musicians joined forces to perform Bach, Mendelssohn, and Mahler.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2025
Chamber Music Northwest’s virtuosos perform. See Angela’s review. Photo by Tom Emerson. Read More
Critics’ Bash, Allen take lead on MCANA board
Oregon ArtsWatch writer Bash is the North American critics' group's new president and fellow ArtsWatch writer Allen is re-elected as secretary on the executive board.
Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch June 2025
James Bash and Angela Allen have taken leadership roles in the Music Critics Association of North America. Read more. Read More
