Angela Allen

Chamber music goes modern

The trio–piano, violin, clarinet–opened CMNW’s non-summer season with music by Brahms, Bartók, Stravinsky, and Ravel.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch October 2024

Chamber Music Northwest musicians Soovin Kim, Gloria Chien and David Shifrin explain today’s music with Brahms and Bartok. See Angela’s review. Photo by Tom Emerson. Read More

South-of-the border jazz

The Mexican singer and Brazilian guitarist performed songs from Herrera’s recent albums.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch October 2024

Vocalist Magos Herrera and guitarist Vinicius Gomes bring straight-to-the-heart tunes to Portland. See Angela’s story.Photo by @normederphoto for PDX Jazz. Read More

Poetic, powerful “Shizue”

After a short run at the Brunish Theatre, Portland Opera To Go will take the internment-themed opera to schools across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch October 2024

Portland Opera premiere about a Hood River Japanese family speaks to wartime atrocity and immigrant resilience. See Angela’s review.Photo by Chris Kim. Read More

Handmaid’s horror tale

Poul Ruders and Paul Bentley’s setting of the Margaret Atwood classic, running at SFO through Oct. 1, offered many disturbing moments and little peace.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch September 2024

The San Francisco's Opera’s "The Handmaid’s Tale"" is important — and very dark. See Angela’s review. Photo by Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Read More

Kevin Day, promising composer

Talking about growing up with gospel and hip-hop, composing string quartets and opera, playing tuba, and the spontaneity of composition with this year’s WVCMF composer-in-residence.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch September 2024

See Angela’s story about Kevin Day, an artist who mixes up genres in his music. Photo by Rachel Hadiashar. Read More

Handel charmer

Katherine Whyte, Hannah Penn, and Douglas Williams shone in the English Baroque composer’s colorful, Italian-drenched opera.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2024

Based on a myth, Handel’s “Acis Galatea and Polyphemus” charmed the audience and this critic. See Angela’s review. Photo by Owen Carey. Read More

Fairytale opera

The dark, haunting opera starred Lisa Marie Rogali and Madeline Ross in a setting of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch August 2024

David Herzberg’s "The Rose Elf,"an OrpheusPDX production, was haunting and utterly original. See Angela’s review. Photo by Owen Carey. Read More

Exquisite chamber percussion.

The percussion quartet, whom Adams considers “the foremost interpreters of my music,” dazzled a surround-sound audience at Kaul Auditorium before repeating the feat at Oregon Bach Festival.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

Sandbox Percussion plays John Luther Adams’ world premiere “Prophesies of Fire” about climate change at Chamber Music Northwest’s festival. See Angela’s review. Read More

Joan Tower world premiere

CMNW co-commissioned the venerated American composer’s “conversation” for violin and percussion quartet.

Originally Published in Oregon ArtsWatch July 2024

The eminent American composer combines violin and percussion in "To Sing or Dance"at Chamber Music Northwest' concert. See Angela’s review. Read More