German cellist Alban Gerhardt has a packed schedule during his five days as artist in residence with the Oregon Symphony, Oct. 25-29. He’ll give masterclasses for young cellists, play Bach in Pioneer Place Mall, coach rehearsals of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, play for sick kids at Doernbecher’s Hospital and perform with the orchestra in Salem and Portland. All events except the symphony concerts are free. All except the MYS rehearsal are open to the public.
Gerhardt is a favorite in Portland. He made his fourth appearance with the Oregon Symphony last November, playing Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony-Concerto. Like Yo-Yo Ma, he plays the cello with natural expressivenss and passion. He’s also an active and entertaining blogger. An example from his website:
“This might have been the laziest summer I have had in my entire life, and it felt sooo good! Directly after my two-week-stint in Colorady with my son János I did a bit of teaching in the beautiful city of Weimar. My first Meisterkurs ever, five days of giving lessons to the same people, quite a challenge: normally I gave little masterclasses of three hours, where I could spread my “wisdom” to a couple of youngsters and then take off. This time I was forced to see the lovely cellists every day and check if what I had told them made any sense and had any impact. It was rewarding but also frightening as at some point I started doubting everything I wanted to tell them. When I perform I am very sure of what I want to say with the music, but in teaching I don’t want the students to say what I am saying, I want them to develop their own voice, but it is easier said than done…”
Here’s his Portland schedule:
Thursday, Oct. 25, 5- 8 pm, Sherman Clay Pianos: Portland Youth Philharmonic Masterclass
Friday, Oct. 26, 4-5 pm, Pioneer Place Mall, Bach Suites performance
Saturday, Oct. 27, 12:30-1:30 pm, Roseway Heights (NE) Visit/coach during MYS rehearsal (open to MYS families)
7:30 pm, Oct. 27, Schnitzer Hall, Concert with Oregon Symphony
Sunday, Oct. 28, 1:00-3:30 pm, Lincoln Hall PSU, Oregon Cello Society masterclass
8:00 pm, Salem, Smith Auditorium, Oregon Symphony concert
Monday, Oct. 29, 1:00-3:00 pm, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Bach Suites in two 20 min. sessions
Oct. 29, 8 pm, Schnitzer Hall, Oregon Symphony concert
