Blog
May the Fourth be With You
If you ask a typical assortment of orchestral musicians which Beethoven or Mahler symphony is their favorite…
A Living Musical Ecosystem
When we say Portland School, we’re not talking about a building with a bell schedule and a cafeteria. We’re talking…
Why I Love Philip Glass’ Music, and So Should You
Let’s get something out of the way right off the bat: yes, Philip Glass writes a lot of…
After the Revolution
This concert could easily be called Perspective… because that’s what I feel every time I spend time with Chen Yi and Zhou Long. I can’t think of any other…
Take Me to the River
On April 30th, 45th Parallel will perform Treasured Resources: Water and Music, featuring the world premiere of Waterways by Columbia Riverkeeper composer…
Poulenc was my OG
For those of you who might not be aware, OG is an acronym for Original Gangster. Originating in the 1970s, OG was used to describe a gang member specifically from…
Groovin’ with Andy
I’ve never been comfortable with the traditional idea of what a violinist is or should be. Maybe it’s that I always felt like I was playing an unwinnable game of…
Dill Eulenspiegel
As 45th Parallel Universe begins their journey collaborating on sports chamber music for the first time, executive director Lisa Lipton interviews The Portland…
The Portland School
What makes a “school” of art? Typically, it refers to artists who developed a similar style through proximity, sharing a similar development path, which may be the best…
Time’s Absence
Art and warfare. The two are seemingly inextricably linked. Sometimes there is an inverse relationship — sublime and transformative works of incredible…
Unwrapping Das Lied
I confess to being an ignorant violinist. I didn’t listen to my mom’s music theory lessons, an ignoble indifference I continued through music school. While I found…
James and the Giant Reed
How to be inspired, shake up routines, and build more joy into your life: a conversation with clarinetist James Shields.