Come enjoy classical music with friends and family in the beauty of dusk at Portland Japanese Garden.
Portland Japanese Garden has partnered with SoundsTruck NW to bring a first-of-its-kind musical concert to the Garden! SoundsTruck NW is the region’s premier mobile music venue that brings live ensemble music and family-oriented programming into neighborhoods, nature, and institutions.
Taking place at a time when the verdant landscape of Portland Japanese Garden basks in the golden hue of approaching sunset, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy an alluring combination of flutes, piano, and percussion in a unique arrangement from GRAMMY-nominated composer Andy Akiho.
The Japanese-French Connection builds off the inspiration musicians from both nations have provided each other. The International Exposition held in Paris in 1867 featured a major Japanese traditional art movement that captivated French culture makers and launched an interchange of creativity and outlook that ultimately blossomed into one of modern history’s strongest cross-cultural bridges. French composers developed a passion for Japanese aesthetics and design, and Japanese composers likewise became very interested in French tonality and musical approaches.
Program
- Michio Miyagi (1894-1956), Haru No Umi – flute and piano, 7 minutes
- Tōru Takemitsu (1930-1996), Towards the Sea – alto flute and marimba, 11 minutes
- Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979), Vers la vie nouvelle – piano solo, 4 mins
- Oliver Messiaen (1908-1992), Le Merle Noir – flute and piano, 6 minutes
- Andy Akiho (b. 1979), Murasaki – steel pan, 6 minutes
- Intermission
- Makoto Shinohara (b. 1931), Kassouga – flute and marimba, 8 minutes
- Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Syrinx – bass flute, 3 minutes
- Hitomi Kaneko (b. 1965), Un jour avec pour piano, 6 minutes
- Andy Akiho (b. 1979), Karakurenai – flute, piano, marimba and steel pan, 4 minutes
About the Artists
Amelia Lukas
Powell Flutes Artist Amelia Lukas performs with “a fine balance of virtuosity and poetry” (The New York Times). She weaves together globally informed stylistic elements with an impressive range of extended techniques, and “excels at bringing drama and fire.” (Oregon ArtsWatch)
Yoko Grenney
Collaborative pianist and chamber music visionary Yoko Greeney, has been hailed as “one of the most significant members in Portland’s classical music scene,” (Oregon ArtsWatch) contributing through a multifaceted career of directing, performing, and teaching.
Stephen Kehner
An explorative and expressive chamber musician, Stephen Kehner, has played contemporary and cross-genre music with the Silk Road Ensemble, Callithumpian Consort, Nu Deco Ensemble, and Sö Percussion, and is Assistant Principal Percussion with the Oregon Symphony.
Andy Akiho
Andy Akiho has been celebrated as a “trailblazing” (Los Angeles Times) Pulitzer Prize finalist whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while surpassing preconceived boundaries of classical music.
This performance is presented in partnership with the SoundsTruck NW. Food is provided by Bamboo Sushi (vegetarian option available) and St. Honore Bakery, with wine by Torii Mor and beer by Sapporo. Tables and seating are provided by Snow Peak.
