The nation’s oldest youth orchestra closed out its 101^st season (May 4) at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in grand style with a challenging program that spanned stylistic differences. Under Musical Director David Hattner, the Portland Youth Philharmonic expertly delivered the music of Robert Schumann, Valerie Coleman, Ruth Gipps, and Dmitri Shostakovich, whose Piano Concerto No. 2 featured incisive playing by pianist Hansen Berrett.

Berrett, a 17-year-old senior at West Linn High School, delivered an immaculate performance. Shostakovich wrote the concerto in 1957 for his son Maxim’s 19th birthday – a nifty parallel to Barrett’s age.

Berrett and the orchestra aptly conveyed the bright and optimistic sound of the concerto – which stands in stark contrast to the majority of Shostakovich’s work. Berrett and his colleagues exchanged phrases that sparkled with freshness. He caressed the keyboard, eliciting the gentle tenderness of the second movement. The third movement created a playful atmosphere, especially with the catchy repetitive runs seeming to “laugh” effortlessly.

The audience showered Berrett with enthusiastic applause. It was fun to see him receive two bouquets. 

The orchestral strings played Tracing Visions, a two-movement work that Valerie Coleman wrote in 2022 for the Sphinx Virtuosi. Dedicated to the parents who endured the Uvalde School massacre, the PYP ensemble delivered the emotional depth of the first movement, which began with a soulful solo from the principal cellist. The vigorous and joyful mood of the second movement generated a celebratory feeling and a sense of much-needed hope.

Schumann’s Manfred Overture, which opened the concert, depicted the turbulent emotional and metaphysical state of the hero of Lord Byron’s eponymous poem. The orchestra added verve to a surging line that repeats and conveys Manfred’s mental wrestling with his past and with supernatural forces. The turbulence settled down in the final bars, which reflect Manfred’s death at the end of the poem.

After intermission, the orchestra gave a vivid performance of Symphony No. 2 in B major by British composer Ruth Gipps. Gipps has been overlooked for many years even in her native England, but her works have finally been getting attention. The PYP gave the U.S. premiere of her Third Symphony a couple of years ago, and all five symphonic works are now recorded.

Sponsor

Done in one continuous movement, Gipps’ symphony explored the wide palette of orchestral colors with grand opening statement, lush pastoral passages, march-like sequences, a soothing tranquil scene, and a snappy finale. Urged on by Hattner, the PYPers excelled with shifting melodic lines and the many solos for the principals of the woodwinds, horn, and string sections. 

Since it was the Fourth of May, Hattner and company charmed the audience with an encore, Yoda’s Theme by John Williams. That was a pleasant way to close the concert.

The final concert of the season began with a heartwarming tribute by Principal Violist Luke D’Silva to his classmates, honoring their hard work and dedication. Like D’Silva, quite a few members of the orchestra wore a red flower, which designated that they were graduating. Year after year, all PYP grads go on to pursue more education at universities, conservatories, and other educational institutions – an impressive tradition!

Of course, with so many students leaving, Hattner has his work cut out for him. Every year he has to rebuild the orchestra, and train new members to the highest level possible. Now in his 17^th year, Hattner has a firm reputation for accomplishing this daunting task.