In this multi-media event, we celebrate mothers through a combination of classical and modern music, poetry, and a fascinating look into all the ways that motherhood changes the brains of both mothers and children throughout their lives. The program will be narrated by author, public speaker, and neuroscientist Dr. Larry Sherman, who will talk about how a mother’s brain changes during pregnancy and after birth, the neuroscience of the bonding that occurs in the brains of mothers and children, what happens when mothers sing to their children, and how a mother’s brain changes with their experiences with their children over the course of their lives. These discussions will be highlighted by music that celebrates motherhood and all of its wonders and challenges. The show will also highlight all of these concepts with readings of the poetry of Ann Taylor, Nikita Gill, Margaret Hasse, and Alice Walker, as well as visual art that celebrates mothers and their children, and illustrations that highlight the amazing changes that happen in mothers’ brains and the brains of their children as they bond and grow together.

EPSG:4326

The Mother and Child Union: A Musical, Poetic, and Neuroscientific Journey

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Under the direction of Maestro Yaacov Bergman, the PCO recalls the music of the Hapsburg Empire when the opera, operetta, waltz, and polka were all the rage in 19th century Vienna.
Puerto Rican soprano, Camille Ortiz, has been captivating audiences with her versatility and enjoys international acclaim. She will be accompanied by the PCO in Vienna’s most beloved operatic and concert arias.

New Year’s in Old Vienna

17-year-old double bassist Maggie Carter is passionate about sharing the power and beauty of music with her audiences and bringing the unexplored sonority of the double bass as a solo instrument into the spotlight.  She first because enamored with the double bass at the age of four, received her first instrument at age nine, and currently studies with Jordan Anderson and Braizahn Jones.  Her competition successes include first prize at the 2019 International Society of Bassists 14-and-under Solo Competition, the 2020 Oregon Mozart Players Young Soloists Competition, and the 2021 Oregon ASTA Solo Competition, as well as runner-up in the 2019 and 2021 PYP Concerto Competition.  Maggie was also honored to be selected as All Classical Portland's 2022 Young Artist in Residence, a pivotal experience which allowed her to reach a wider audience and mature her artistic goals. She was the featured soloist at the Oregon Symphony's 2023 Young People's Concerts and also performed solo with the Portland Youth Philharmonic in spring 2023 as the winner of their 2022 Concerto Competition.  Maggie's other teachers and mentors include Nina DeCesare, Ira Gold, Brian Perry, and Sam Suggs, and she has been privileged to perform for double bassists such as Edgar Meyer, Joe Conyers, Paul Ellison, François Rabbath, and John Clayton, among many others.

Starburst

Reed College

The multi-talented soloist Michelle Bushkova joins the Portland Chamber Orchestra with not one but two concerti performed on two different instruments. This remarkable program will begin with Mozart's instantly recognizable Symphony No. 40, K.550 followed by a world premiere of the Belarussian composer Victor Copytsko's "Michelle" Concerto for Violin Solo, Violoncello Obligato, Clavier obligato (Pianoforte and Cembalo) and Chamber Orchestra, a work composed for our featured soloist. For the second half, Michelle will return to the stage this time as piano soloist  to perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, K488. 

From Darkness to Light

Critically acclaimed pianist Mei-Ting has been heard in many of the world's greatest concert halls performing an extensive repertoire that includes the complete works for solo piano of Brahms, Chopin, and Debussy, in addition to all 32 Sonatas of Beethoven. After winning several major competitions, including the first Piano-e competition and the National Chopin Competition of the U.S., Mei-Ting's career has taken him throughout most of the U.S., Latin America, Asia, and Europe, at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Tonhalle in Zurich, and Obecni Dum in Prague. His career has led him to performances in 21 countries through five continents.

A Feast of Beethoven - Saturday

How your brain responds to Music, Love and Chocolate.

The Neuroscience of Pleasure

An accomplished flutist of international renown, dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in classical music. As a soloist, Adam Eccleston has appeared with several orchestras around the United States and Europe. 

Adam Eccleston is All Classical Portland’s 2020 Professional Artist in Residence.

Portland Chamber Orchestra

May 12, 2024

The Mother and Child Union: A Musical, Poetic, and Neuroscientific Journey

Dec 30, 2023

New Year’s in Old Vienna

Nov 18, 2023

Starburst

May 13, 2023

From Darkness to Light

Mar 23, 2023

A Feast of Beethoven - Saturday

Portland Chamber Orchestra

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