Portland Youth Philharmonic is opening its 103rd season with something it has never done before: putting a guitar soloist front and center with the full orchestra. On Saturday, classically trained guitarist Gwenyth Aggeler joins Musical Director David Hattner and PYP musicians for the season-opening concert, titled “Autumn Magnolias,” at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
According to Portland Youth Philharmonic, “For the first time in Portland Youth Philharmonic’s history, a guitar soloist will take center stage with the orchestra.” The organization says Aggeler will join Hattner and the ensemble on November 14, and she is making her PYP debut as guest soloist for the performance.
Aggeler is set to perform Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, a piece PYP describes as part of a Season 103 opener filled with color, rhythm, and storytelling. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., per the orchestra’s blog post announcing the program. Aggeler has performed on stages around the world, and her honors include first prizes in the Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition and the Chicago Guitar Competition, according to the same PYP page.
What Else Is on the Program
Beyond the Rodrigo concerto, Autumn Magnolias is scheduled to include works by Joaquín Turina and Carlos Chávez. The program also features Ostinato, a piece written by PYP’s own student composer and oboist, Alejandro Belgique — a detail the orchestra highlighted in its announcement of the concert.
Ahead of the performance, Aggeler joined Hattner on KOIN’s AM Extra to discuss what audiences can expect, according to KOIN.com. Hattner serves as Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Musical Director, and the station’s report notes Aggeler’s reputation as a classically trained performer with international experience.
Season Pass Option for Returning Fans
For those looking ahead past Saturday’s concert, Portland Youth Philharmonic is also offering a Season Pass that provides 30% savings across all four Season 103 concerts, according to the orchestra’s listing of its full concert schedule. The pass gives patrons a way to lock in the rest of the season at once rather than buying tickets concert by concert.
