MUSIC OF THE BIRDS

Amelia Lukas, flutes | Yoko Greeney, piano

Featuring composers of the Pacific Northwest and Japan

& the WORLD PRMIERE of Shima Enaga by Kirsten Volness

“an inspiring concert… all of which Lukas channeled perfectly… [alongside] an impeccable performance by Greeney... Kudos to Amelia Lukas and Yoko Greeney for putting together such an entertaining and educational event.”

- Oregon ArtsWatch

Two of Portland’s finest musicians and concert curators share a gorgeous program of music that explores composers’ endless fascination with birds. Featuring composers of the Pacific Northwest and Japan, this evocative concert conjures the special qualities that connect these culturally rich epicenters of the Pacific Rim. While highlighting the natural world, and commonalities of aesthetics and design, this 90-minute, emotive program reveals and celebrates a rich overlap of influence through the lush sounds of piano, flute, piccolo, and alto flute.

Download one-sheet

PROGRAMS INCLUDE A SELECTION FROM THE FOLLOWING REPERTOIRE:

Deena Grossman, Snowy Egret, January Messenger (bass flute)
Kazuko Sugiyama, Grey Heron (flute & piano) - US Premiere
Kenji Bunch, Vesper Flight (flute & piano)
Lisa Marsh, Albatross (flute)
Takashi Yoshimatsu – Digital Bird Suite (flute & piano)
Aaron Hegelson, An Island We Never Leave (flute)
Toshi Ichiyanagi, Cloud Atlas (piano)
Kirsten Volness, Shima Enaga (“snow fairies”) - World Premiere (piccolo, flute, alto flute, piano, & electronics)

…full program includes optional imagery projection

Featuring the WORLD PREMIERE of

SHIMA ENAGA by Kirsten Volness

For piccolo, flute, alto flute, piano, and electronics

celebrating 65 years of the Sister City relationship between Portland, Oregon and Sapporo, Japan

Shima Enaga - also known as the Hokkaido Snow Fairy - are small, fluffy white birds native to Hokkaido, Japan, close relations of the Pacific Northwest’s Bushtits.

Volness composes transcendent, and immersive music, building sublime atmospheres inspired by nature, myth, spirituality, and environmental and sociopolitical issues... “irresistible” (San Francisco Chronicle), “nothing short of gorgeous” (New York Arts), “an exquisite sound world” (New Classic LA).

This new work is supported with funding from:

Yoko Greeney, pianist

“gorgeous music... Greeney played engrossingly... one of the most significant members in Portland’s classical music scene” - Oregon ArtsWatch

Pianist and chamber music visionary Yoko Greeney contributes excellence and depth through a multifaceted career of directing, performing, teaching, and engagement. Celebrated for her sensitivity, style, and “fantastic attack” (Portland Tribune) Greeney is a passionate collaborator, having enjoyed the role of accompanist in the Aspen Music Festival, Bard Music Festival, California State University Summer Arts, and as a guest artist with the Alexander String Quartet. She performs with the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, BodyVox, Portland Piano International, and 45th Parallel Universe, with additional live radio broadcasts on All Classical Portland. Originally from Osaka, Japan, Greeney received a Master’s Degree from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University.