Renowned Pianist Marc-André Hamelin Returns to Portland Piano International for Two Solo Performances in Portland, October 15 & 17

Marc-André Hamelin

PORTLAND, OR – Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin, known around the world for his unrivaled blend of consummate musicianship and brilliant technique, makes his long-awaited return to Portland for two performances presented by Portland Piano International (PPI) on October 15 and 17, 2023.

In recital on Sunday, October 15, Hamelin presents an adventurous afternoon of works by Charles Ives, Robert Schumann, and Maurice Ravel at Portland State University's Lincoln Performance Hall. And on Tuesday, October 17, he takes part in "Marc-André Annotated" — an exceptional evening of music and storytelling delivered straight from the keyboard. This intimate program, followed by a festive reception, takes place in Flanagan Chapel on the campus of Lewis & Clark College.

Hailed as a "performer of near-superhuman technical prowess" (New York Times) with a "sophisticated palette, deep tenderness, and mischievous sense of humour" (Gramophone), Hamelin's programs consistently marry great works of the established repertoire with explorations of rarely performed compositions from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. In a storied career spanning four decades, he has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras — including the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke's, and the Toronto Symphony — in addition to presenting sold-out recitals across five continents.

Hamelin is an exclusive recording artist for Hyperion Records, with whom he has released more than 70 albums — most recently a two-disc set of works by C. P. E. Bach and a two-disc set of William Bolcom's complete rags. Among the many awards and recognitions he's received for contributions to music are a Lifetime Achievement Award from the German Record Critics' Association, the 2018 Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, and the Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Keyboard Artistry from the Ontario Arts Foundation. Hamelin is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec, and a member of the Royal Society of Canada.

Hamelin's programs for Portland Piano International are as follows.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, AT 4 PM

Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland State University

CHARLES IVES

Sonata No. 2, Concord, Mass., 1840–60  

ROBERT SCHUMANN

Waldszenen (Forest Scenes), op. 82

MAURICE RAVEL

Gaspard de la nuit

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, AT 7:30 PM

Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College

"Marc-André Annotated"

Stories about life as an internationally sought recitalist and collaborator, and performances of works by Ives, R. Schumann, and Ravel, followed by a reception in the pavilion adjacent to Flanagan Chapel.

The 2023 / 2024 Main Recital Series

Curated by the prolific Israeli pianist and recording artist Boris Giltburg, PPI's 2023 / 2024 season of intimate piano recitals brings today's finest pianists to Portland for inspiring performances of treasured works and adventuresome new music.

Upcoming concerts this season include the following:

·         Boris Giltburg (December 3 & 5)

·         Filippo Gorini (January 7 & 9)*

·         Michelle Cann (February 4 & 6)*

·         Eric Lu (May 5 & 7)*

* Denotes PPI debut

On curating PPI's new season, Mr. Giltburg commented: 

"There are cities, venues, and concert series which stay in your heart long after your visit as a performer. Even when exact memories become flashbacks, a sense of great warmth remains, and a smile comes easily at the thought of eventually going back. Such for me is the Portland Piano International series. You can then imagine my excitement when I was approached and asked not just to return to the series, but to serve as your Guest Artistic Curator for the 2023 / 2024 season!

"Two traits unite all the pianists in our series this year: they are all poets of the keyboard in their unique way, and they all possess a wonderfully rich imagination. Brilliant or lyrical, their playing is always luminous and nuanced, clearly concerned with capturing shades of human emotions and sharing them with the audience."

Tickets and more information

Tickets for Mr. Hamelin's Portland recitals are available now at portlandpiano.org, where other details may be found — including the complete Main Recital Series season, programs, and subscription options.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Eifert, 347.741.1913

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PORTLAND PIANO INTERNATIONAL has presented more than 220 artists in recital and through outreach activities. Some of the greatest pianists in the world of music have played for Portland audiences because of this organization. While pianists have many opportunities to play the concerto repertoire, this is one of only a handful of recital series that remains devoted to the solo piano recital. Portland Piano International is a vital part of Portland's quality cultural life and it has consistently garnered praise from both the local and national media, heralded a "consistently brilliant Piano Recital Series" (Willamette Week) and "one of this city's musical treasures" (The Oregonian).