Guest Artist Series Opens With Portland Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players
3:00 PM
May 20, 2007
Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center and Museum
Stevenson, WA 98648

The Portland Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players takes the stage May 20th in the first Skamania Performing Arts (SPAF) Guest Artist Series concert of 2007.  Playing the original instruments of the Baroque era, bringing the humor and casual nature of the original chamber music to Stevenson, this is a concert not to be missed. 

The Baroque period fostered the small musical playing group now known as a Chamber Group.  Often gathering after dinner or for an afternoon, these were casual, fun and informal musical gatherings.  The formal, the stiff and the “performance” all came much later as the performances moved into mainstream musical practice.

In the Baroque period chamber music flourished and became what many refer to as “classical” music.  In the transition to wide acceptance, much of the character, the use of improvisation and the use of Baroque instruments dropped by the way as the style became formalized.  The Baroque Players, with harpsichord, violincello and baroque violins. take us back to a time when everyone played an instrument and music together became the after dinner entertainment. When they pull the bow, the Baroque Players pull back into the 1600’s and draw the audience into the vibrant and melodic times of Baroque life.

Appropriately, this concert will be held in the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center and Museum, which houses many collections relating to the history of Skamania County and the native America culture before the Anglo influx.  A close and intimate setting, infused with the history of the area will only enhance the lively improvisation and repartee of the Portland Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players.

The Portland Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players:

Adam LaMotte, baroque violin
Greg Ewer, baroque violin
Lori Presthus, baroque cello
Susan Jensen, harpsichord

Coming Guest Artist Series Performances

June 17: Portland Taiko, Skamania Lodge Amphitheater
July 15: Show Brazil!, Skamania Lodge Amphitheater
Aug. 26: Trio Voronezh, Skamania Lodge Amphitheater
Sept. 23: Icicle Creek Piano Trio, Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center