Oregon Symphony will give the west coast premiere of the recent Pulitzer-winner's environmentally-themed "concerto for orchestra" on October 8, 10, and 11.

Dear readers,  I have finally arrived back in the Mercury office after a cool 19 days on the road. As glamorous as DIY tour life can be (sleeping on floors, squeezing into a car like a sardine, etc.) ...

Disaster is not a word that I use lightly, but in this case it is the only word that can be used. There are others that come to mind also. Hubris, malfeasance, poor planning, shirking of fiduciary duty. The NSO was the beneficiary of a longtime 'angel' donor ( Martha Ingram) who basically kept the orchestra afloat until her passing. Angel donors are amazing - until for whatever reason their pocketbook dries up. But how can an organization just operate business as usual with this sort of sword of Damocles hanging overhead?

We did our Opening Night concert a couple nights ago (I'm always puzzled as it isn't the first concert of the season, nor is it the first of our classical subscription series, but I digress). Also, since it's been a while since I've posted, in the spirit of full disclosure, can I just say right now that I've always been a fan of and frequent user of em dashes? But sadly, the rise of the AI use of em dashes has made me leary of using them. God help me if AI agents become advocates of the Oxford comma...

The South African cellist continues his run with Montgomery's new work based on her mother Robbie McCauley's poetry.

San Francisco Opera Musicians who are members of AFM 6 on the third day of their strike picketed at the Opera house and performed music.

Join the Oregon Symphony Team as our Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts! As our Director of Development, Planned and Major Gifts, you will help shape the future of the Oregon Symphony by building meaningful relationships with donors whose generosity sustains our mission for generations to come. Through strategic major gift fundraising, planned giving, and thoughtful donor stewardship, you'll play a key role in advancing philanthropic support and strengthening the Symphony's long...

by Caroline Surrett | on finding her breath

A Pulitzer-winning composition and a modern border-crossing opera are highlights of this season's classical music calendar.

In last Tuesday’s (9/1) Willamette Week (Oregon), Matthew Trueherz writes, “Even if you don’t know the name Erik Satie or how to pronounce Gymnopédie, you know the tune … Or maybe it’s Beethoven or Brahms. You know this song—even if it should technically be called a ‘piece’ or ‘composition’ … The Oregon Symphony, and many other... Read more »

The Portland singer-songwriter performs Sept. 19 & 20 with the Oregon Symphony.

The 66-year-old is documenting his process as @PDXUsher on Instagram.

Matthew Trueherz

New partnership for the Symphony’s 2026-2027 season covers transit fares for up to three hours before and after each show, […]

by Caroline Surrett | a daredevil horn player...it's in her blood

by Caroline Surrett | a tale of two South Carolinians

no seriously...

The Oregon Symphony performed Jaws live with the movie, and one bassist understood the assignment so completely that he played the entire thing dressed as a shark. A concertgoer praised…