50/50 Concert

Cascadia Composers 11th concert season kicks off with new music celebrating the 50th birthday years of composers Ted Clifford and Paul Safar. Performers include members of the Delgani String Quartet, pianists Asya Gulua and Maria Choban, vocalist Nancy Wood as well as the composers themselves. Art songs, jazz, and poetry inspired pieces and free improvisation with unique instruments should make for a variety-filled evening.

The Eugene performance was last weekend. Oregon Artswatch’s Brett Campbell reviewed the show which will repeat Saturday, Sept. 21 at The Old Church in Portland.

Special performances include the Eugene premiere of Ted Clifford’s Song of Remembrance with poetry by Oregon poet laureate Lawson Inada who will not only be in attendance at the concerts but also lead an interactive improvisation. In addition, the evening will feature the Eugene premiere of Paul Safar’s Incantation, inspired by the poetry of Czeslaw Milosz.

Veteran and rising chamber music artists will grace the stages in both cities: Eric Alterman, Coco Bender, Sean Brennan, David Burham, Maria Choban, Charlie Doggett, Mary Ellen Grace, Asya Gulua, Chris Higgins, Ben Lincoln, Baird Quinn, Kim Uwate, Nancy Wood and the Iridescence flute and piano duo.