August 11, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland Ore. … Music Director and Conductor James DePreist and the Oregon Symphony will perform a free Memorial Concert to mark the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The concert is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; outdoor speakers will broadcast the concert into the South Park Blocks.
"There are times when words do not suffice as an expression of human sentiment," said DePreist. "It is our hope that this music will begin to express our deep regard for the all of the heroes of 9/11 --- those who were lost in the terrorist attacks, those who gave their lives trying to save them and those who continue to fight for freedom and peace around the world."
The program will open with Francis Scott Key's "The Star Spangled Banner" and close with "America the Beautiful." It also will include Bach's "Air" from his Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major; a movement from Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony; Aaron Jay Kernis' Air for Violin and Orchestra featuring violinist Ron Blessinger; selections from Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 in D Major, "Reformation;" and "When Jesus Wept" and "Chester" from W. Schuman's New England Triptych.
The members of the orchestra have waived a day off to make this concert possible. In addition, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts has donated rental of the concert hall.
Tickets are free and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Box Office of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at 1037 S.W. Broadway.