Orchestra Nova Northwest recently marked its new identity with a captivating concert featuring works by African-American composers at Reynolds High School on September 14. Conducted by Music Director Steven Byess, who is in his tenth season with the orchestra, the performance showcased notable pieces by composers George Walker, Florence Price, and Fred Onovwerosuoke, highlighted by impressive contributions from pianist Artina McCain.
Unfortunately, the evening was underscored by a disappointingly small audience due to the rainy weather, overshadowing an otherwise remarkable program.
The orchestra, formerly known as the Portland Columbia Symphony, has changed its name to Orchestra Nova Northwest to better represent its mission of highlighting diverse musical talent in the greater Portland area. Their inaugural concert under this new name fully embraced this mission, starting with Onovwerosuoke’s “Dance Tribute for Orchestra and Piano Obbligato.” Onovwerosuoke, who was born in Ghana to Nigerian parents and is an acclaimed American composer, has traveled extensively across Africa gathering insights into its rich musical heritage.
Typically, orchestra concerts begin with a brief, light piece to prepare listeners, and Onovwerosuoke’s composition fit this role perfectly, resembling a mini-piano concerto. With McCain as the soloist, the piece featured lively, catchy melodies rooted in African musical traditions, complemented by vibrant flourishes from the flute and dynamic percussion that created a celebratory atmosphere.
George Walker’s “Lyric for Strings,” a piece gaining popularity worldwide, was originally written when he was just 24 and studying at the Curtis Institute of Music. It received an emotive performance under Byess’s direction, capturing the blending of sorrow and hope that gives the work its enduring appeal. The lower strings contributed a solemnity that enhanced the music’s reflective nature.
The rediscovery of Florence Price’s compositions in 2009 has sparked renewed interest in her work. Many scores thought to be lost were found in an abandoned house in Illinois and have since been validated by musicians and music scholars, allowing her music to be featured once more.
McCain returned to showcase Price’s “Piano Concerto in D Minor in One Movement,” which consists of three interconnected movements. Her performance injected lively energy into the “Andantino,” highlighted the duet between oboe and piano in the “Adagio cantabile,” and concluded with an exhilarating rendition of the “Allegretto.”
After intermission, the orchestra performed Price’s “Symphony No. 1 in E Minor” with finesse. Byess encouraged strong performances from the woodwinds and a notable viola solo in the first movement, while the second movement featured a dignified interplay between brass and woodwinds. The infectious rhythms of the third movement led into a spirited finale, characterized by an invigorated tempo.
Despite the orchestra’s efforts to engage audiences in the eastern suburbs through performances in Gresham and Troutdale, the sparse attendance raises questions about how to attract larger crowds in the future.