Oregon Symphony

This is a great symphony that performs and a very good venue, yet remains affordable. The selection of music is all over the place, guests to. Check out the current season and pick something that looks good, You will not be disappointed.
If your schedule allows for it check out the season packages. There are some great deals.
I don’t come near as often as I used to, My work schedule makes that hard, I do go when I can. Going just feels a world away. This is Portland so there are enough people not dressed up that you wont feel out of place. That said this is one of the few places in Portland where enough people do dress up that you will fit right in if you do.
I always enjoy myself. The energy is palpable. Then you hear the musicians warm up… I love that sound. Then the concert. Its just a place to go with the music,
If you like anything classical check the calendar and buy a ticket. They deserve your support, and you will enjoy it!

A good orchestra. Good, not great. But they can sound like a great one and often do. I used to work for them in ticketing and subscriptions. I’d say their biggest problem — at least for the last 15 years — has been budget. They often can’t get more than one or two big-​name soloists every year because they don’t have a large operating budget and often resort to using orchestra musicians and local/​regional artists for concerto performances. I used to make cold calls to people who had attended their concerts before, to sell them subscription packages and many of them said, «The concerts are great but you guys have the same people coming back every year or two.» Another complaint was that the concerts «all kinda run together», meaning that from season to season, it all sounded basically the same and that variety was lacking.
They haven’t been able to attract many great players. Many principal players have left after a year or two or three when they got better jobs elsewhere, in cities that were more appealing to them than Portland. The orchestra has improved musically since Kalmar took the wand. DePreist was great but many felt that the orchestra plateaued at some point during his tenure and I think that’s accurate. As I moved to California not long after Kalmar took over, I haven’t heard many of his concerts. I continue to hear good things, and that he’s «done a lot» for the orchestra from a musical and outreach standpoint. He’s also not as occupied as DePreist was, with constant globetrotting to conduct other ensembles (I don’t think.) I heard his first few performances during 2001 – 2002 and they were amazingly good and he became the obvious choice to succeed DePreist.
The Oregon Symphony is a somewhat major orchestra today thanks to DePreist. Unfortunately, they’ve had their share of ups and downs both from a musical and corporate standpoint. I’m suspecting that their higher-​ups — and not the musicians — are the ones getting the large salaries and yet don’t do a whole heckuva lot. Classical music doesn’t really «sell» anymore. Times have changed. Ditto for the Pops concerts. I don’t know if concerts like that are as popular as they used to be, even 20 years ago. Thankfully, there are good orchestras still around and The Oregon Symphony is one of them. I will always cherish the concerts I attended regularly and semi-​regularly from about 1988 until 2003 when I left Portland. Dozens of wonderful concerts that were also instrumental to my development as a musician.

After living in Los Angeles and San Francisco, it’s such a treat to be able to experience great symphony music in a smaller city. Each season we’ve been able to find at least one performance we’ve wanted to go attend and are never disappointed. Carlos Kalmar is such a fantastic conductor, and brings such passion and vibrance to each performance. I highly recommend the pre-​concert talks, as they’ve always been interesting and informative. If you’re new to the symphony, this is a great place to start, as most of their music selections are quite approachable.

I’m no music genius but the diversity and quality of music I’ve enjoyed in the three or four performances I’ve attended has been fantastic. Simply enthralling.

My husband and I have had season tickets for many years, and we have enjoyed every single season. The symphony plays famous standards, but also plays newer and more experimental pieces. We have enjoyed going to some of the special concerts featuring modern younger talents such as Storm Large and Pink Martini, and also adding tickets to the holiday concerts.

Still can’t believe that a smallish city like Portland has such a fantastic orchestra! I think Carlos the Conductor has made such a difference… hope he stays for a long time.

I went to a concert last night, and all I can say is WOW! There was a young guest conductor, Aziz Shokhakimov, and we was wonderful. His youth and enthusiasm were a joy to watch, and the symphony responded to him with great joy. The music was very lively, and we were overall totally delighted with the whole performance.

Honestly-​only 2 reviews for our world class Oregon Symphony? The symphony that has discovered how to get to Carnegie Hall? The way to do that isn’t just practice, practice, practice but fundraiser fundraiser fundraiser and I had the good luck to volunteer for one of these fundraisers and thus score a free ticket to see the symphony. The OSO is headed to New York in 2011. Applause for much deserved recognition.
I have to admit to having been a season ticket holder in the past and still attend several concerts a season.
And I’m madly in love with Jun Iawasaki, Concert Master for the symphony and occasional fiddle player for Pink Martini. Iawasaki rocks-​the entire symphony, under the direction of Sir Carlos rocks and the new programs that have been presented the past few years has shown me that the OSO is interested in keeping it’s long standing patrons as well as drawing from a younger crowd.
There are always several Pops concerts during the season that appeal broadly along with Kids Classics too.
Portland has an outstanding symphony orchestra. I encourage people who have never attended a classic symphony concert to do that tedious ‘outside the box’ thing and give it a try.
The experience will enrich your life-​as it has mine for decades.

bravo, oregon symphony! i’ve been eagerly anticipating the outdoor concert at the waterfront and you delivered. beautifully played music, shimmering waters as a backdrop to be replaced by a full moon in the evening, and balmy weather all made for a serene evening.
and the theatrics during the 1812 overture finale with the appearance of the flag glowing in the night, and the kaboom! of cannons, just rocked my socks off.
thank you for the free concert and wonderful evening. encore!