Eugene Symphony Presents Encore of PREFONTAINE for First-Ever Commercial Release
Posted on October 09, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julie Winsel, Marketing & Communications Director
julie.winsel@eugenesymphony.org | 541-687-9487 ext. 1106
Eugene Symphony Presents Encore of PREFONTAINE for First-Ever Commercial Release
Eugene Symphony celebrates their first-ever commercial recording with Andrea Reinkemeyer’s Water Sings Fire alongside two Baroque concertos.
EUGENE, OR (October 9, 2023) — The audience at the June 2022 world premiere of Oregon composer David Schiff’s PREFONTAINE was thrilled and moved to tears. On Thursday, October 19, 2023, Eugene Symphony is proud to present an encore performance of this amazing work celebrating the life and legacy of legendary runner Steve Prefontaine. The performance of PREFONTAINE, as well as of Oregon composer and University of Oregon alumna Andrea Reinkemeyer’s Water Sings Fire at the top of the program, will be recorded as part of Eugene Symphony’s first-ever commercial release.
Water Sings Fire, which is inspired by the short story When Water Sang Fire by fantasy and feminist author Leigh Bardugo, was previously performed by Eugene Symphony in October 2021 and was met with similar acclaim. Described as a “marvelously dark and affecting work,” by San Francisco Chronicle, the 12-minute piece tells a darker story of The Little Mermaid, with themes of nation-challenging societal changes that give voice to the wrong and disenfranchised.
PREFONTAINE is a story told in four nontraditional parts. The symphony starts in Coos Bay, where Steve Prefontaine grew up, describing the landscapes that marked his path. The next movement follows the ignition of Prefontaine’s calling as a runner, invoking marching bands and cheering fans. In a collaboration with Oregon Contemporary Theatre, the third movement calls six actors to the stage to read quotes and tributes submitted to Eugene Symphony in memory of this local legend. The fourth movement takes the listener alongside Pre as he runs a 5k race, with 12 sections each mapped to Pre’s best lap times. The piece will include projected still imagery above the orchestra on stage.
In between these two pieces, Music Director and Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong will take the stage from a harpsichord to play alongside two of his favorite musicians with whom to collaborate for two Baroque chamber concertos. First, harpist Chloe Tula, who is also married to Francesco, will perform George Frideric Handel’s blissful Harp Concerto as one of the first times they’ve performed on stage together. Then, Concert master Searmi Park will take center stage as she performs Antonio Vivaldi’s bustling Violin Concerto in E minor.
The week leading up to PREFONTAINE features several events related to the concert, such as Symphony Happy Hour at the 5th Street Market Eateries on Monday, October 16, at 5:00 pm. Lecce-Chong hosts Happy Hour, which also feature harpist Chloe Tula and musical trivia. Arrive early on concert night to enjoy the Guild Legacy Pre-Concert Talk, at 6:30 pm in the Studio at the Hult Center.
Join Eugene Symphony for this exciting evening celebrating local history and making some of their own.
PREFONTAINE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023
7:30 pm
Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Prices: prices range from $10-$68
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Chloe Tula, harp
Searmi Park, violin
Linda Prefontaine, Creative Consultant
Actors of the Oregon Contemporary Theatre
Craig Willis, Stage Direction
Curtis Anderson, Research Consultant
Scott Freck, Producer
Andrea Reinkemeyer | Water Sings Fire
Handel | Harp Concerto
Vivaldi | Violin Concerto in E minor
David Schiff | PREFONTAINE
Concert Week Events:
Symphony Happy Hour
5th Street Market Eateries
Monday, October 16, 5:00 pm
Hosted by Francesco Lecce-Chong with guest Chloe Tula
A casual and free event that includes musical excerpts and a trivia competition.
Guild Legacy Pre-Concert Talk
The Studio at the Hult Center
Thursday, October 19, 6:30 pm
Francesco Lecce-Chong discusses highlights of the concert and talk to concert guests artists.
Interview & Media Opportunities: High-resolution photos are available upon request. For interviews, contact Marketing & Communications Director Julie Winsel at julie.winsel@eugenesymphony.org or by phone at 541-687-9487 ext. 1106. If you would like to cover this event, tickets can be arranged.
Tickets: Full-season subscriptions, as well as single tickets, are available now. All ticket options available at eugenesymphony.org or the Hult Center Ticket Office 541-682-5000.
About Chloe Tula
American harpist Chloe Tula has been widely recognized as a rising talent in the classical music world. She was recently named Principal Harpist of the Omaha Symphony, and begins performing in that role in the 2022-23 season. Since making her solo debut with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the age of sixteen, Ms. Tula has established herself as a prizewinning harpist. A Wisconsin native, Ms. Tula received her Bachelor’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she studied with Paula Page, former Principal Harpist of the Houston Symphony. Prior to that, she studied with Danis Kelly, former Principal Harpist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera. Ms. Tula plays on a Lyon & Healy Salzedo model from 2015 and a Style 100 model from 2018. When not playing the harp, she enjoys adding to her shoe collection, tending to her culinary garden, hosting dinner parties, and spending time with her husband, Francesco, and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Hibiki.
About Searmi Park
A Wisconsin native, Ms. Tula received her Bachelor’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she studied with Paula Page, former Principal Harpist of the Houston Symphony. Prior to that, she studied with Danis Kelly, former Principal Harpist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera. Ms. Tula plays on a Lyon & Healy Salzedo model from 2015 and a Style 100 model from 2018. When not playing the harp, she enjoys adding to her shoe collection, tending to her culinary garden, hosting dinner parties, and spending time with her husband, Francesco, and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Hibiki.
About Francesco Lecce-Chong
Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong is the Music Director of the Eugene Symphony in Oregon, and the Santa Rosa Symphony, performing at the Green Music Center in Northern California. The press has described him as a “fast rising talent in the music world” with “the real gift” and recognized his dynamic performances, fresh programming, deep commitment to commissioning and performing new music as well as to community outreach. Lecce-Chong has appeared with orchestras around the world including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, National Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, and Hong Kong Philharmonic and collaborated with top soloists including Renée Fleming and Itzhak Perlman.
About Eugene Symphony
Now in its 59th season, the Eugene Symphony is a nonprofit and 83-member part-time orchestra based in Eugene, Oregon, led by Music Director & Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong with a mission of enriching lives through the power of music. Eugene Symphony returned to the concert hall in September 2021, after a year away during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is excited to continue to connect with patrons, local organizations, and community members through concerts, outreach, and educational programming in the 2023/24 Season.
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