Jon Kimura Parker Plays Brahms with the Oregon Symphony, Brings the House Down

Contributed by Elsie McFarland

Jon (Jackie) Kimura Parker–with talent and passion–wowed the normally subdued Portland audience as he swept through Brahms Piano Concerto No 1 in an absolutely amazing performance at center stage with the Oregon Symphony on Sunday evening, October 4th, at Portland’s elegant Schnitzer Concert Hall. The piece held the hall in rapt attention, and immediately as the last note was sounded, everyone in the full house rose to their feet with a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Jackie returned time and again for bows and smiles for the appreciative crowd.

Sitting in the first Mezzanine, with an eagle’s eye view of the keyboard, I couldn’t help but think of this talent as belonging — at least in part– to Orcas, as we have begun to take for granted that his family will be here summers, bringing us the Chamber Music Festival.

Reading the Symphony program, however, I was reminded that Jackie’s talent belongs to the world, and that besides his teaching at Rice, and other educational obligations, he will also perform with 15 symphonies this year.

Also in the audience was Portlander  Thomas Lauderdale, founder of “Pink Martini”, and a Concert Pianist as well, who had flown in especially for Jackie’s performance, in the midst of a concert tour of his own.

The performance was absolutely stellar–World Class, and a reminder of genius in our midst.

Editor’s Note: Orcas Islanders are reminded to save the date of Nov. 11 to hear Jon Kimura Parker play a solo piano recital in a fundraising concert for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.

Jackie’s program will include a selection of Preludes, Schumann’s Carnival Jest in Vienna, a jazz suite by Chick Corea, and a repeat performance of Stravinsky’s Petrouchka.

The Concert Ticket Donation is $150, and includes a “Conversation Reception” following the performance, which begins at 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. For more information, contact the Festival Office at 376-6636.