Terrence Wilson is “one of the biggest pianistic talents to have emerged in this country in the last 25 years,” according to his hometown paper, The Baltimore Sun. Wilson joins the Portland Symphony Orchestra on June 18 to perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, the most popular piano concerto ever written.
As Pride month activities fill up June calendars, take note that the Portland Symphony Orchestra “Rise Up” concert on June 18, at 7:30, is not to be missed.
Promoted as an “Exploration of Identity and Queer Voices,” the classical performance is presented in partnership with EqualityMaine. It is the beginning of a strategic, long-term partnership between the two organizations that will benefit the greater Portland community.
McKenzie Blanchard, PSO Director of Learning and Community Impact, explained that this partnership is important because queerness has always been a part of human life and classical music. “Queer composers have been in music for all of time, in art, theater, everywhere,” she said.
“Rise Up” will feature works by British composer Ethel Smyth (Overture from The Wreckers), the legendary Russian Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op. 23, featuring pianist Terrence Wilson), and America’s own Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story: Symphonic Dances), all of whom identified as lesbian, gay or queer to varying degrees of openness within the context of their times.
Heide Lester, EqualityMaine’s Development Director, said that the Rise Up concert is a kick-off to other collaborative events between the organizations. “EqualityMaine and the PSO have shared values we are both bringing to the table,” they said. “With ‘Rise Up,’ we’re presenting a slice of the intersectional history of classical composers and LGBTQ+ culture.”
According to Lester, 2020 and 2021 was a period when “rainbow capitalism” became a trend. Rainbow flags were seen on business pages and flying from professional buildings, signaling that they were welcoming to the community. But in 2022, Lester felt that started to change.
“Legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights nearly tripled between 2022 and 2023 nationwide, and Maine was no exception,” they said. “The public perception was that businesses didn’t want to be political, but as a community, our existence and our dignity has been politicized.” Because of heightened violence and threats against their community, Lester noted that there is beauty in being reminded of allies, “who are deeply invested in the LGBTQ+ population and people who ask how they can help amplify our voices. We especially value those who are standing with us right now.”
Blanchard took the value of the partnership from PSO’s perspective a step further, learning from Lester and the work being done at EqualityMaine in real time. “We want EqualityMaine to become part of our symphony community,” Blanchard said. “We want the symphony to be inclusive and accessible for all and to maintain a future where both audience members and musicians are seen and heard in the performance on stage. We are stronger when we come together.”
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
