Spotlight Series
Montgomery - Rhapsody No. 1
Tune in for musical insights, conversations with artists, reaction videos, and other intriguing perspectives on great chamber music with PCMF's new Spotlight Series!
Spotlight Series Ep. 4 | In August of 2020, violinist Susie Park recorded Jessie Montgomery's beautiful Rhapsody No. 1 for the Portland Chamber Music Festival. The performance aired online as part of "Heart & Soul," the second program of PCMF's 27th summer season. In addition to the performance video, this episode of our Spotlight Series features an exclusive conversation between Jessie and Susie (hosted by PCMF Artistic Director Melissa Reardon), plus behind-the-scenes footage of Susie's home recording setup.
Montgomery Rhapsody No. 1
Behind-the-Scenes with Susie
Conversation with Jessie & Susie
Meet the Artists
Jessie Montgomery
composer
Jessie Montgomery is an acclaimed composer, violinist, and educator. She is the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award from the ASCAP Foundation, and her works are performed frequently around the world by leading musicians and ensembles. Her music interweaves classical music with elements of vernacular music, improvisation, language, and social justice, placing her squarely as one of the most relevant interpreters of 21st-century American sound and experience. Her profoundly felt works have been described as “turbulent, wildly colorful and exploding with life” (The Washington Post).
Susie Park
violin
Australia native Susie Park first picked up a violin at age three, made her solo debut at five, and, by the time she was a teenager, had performed with every major orchestra in her country. Her international career was launched at age 16, when she took first place in the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition. Susie today performs internationally as an orchestral, chamber, and solo artist. She is first associate concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra, a founding member of the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, and joined the Enso String Quartet as first violinist for their final season.