24/7 beethoven rehearsal

Bill Crane, Howie Baggadonutz and Thomas Lauderdale have been organizing an event called 24/7: 24 concerts in 24 hours featuring many of Portland’s best musicians, all commemorating the seventh anniversary of the U.S. war in Iraq.  This marathon concert event will take place in the atrium of the Wieden+Kennedy building, which is between NW 12th and 13th &  NW Everett [map].

Last night was the rehearsal for the grand finale – the final Ode to Joy movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, complete with full symphony orchestra, vocal soloists (including Portland’s internationally renowned baritone Richard Zeller), members of the Portland Symphonic Choir and other local choral singers, all ably conducted by the new music director and conductor of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, David Hattner.

It was a fun rehearsal, with all the buzz of doing something exciting and interesting in a new location, with new people, new faces.  Many people weren’t able to make it for the rehearsal (there were only two violists – myself and Jennifer Arnold from the OSO, and we were still too loud!), but the band pulled together under the steady direction of Hattner and we were in and out in about 90 minutes.

You can find a complete schedule of events here.

The fine restaurant Bluehour will be open for the entire 24 hours to cater to performers and audience members alike.

There really ought to be a prize for the people that stay for the entire event!