Orchestra Nova Northwest Presents INNER LANDSCAPES: Depths of Expression
Portland, OR — October 8, 2025 — Orchestra Nova Northwest continues its Throughlines exploration, connecting past and present, in INNER LANDSCAPES: Depths of Expression, a concert blending contemporary premieres with historical gems. The program features the Western U.S. premiere of Rainn by rising composer Karena Ingram, alongside Lūcija Garūta’s Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor, performed by celebrated Portland pianist Maria Garcia, and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major, together offering audiences an inspiring journey through imagination, legacy, and profound expression
“INNER LANDSCAPES continues our exploration of the threads that connect us,” said Steven Byess, Musical Director for ONN. “From underappreciated works to contemporary premieres, each piece tells a story—sometimes tender, sometimes challenging—but always rooted in human experience. We are honored to present these pieces together in a program that celebrates the power of music to connect and inspire our community.”
The Western U.S. premiere of Rainn by Karena Ingram, presented through the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, reflects the human capacity to rebuild. Inspired in part by the statistic that every 68 seconds someone experiences a sexual assault, the music guides the audience through moments of breaking down and renewal, illustrating grief, endurance, and transformation. Ingram writes: “Approximately every 68 seconds, the audience will feel a break…honoring those whose stories often go untold.”
Celebrated Portland pianist Maria Garcia performs Lūcija Garūta’s Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor, a rare treasure of 20th-century repertoire whose soaring melodies and dramatic contrasts convey profound emotion, reflecting the pioneering spirit of this Latvian female composer while connecting with contemporary audiences.
The concert concludes with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major, a luminous and heartfelt work that evokes the rhythms of nature, folk traditions, and human resilience. Its sweeping melodies and rich emotional tapestry provide a compelling complement to the intensity of Garūta’s concerto and the profound journey of Ingram’s Rainn, weaving musical traditions across eras into a cohesive and expressive musical experience.
Accessibility and New Venue for ONN
For the first time, ONN performs at Roosevelt High School in North Portland, a new location made possible through ONN’s recent merger with Cognizart. The venue offers Portland audiences a state-of-the-art concert experience while strengthening ONN’s arts education partnerships and giving students hands-on opportunities to engage with professional musicians. The program continues with a Sunday matinee at The Reser in Beaverton.
“We’re thrilled to bring Orchestra Nova Northwest to Roosevelt High School for the first time this season,” said Shannon Emory, CEO of ONN and Executive Director of Cognizart. “This new Eastside venue gives Portland audiences closer access to our concerts while also strengthening our commitment to arts education across disciplines. Students can now engage directly with professional artists at ONN, inspiring the next generation of creators and audience members alike. With $5 student tickets, Portland can now enjoy a world-class orchestra in their own community.”
Tickets and Dates
INNER LANDSCAPES will be presented at Roosevelt High School, North Portland, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at The Reser, Beaverton, OR.
11/15 Tickets
11/16 Tickets
Program:
● Karena Ingram – Rainn (Western U.S. Premiere)
● Lūcija Garūta – Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor
● Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G Major
About Orchestra Nova Northwest
Founded in 1982, Orchestra Nova Northwest (ONN) is a professional orchestra based in Portland, Oregon, known for innovative programming and a commitment to artistic excellence. ONN presents performances that connect contemporary and classical repertoire, collaborating with internationally renowned soloists and emerging artists alike. In 2025, ONN merged with Cognizart, expanding its arts education initiatives across disciplines and strengthening partnerships with local schools. The orchestra maintains a strong commitment to music education, bringing professional musicians into classrooms and workshops across the region.
Click to read more about the recent merger
About Maria Garcia
Portland-based pianist Maria Garcia is celebrated for her virtuosic technique, expressive depth, and dedication to championing both classical and contemporary repertoire.
About Karena Ingram Composer Karena Ingram is an emerging female voice in contemporary music, known for works that explore emotion, resilience, and innovative soundscapes. Her piece Rainn—named for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network—honors survivors of sexual violence, translating experiences of grief, endurance, and rebuilding into evocative musical expression.
About Lūcija Garūta
Latvian composer Lūcija Garūta (1902–1977) was a pioneering woman in orchestral composition, whose works blend national folk traditions with expressive, modernist sensibilities. Garūta’s Piano Concerto in F-sharp Minor is often considered underappreciated in the classical music world. Despite its rich emotional depth and technical prowess, it remains relatively obscure in mainstream concert programming.
About Antonín Dvořák
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) was a leading figure in 19th-century music, celebrated for blending folk-inspired melodies with symphonic tradition. His Symphony No. 8 in G Major is renowned for its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and joyful celebration of nature, offering audiences a timeless and emotionally resonant musical experience.
About the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, in partnership with the League of American Orchestras and American Composers Orchestra, supports the creation and performance of new works by women composers and underrepresented voices, helping orchestras bring fresh, diverse repertoire to audiences while fostering equity and inclusion in the field.