Ted Trebilcock

Review of Portland Symphony and PortTix

Saw their "Oscars Biggest Hits" concert, specifica...

Saw their "Oscars Biggest Hits" concert, specifically to hear ET and Star Wars. I also saw the Bangor Symphony late last year, that concert was a Star Wars tribute, all star wars for two hours. The Portland players were sloppy, and in one section of star wars movements almost fell apart. ET was also very sloppy. Nor were the french horns and bones entrances strong and bold like the soundtrack, they were weak. Overall, Portland's brass were very weak and uninteresting, nor were they on the beat, sloppy rhythmic accuracy. When I saw Bangor Symphony, they played the Flag Parade from the first star wars, and it was very tight, accurate, and VERY loud as needed, like the soundtrack played by the London Symphony. Bangor Symphony also had invited local honors chorus folks to fill out the star wars choral aspect. Bangor was a 5 star performance. I hope the Portland Symphony does a better job in the future, they were both weak and sloppy.