Salem Philharmonia opens 15th season with Brahms, Beethoven

Pianist Monica Ohuchi will perform Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 when the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra opens its 15th season on Oct. 10-11 at the East Salem Community Center.

The season opener pairs the Brahms concerto with Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, conducted by artistic director Jonathan DeBruyn. The Oct. 10 performance begins at 7 p.m., with a pre-concert talk at 6:15 p.m. The Oct. 11 matinee starts at 2 p.m., with a talk at 1:15 p.m.

Ohuchi co-leads Fear No Music, a Portland-based contemporary music organization, with her husband, composer-violist Kenji Bunch. Oregon ArtsWatch described the pair as central figures in Oregon's classical music scene.

The volunteer community orchestra has called the East Salem Community Center home since fall 2021. DeBruyn, who grew up in Lake Oswego, took over as artistic director in 2023.

He also serves as music director of the Sunnyside Symphony and has conducted internationally in Canada, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The full five-concert season stretches into spring 2027. An all-ages family concert on Nov. 21-22 features works by Glinka, Brahms, Debussy, Bernstein and John Williams, among others. Both performances start at 2 p.m.

Violinist Anthea Kreston, first violin of the Delgani String Quartet and All Classical Radio's 2026-27 artist in residence, performs the Sibelius Violin Concerto on Feb. 20-21, 2027. That program also includes Gustav Holst's Japanese Suite and Louise Farrenc's Symphony No. 1.

The season continues with "The Enigma Variations" on April 10-11, 2027, featuring works by Elinor Remick Warren, Dvořák and Elgar. It closes May 29-30, 2027, with soloist Sunmi Chang performing Max Bruch's Scottish Fantasy alongside Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite.

Tickets for youth 17 and under are free.

Individual concert tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors 65 and older. Season tickets, priced at $100 for adults and $80 for students and seniors, are available through Oct. 11 at salemphil.org.

All concerts take place at the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave. NE.

Upcoming Salem Philharmonia concerts: