Celebrate the Beaverton Symphony’s 40th anniversary by welcoming Music Director finalist Pierre Chevalier and violinist Nelly Kovalev for the Spring Concert. The program includes Rossini’s Overture from “The Italian in Algiers,” the Glazunov Violin Concerto, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. The melancholic Glazunov Violin Concerto pairs beautifully with the unrestrained joy of Dvorak’s 8th Symphony. These tremendous pieces capture the transition from the end of winter to the beginning of spring.
Pierre-Alain Chevalier
Conductor and educator Pierre-Alain Chevalier has worn many hats in his career, crossing the entire country while performing with numerous ensembles and teaching students of all ages. With a community-centered approach toward programming and performance, Chevalier made a name for himself as music director of the Baytown Symphony Orchestra, ultimately winning third in the American Prize in Orchestral Conducting in 2019 and Orchestra Performance in 2021. Chevalier is currently the Marketing and Administrative Coordinator for the renowned Oregon Repertory Singers in Portland. Dr. Chevalier holds degrees from the Moores School of Music (DMA), The Hartt School (MM) and Willamette University (BM).
Nelly Kovalev
A magnetic violinist, Nelly Kovalev shines in vibrant performances, full of “thrilling life and deep feeling.” (San Francisco Classical Voice) With her bold approach and signature chic style, Kovalev exudes warmth and vivacity, both onstage and off. Her “precise, yet effortless playing… [is] just plain gorgeous” (Oregon ArtsWatch) and translates equally well in front of the orchestra, on movie soundtracks, and in concert stadiums. Kovalev thrives across genres, and is especially adept in pop and rock environments, contributing high-caliber skills with star power. She has toured Asia and across Europe (including in her home country of Latvia), with performances in Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, Nokia Theater, The Hollywood Bowl, and most recently, playing the national anthem to open a Trailblazers game at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Her session work includes scores for Frozen, Renfield, Outlander, Ben Hur, The Age of Adeline, as well as Halo and Spider-Man video games, and albums for Alesana, Federale, and Pink Martini.
Pre-concert talk at 6:45 pm.