Distinguished pianist delivers world premiere of Jake Safirstein’s ‘Springtime in Portland’ in innovative digital concert format
Distinguished pianist Takeshi Nagayasu delivered the world premiere of ‘Springtime in Portland’ by Juilliard composer Jake Safirstein during his solo recital for Portland Piano International on January 31, 2021. The specially commissioned work highlighted Nagayasu’s commitment to promoting contemporary classical music through collaboration with living composers.
The performance, part of Portland Piano International’s innovative digital concert series during the pandemic, was pre-recorded and livestreamed to audiences as part of The Soundboard subscription series. Executive Director Bill Crane invited Nagayasu to perform following his victory at the Jacob Flier Competition.
Commissioned Work Blends Multiple Musical Styles
Safirstein’s ‘Springtime in Portland’ represents a fusion of various musical styles, including American ragtime elements. The composition exemplifies contemporary composers’ approach of creating works that are both experimental and accessible to diverse audiences.
Nagayasu’s collaboration with Safirstein during the preparation process proved both inspiring and productive. “Collaborating with the composer in preparation for the premiere was both inspiring and productive as always,” Nagayasu noted. The performance received enthusiastic feedback from both festival organizers and viewers, demonstrating the success of this artistic partnership.
Diverse Program Showcases 20th and 21st Century Repertoire
The recital demonstrated Nagayasu’s remarkable versatility through a carefully curated program featuring exclusively 20th and 21st-century works. This programming choice reflected his commitment to exploring modern musical language across different stylistic periods and compositional approaches.
The concert included Benjamin Britten’s ‘Twelve Variations on a Theme for Solo Piano’ (1931), a work often overlooked despite its merits due to its status as an early composition in the composer’s career. Nagayasu also performed Paul Hindemith’s Piano Sonata No. 3 (1936), another underperformed work that music critic James Bash described as “a tour-de-force of melodic inventiveness and contrapuntal wizardry.”
The program concluded with two intense Scriabin sonatas – the Fourth Sonata, Op. 30, and the Fifth Sonata, Op. 53 – showcasing Nagayasu’s mastery of the Russian composer’s demanding and mystical style. These works would later feature in his performances at the prestigious Concours International Long-Thibaud in Paris.
Building Platform for Contemporary Music
Portland Piano International’s decision to commission new works for their digital series reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding the classical music repertoire. By collaborating with established artists like Nagayasu and living composers, the festival creates valuable opportunities for artistic collaboration and audience exposure to new musical voices.
Nagayasu’s interpretation of ‘Springtime in Portland’ exemplifies his broader mission to promote lesser-known contemporary works and expand audiences’ understanding of modern classical music. His ability to navigate both traditional masterworks and cutting-edge contemporary pieces positions him as an important advocate for the evolution of classical music programming.
The successful premiere of ‘Springtime in Portland’ stands as a testament to the power of artistic collaboration and the continuing vitality of classical music in contemporary cultural life, even during unprecedented global circumstances.
Nagayasu plans to continue this collaborative approach with upcoming performances, including ‘The World Through Piano’ at the Leroy Anderson House and Museum in Connecticut on April 28, 2026. The concert will premiere a commissioned work by New York-based composer Carlos Bernales, music director at Divine Mercy Parish (St. Francis DiPaola), while showcasing 20th and 21st-century contemporary music from various continents.
The program will feature works by British composers, reflecting Nagayasu’s doctoral research focus on often-neglected contemporary British piano music. It will also feature pieces by Japanese composers, including renowned 20th-century master Toru Takemitsu, furthering Nagayasu’s commitment to contemporary classical music through diverse global perspectives.