Oregon Music News

Lori Presthus at work in her studio

You can hear what she plays. You can see what she paints. You can wear her artwork. Lori Presthus is a multi-talented woman, who has a professional artistic side that is quite diverse. On the music side of the equation, she is a member of the Portland Baroque Orchestra, does a lot of freelance work, and has recorded all of Bach’s “Suites for Unaccompanied Cello.” On the visual side, her paintings and jewelry are shown in many galleries.  It all goes hand in hand with her ebullient personality and her ability to see a lot of connections between life and art.

I recently visited Presthus at her home to find out how more about her artistic endeavors.

Has making music and making visual art always been a part of your life?

Presthus: Oh yes! I grew up in the LA area. I chose the cello and began lessons at age five, starting on a viola with an end pin and studied privately through high school. I attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo where I received a degree in early childhood development. I didn’t pursue a music degree in college although I was quite active in community orchestras. One of my first jobs involved teaching two days a week, always keeping art and music present in my life. One vivid memory from my childhood is when I drew all over my Bach Cello Suites sheet music. My cello teacher at the time didn’t care that I was drawing in red ink, but when I learned I would be changing teachers I frantically tried to erase all the red ink which actually left the poor music looking worse with holes here and there.

How did you choose the cello?

Presthus: I chose the cello as a young child. I think I was drawn to the dark, rich tones. I know this was the right choice for me. Music from the cello goes deep into ones soul and expresses so many profound human emotions. I have also thought that the range of the cello is the closest to the human voice. The cello is a such good instrument for those who love minor keys.

In both music and art I have done much self study. I love to experiment with art materials and techniques. The same applies to my music. I have spent countless hours practicing my cello exploring colors and perfecting my intonation.

So painting and playing music are complimentary?

Presthus: Definitely! I’ve found that bowing and painting are so similar. With bowing you produce colors of sound by varying the speed and pressure of the bow stroke. With painting, it’s essentially the same thing only with pigment and a brush. I have sensed a similar feeling when sound leaves my bow or pigment leaves my brush, A difficult concept to put into words. And there’s a rhythm in painting as in music too. I feel very fortunate to have reached this level of awareness in my work.

How did you get involved in performing Baroque music?

Presthus: That came about after I moved from California to Grants Pass. I lived there for about seven years before my husband and I moved up to Portland.

Jim Rich, a baroque recorder player in Southern Oregon, got me started. He said that I should try tuning my cello down to 415. I will never forget the first time I attempted this. I was utterly in despair and almost in tears because it was so disorienting for me. I believe it is because I have perfect pitch. I would be looking at the music and playing an A but my brain and ears would tell me it was a G#. It took me a very long time to adjust, gaining success slowly in keys with fewer flats and sharps. Sometimes even years later I would still get a glimmer of that ‘old feeling’ if playing in certain keys.

In Baroque music, the bass line looks simple, but it isn’t. Every note has its own personality. The bow has an arc in it which causes the tone that you get when you play to have a slight swell in it. It is an expressive effect. It’s a subtle thing but is the reason baroque music can be so intriguing.

As a member of the Portland Baroque Orchestra, we are trying to create performances in an authentic way, but there is room for bringing your own ideas to the music and I think that we strive to do this. As in all music it is very helpful to play in a very relaxed manner. I find playing Baroque music makes me more aware of this. I think that in life itself we often try too hard.

Do you have a favorite composer?

Presthus: Bach is one of my favorite composers. He seemed to have a sense about the patterns of nature. His music has such wonderful expressions of great joy, and profound sorrow. The cello suites have meant so much to me that I decided to record them. Although this was a few years ago when I listen to them today I am pleased with my work and believe Bach would have been too. To play Bach’s music for someone is like giving them a gift, it’s such a tremendous thing.

How did you get your visual art in front of the public?

Presthus: Sue Jensen has been very supportive and helpful in helping me to grow as an artist. I painted on myrtle wood for a long time. She suggested that I move from wood to paper. She’s an excellent graphic artist in addition to being a wonderful harpsichordist. I started painting more and more and decided to try doing a food and gift show. It wasn’t the ideal venue for me but got me started with my art career. About four years ago I started working on jewelry featuring my originals, and the jewelry is in more than 60 galleries now. I am happy to say that some of the galleries have started representing my giclees and originals as well. It has been a long journey with many twists and turns but a very rewarding one.

I didn’t see you at some of the Portland Baroque concerts over the past season.

Presthus: My health got out of balance for a little while and I had to take a few months off from Portland Baroque. It may have been that I was trying to do too many things. In any case, it may have been a good thing. I appreciate things a lot more. I think that my artwork is stronger now, and sometimes the most beautiful music comes out of a time of suffering.

Do you still have time to play the cello?

Presthus: The cello will always be a big part of my life. I recently met the founding members of the Al-Andalus Ensemble here in Portland. That was a lot of fun! We improvised together and plan to collaborate on future music endeavors.