EVOLUTION by Emerald City Music

This epic performance tells the tale of the world’s most loved and versatile instrument. Listeners will follow its physical evolution and the iconic music written at each stage of technological development:  from the  harpsichord  through the forte-piano, contemporary piano, prepared-piano, and modern day instruments like synthesizer. Early composers like Thomas Tallis (1505-1589) and  Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) were defining masters of the instrument, inspiring the likes of Beethoven and Chopin to write more challenging and dynamic music as the technical ability of the piano developed during the Industrial Revolution. Pianos soon became progressively larger, louder, and wider range of octaves (five by the 1790s and seven by 1820). Enter John Cage, who for a time resided in Seattle creating music that again redefined the abilities of the acoustic piano by “preparing it” by placing objects in the instrument to alter the tonal ability. The evolution of modern day technologies again reinvented the keyboard to infinitely  expanding the range of the instrument via the computer-aided synthesizer.

Jordan Machine Poem no. 2 for piano and synthesizer
Scarlatti Piano Sonata in A Major
Ravel Gaspard de la nuit
Beethoven Piano Sonata in E Major, op. 109
Glass Piano Etude no. 2
Cage Selections from Sonatas no.1 and Sonata no. 5
Tallis . Felix Namque II
Chopin Polonaise no. 6, op. 53 “Heroic”

Ticket price includes open bar (age 21+) and general admission seating in our very intimate 415 Westlake venue. Under age 21 tickets available. Order online or by phone (206) 250–5510.