Piano Starts Here: Interpretations of Bartók
Part of the Piano Starts Here series

Tickets: $10 advance/ $12 at the door/ $5 students w/ ID

Béla Bartók, born March 25, 1881, was arguably the most influential Hungarian composer ever lived as well as a powerful force in inspiring the musical expansions of the early 20th century. His compositions are imaginative but nonetheless meticulous in their construction; his harmonic, melodic, rhythmic and timbral language is quite unlike any other composers before him. Along with composing, teaching and performing as a virtuoso pianist Bartók also worked heavily as an ethnomusicologist and married Eastern folk melodies with Western classical music, something he is well remembered for.  

Jazz musicians have always managed to quickly grab hold of devices the contemporary classical composers were using, and have been inspired by many of the great early 20th century composers who contributed those devices. Bartók certainly inspired his fair share of jazz musicians. Benny Goodman commissioned Bartók’s Contrasts for clarinet-violin-piano trio.
In a interview of Charlie Parker with Marshall Stearns and John Maher, Parker explains “Bartók is my favorite, you know.” Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea recorded Ostinato for two pianos from Bartók’s Mikrokosmos.  Eric Dolphy’s tonal bebop harmony and melodic lines have been known to suggest the influences Bartók and Igor Stravinsky. 

Tonight at The Royal Room, some of Seattle’s finest pianists come together to explore Bartók’s musical language and reinterpret the sounds of jazz with the composers approach, drawing from influences of his iconic works for piano such as the Mikrokosmos.  Tonight’s performers will include Sumi Tonooka, Linda Dowdell, Wayne Horvitz and Randy Halberstadt. Hosted by Tim Kennedy.

The Piano Starts Here series highlights the work of some of the most prolific and talented composers and pianists to have ever tackled the instrument. Each of the performances brings together Seattle’s finest pianists to perform the works of the artist selected for that evening on the Royal Room's Steinway B grand piano. Past PSH performances have highlighted the work of Sonny Clark, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Bill Evans, Fats Waller, Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Herbie Hancock and Herbie Nichols. Curated by Wayne Horvitz and Tim Kennedy. Hosted by Tim Kennedy.

Please note: Tickets do not guarantee seating during shows at the Royal Room. For sold out shows standing room may be the only available space. Please come early to ensure you get a table. Reservations can be made for those who are coming for dinner as well as the show. The Royal Room is all ages until 10pm.