It may seem odd to blend improvisation – or music created spontaneously within a performance – with classical works that seem fixed and timeless. But the two go hand-in-hand at Emerald City Music’s October 21, 2023 “Evolution of Improvisation” performance held in South Puget Sound Community College’s Minnaert Center for the Arts. You’ll hear works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach – who gave their classical soloists the leeway for improvisatory passages in their music – uniquely placed side-by-side with a series of jazz improvisations featuring lauded musicians from around the globe.
Emerald City Music Explores Musical Evolution with Their Signature Flair
Andrew Goldstein is Emerald City Music’s executive director. He explains that they’ve been exploring musical evolution in all its forms for the past several years. In 2021 they started with the evolution of the keyboard that showcased everything from Baroque harpsichords to 21st-Century synthesizers. In 2022 they looked at the evolution of the cello.
This year they’ll kick off their season with the Olympia performance “Evolution of Improvisation.” “Improvisation is the essence of music, regardless of genres,” Artistic Director Kristin Lee explains. “Every single creator of music starts from a place of inspiration and jots down what comes to their mind, the only difference is that culture and time have separated this idea into different genres of music. If we travel back in time to Mozart and Beethoven’s years, these composers were known to be the most incredible improvisers and some of the pieces on this particular program will demonstrate how improvisation was a pivotal element to their music.”
After being classically trained, Emerald City Music’s artistic director began exploring the world of jazz and collaborating with fellow musicians. “I realized that at the end of the day, we are all doing basically the same thing: creating and making music. With this platform at ECM, I want to share with my audience the opportunity to recognize that genres may have separated our sounds over the years, but we are essentially all here for great music! And by having these opportunities to experience different sounds, it allows us to continue learning and appreciating more and more about this art form we love.”
Outside the Box Musical Programs to Inform, Educate and Entertain
Goldstein and the other forces behind Emerald City Music always strive to keep things a bit outside of the box, but always with killer music, he says. With this show’s blend of classical composers and fresh, uniquely improvisational jazz playing, he promises the audience will experience something they love that’s also totally new.
The evening is more than a blend of sounds. It also combines genres, backgrounds, styles and specialties into a carefully curated performance. The night begins with Mozart’s Sonata for Piano and Violin (K.306) then a 15-minute improvisation for solo jazz guitar by Miles Okazaki. Beethoven’s iconic Kreutzer Sonata will be followed by an improvisation for solo drums by legendary drummer Dafnis Prieto. Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue will give way to a spontaneous improvisation featuring jazz legends Steve Coleman and Anthony Tidd, co-curator of this performance.
You won’t want to miss the entire season at Emerald City Music. “We are bringing world-class artists – returning and also debuting – with programs that range from the 1600s to world premieres written in 2023,” shares Lee. “Not only will this season be capturing a wide scope of time, but also delve into a wide range of genres. From sounds like jazz to world music like Indonesian Gamelan, the programs will be invigorating, educational, and electrifying.”
Enjoy A Gem of a Musical Season with Emerald City Music’s Multi-Faceted Talent
The team behind Emerald City Music works hard to create an environment that welcomes everyone, from newbies to long-standing aficionados. “Every performance is hand-crafted to feature a wide array of music, featuring the world’s best classical musicians and soloists from around the world,” shares Goldstein. “Many in Olympia are surprised to learn that 50 to 80 of the most globally-lauded classical artists can be found on stage right here in town, without an extensive drive to major concert halls elsewhere.”
Tickets to the “Evolution of Improvisation” are available in several ways.
Season subscriptions are just $240 for all seven shows and can be purchased directly through Emerald City Music.
Single tickets to this performance are $10 for students and range from $30 to $40 for adults. Buy through the Washington Center for the Performing Arts box office at 512 Washington Street SE. Box office hours run from 12 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or two hours before any ticketed event.
Email boxoffice@washingtoncenter.org or call 360.753.8586 with questions. The event takes place at SPSCC’s Minnaert Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
Improvisation is ephemeral and often fleeting. We often use the word unique but, in this case, it’s 100% accurate. The sounds you’ll hear from that intimate stage in West Olympia will spring into being before your very ears, so to speak. Don’t miss out on something truly one-of-a-kind.
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