ARTS at Seattle U: Joseph Williams, piano
$12 / $8 / $5
Joseph Williams, piano
Federico Mompou – Música Callada
The primary masterwork of Catalan composer Federico Mompou's late years is Música Callada ("Silent Music"), a piano suite consisting of 28 pieces arranged in four books of 9, 7, 5, and 9 movements. Most of the pieces occupy just two or three lightly scored pages of music, and the dynamic level only rarely exceeds mezzo piano.
Música Callada sometimes breaks into brief, wistful dance phrases; otherwise the music is best characterized as containing only the barest indication of a pulse. Although the work is extremely economical in its means, it is not easy to play. On the contrary, Música Callada represents a test of concentration and restraint over extended periods.
About Música Callada, Mompou once wrote, "its mission is to reach the profound depths of our soul and the hidden domains of the vital force our spirits. This music is silent (callada) as if heard from within."
Joseph Williams is an active freelance pianist in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Formerly a staff instrumental collaborative pianist at Oberlin Conservatory, he has performed at numerous venues ranging from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC to various schools throughout Amman, Jordan. In addition to teaching piano at Federal Way School of Music and Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma, he directs Tukwila Kids Make Music, a program which offers group piano instruction to Tukwila children at no cost. Recently, he has enjoyed his work as a substitute choir teacher and behavior therapist.
Tickets: $12 ($8 Seattle U faculty/staff, $5 students)
About Joseph Williams
Joseph Williams is a pianist, educator, film producer and curator from Tacoma, WA.
Memorable performance venues include The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Northwest African American Museum and Dubai's Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children. Upcoming engagements include performances at Fort Worth Opera and Steinway Hall (NYC).
He is founder and director of Tukwila Kids Make Music, a free music instruction program offering piano and violin classes to underserved children (K-5).
He is an advisory board member for New Music Initiative for Black Voices, a nationwide invitational that aims to celebrate and empower Black composers and their music. He also serves on MTNA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.
Curations include Black Splendor, a free ten-episode virtual series highlighting Black musicians and composers residing in the Pacific Northwest.
He is Curator of Art and Music at Lakewold Gardens.
https://about.me/joseph_williams