Seattle Symphony: EO9066

• Kaoru Ishibashi (Kishi Bashi), violin

Paul Chihara — Beyond the Hills (world premiere)
Kaoru Ishibashi (Kishi Bashi) — Improvisations on EO9066
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36

The Seattle Symphony marks the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which saw the incarceration of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans during the Second World War, indelibly changing their lives and our region — the effects of which are still felt today.

Opening the program is a Seattle Symphony commission and world premiere by Japanese American composer Paul Chihara, which grapples with Chihara’s lived experience from the incarceration; then the musicians are joined onstage by Seattle-born Kishi Bashi for his own Improvisations on EO9066; Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 rounds out the program.

Alongside this powerful concert, the Seattle Symphony presents Pictures of Executive Order 9066, an immersive, self-guided video experience featuring photography by Dorothea Lange and oral histories supplied by Densho. The exhibition showcases award-winning filmmaker JJ Gerber and singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Kishi Bashi’s exploration into stories of those impacted by Executive Order 9066.

The Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall will require all event attendees to provide proof of full vaccinations (or a negative COVID-19 test) and to wear masks inside the venue regardless of vaccination status. Visit seattlesymphony.org/safety for more information on our safety measures.

About Seattle Symphony

Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives, and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 26 Grammy nominations, and two Emmy Awards, and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle.

https://www.seattlesymphony.org/

About Kaoru Ishibashi (Kishi Bashi), violin

https://www.kishibashi.com/