Pauline Adamek
In a unique art, music and performance-based installation, thirty hand-painted and gaily-decorated pianos are being placed in public spaces across Sthn Cali with the invitation to anyone to sit down and play.
Devised by artist Luke Jerram, this art project has been touring internationally since 2008, touching down in cities such as Sydney, London and Bristol to name a few.
Now the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) has brought Play Me, I’m Yours to Los Angeles. For its LA incarnation, the three week-long project will launch at noon on Thursday April 12, 2012, and will feature simultaneous performances by thirty pianists, meaning performances by professional musicians as well as local music students at all thirty locations. After that, for the following three weeks, these pianos are available to any member of the public to play and enjoy. Even you!
The thirty pianos, designed and decorated by local artists and community organizations, are featured across Los Angeles County and are available for everyone to play, in celebration of acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane’s 15th anniversary as LACO music director. Maestro Kahane will kicks off the ‘lunch launch’ in Downtown L.A. on Thurs. You can go here to learn more about Jeffrey and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
The installation, a unique gift to Southern California, launches with this free, countywide event on Thursday, featuring a simultaneous performance of the Preludes from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 on all 30 pianos. Promising local music students as well as acclaimed musicians ranging from Kahane to Lucinda Carver; Los Angeles Master Chorale Music Director/LA Opera Resident Conductor Grant Gershon; Mark Robson of Piano Spheres; Bryan Pezzone; Rueibin Chen; Pasadena Master Chorale Artistic Director Jeffrey Bernstein; Peter Walsh; Gavin Martin; Tom McDonald; Piano Spheres Founding Member and Pasadena Conservatory of Music Piano Department Chair Susan Svrcek; Gideon Rubin; and LACO Composer-In-Residence Derek Bermel will each perform the first Prelude at noon followed by an additional Prelude from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 and a selection of pieces of their own choosing.
Also helping with the musical kickoff are LACO Board member Raymond Lowe and Leslie Thomas, Director of the Community Arts Division for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, both accomplished pianists in their own right.
“This special countywide tribute to Jeffrey Kahane reflects Jeffrey’s incredible artistry, unbridled passion for music, deep devotion to music education, and all that he has given musically to Los Angeles during his tenure,” says LACO Executive Director Rachel Fine.
Anyone can tickle the ivories at the Santa Monica Pier and the Annenberg Community Beach House. To find the piano nearest you go to the official site. For additional information about Play Me I’m Yours, please call 213 622 7001 x 221.
You can also go to the official website to read and leave comments, upload films and photos about the pianos.
For more info on the conceptual artist, Luke Jerram, go here.
Brian Sonia-Wallace
