Pigott Auditorium
Musica callada by Federico Mompou
-Tickets available at the door: $5 students, $8 faculty/staff, $12 general admission
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."
Pianist Joseph Williams was born in Tacoma, WA. He has performed in numerous venues across the United States and abroad in Amman, Jordan and Dubai, UAE. He earned a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory, where he was awarded the piano faculty prize in accompanying. Upon graduating, he was immediately hired on the staff of Oberlin as a collaborative pianist. He holds a Master of Music degree in piano performance from Cleveland State University. Mr. Williams directs Tukwila Kids Make Music, an after school program of Riverton Park UMC offering piano, guitar and choir instruction to 50 children every week at no cost.