Eye Music CD Release Concert

Toshi Ichiyanagi – Sapporo

Eye Music is celebrating the release of their recording of Toshi Ichiyanagi's 1963 composition Sapporo. Recorded at Jack Straw Cultural Center through an Artist Support Program residency, this CD was published in Germany in May 2018 by the German label Edition Wandelweiser Records. CDs will be for sale at this event.

Eye Music is a Seattle-based ensemble specializing in the interpretation of graphic and text scores. Current members include Jonathan Way, David Stanford, Michael Shannon, Carl Lierman, Eric Lanzillotta, Susie Kozawa, Dave Knott, Jay Hamilton, and Amy Denio. The group was formed in 2006.

Toshi Ichiyanagi (b. 1933) is a Japanese composer who studied with John Cage. Cage's influence can be heard in the piece Sapporo, which mixes sustained tones with sharply attacked sounds. Each performer plays from a different page of lines and points with the only synchronization being in the form of notations to listen to or watch the other players.

About Eye Music

Originally formed in August 2006 to perform a student composition by Sune Smedeby, Eye Music has continued to focus on playing graphic scores since that time. Graphic scores are written musical compositions that rely on visual information rather than standard notation to convey musical ideas. Often these scores are as beautiful to look at just as they are intriguing to play. In addition to graphic scores, Eye Music also plays text scores which consist of verbal instructions for music making. In all cases, the scores used by the ensemble allow for a certain amount of openness in interpretation. These are musical pieces selected for the possibilities they inspire. They often require improvisation on the part of each performer because much can be interpreted differently each time a piece is played. However, they maintain a sense of form in one or more areas making the pieces a group activity in reaching a common goal. The openness of these compositions allows Eye Music to draw its membership from a wide range of musical backgrounds, instrumentation, and musical skill. Whenever possible, the ensemble works with guest composers on their pieces to gain a greater appreciation for possible approaches and considerations in performance of these works.