Tuesday pick: This piano concert is in another state, but the keys will be moving in Fresno
Facebook Fans of theater and opera are accustomed to live events broadcast on the big screen. From the Metropolitan Opera to selected Broadway plays and musicals, the Edwards movie theater has become a cultural hub.
Here’s an event that will take the “live remote” experience to another level. Fresno Piano Gallery is hosting a remote-live concert tonight (7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 7194 N. Abby St., Fresno) featuring Keiko Matsui, an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist. She will be performing in Phoenix, and the concert will be broadcast live in the Fresno store.
“But it’s not like a normal live broadcast,” says Nick Estrada of Fresno Piano Gallery. “Everything she is playing on her piano in Phoenix is playing exactly the same on our Yamaha on our stage — moving keys and pedals, every dynamic and articulation, it’s all being done on our piano while she is in a different state.”
Admission is free and will be in the Fresno Piano Gallery Recital Hall. Social hour with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres will be at 6 p.m. Space is limited, so you can RSVP at 559-226-0793 for a guaranteed seat.
The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible.
Steph
To be honest, this seems kinda weird – watching a player piano play without a, y’know, a player. I’ve been to Fresno Piano and they usually have a Yamaha just playing tunes all by itself. I can only watch it for a little while.
I dunno. It’s just sounding a bit…weird!
Donald Munro
I was wondering the same thing, Steph. Sort of ghostly? I guess the next step is that we’ll be able to view holograms of Broadway performers lip-syncing to the live version.