The Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall are preparing to launch their new venue, Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, with an opening ceremony and free open house on March 3. Octave 9 features a surround-screen with moveable panels, ultra-short-throw projectors, motion-capture cameras, and a Meyer Sound Constellation acoustic system with 42 speakers and 30 microphones. The new space’s first season from March to June 2019 will include five world premieres. Once a month beginning on March 7, Octave 9 will host free evening interactive demonstrations of the space, and family open houses are planned in March, April, May, and June. Beginning at 5 p.m. on March 23 and ending at 5 p.m. the next day, there will be a 24-hour contemporary-music marathon, with Seattle Symphony musicians and guest artists performing works by more than 50 composers, including an overnight “sleepover” incorporating an interactive music installation. The marathon will begin with the world premiere of an electronic piece by Melody Parker designed to showcase Octave 9’s sonic range and capabilities. Other composers co-curating one-hour programs during the marathon will include John Luther Adams, Inti Logan Figgis-Vizueta, Jessie Montgomery, Gity Razaz, Alex Temple, and Julia Wolfe. More information here.
Posted February 27, 2019
