Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Playing Games

As a 2008 music feature on NPR pointed out, the Bowed Piano Ensemble better resembles “a team of surgeons performing an operation” than a 10-person band. The unconventional Colorado College assembly is known for deconstructing piano music — literally. Founded by Stephen Scott in 1977, the cluster crams around a partially dismantled grand piano, coaxing new sounds from the 88. How? By pulling nylon fishing line across the piano strings, adding percussion with Popsicle sticks, plucking with guitar picks, and so on. What could be quite a racket under less capable hands is actually a robust harmony plump with singing strains, deep drones and bright staccatos. Attend a hands-on workshop with the gang before the concert and you’ll see what we mean.