UW School of Music

John keeps an eye on the University of Washington School of Music performance calendar for recitals and concerts. Many are free to the public, or almost free...
We drove to the campus yesterday to hear a Beethoven lecture-recital in the music building. The beautiful old cherry trees were blooming on the Quad. A pretty sight, but you had to elbow your way through the crowds and cameras; it's a real destination this time of year. Here's John, holding up a tree and looking like a egghead professor.
The UW music building has a small auditorium, and over the years we've seen faculty, students and guest soloists perform there. It's surprising these free concerts are usually under-attended, considering the level of talent at a big university. But that's classical music for you-- and there are plenty of other distractions in Seattle on a spring afternoon. The music school concerts usually bring out a smattering of students, and a handful of culture vultures. There was a group of ladies who drove all the way from Anacortes, and were introduced as the town's local "Beethoven Society." Goodness!

We heard a long-winded academic lecture by Danius Vaicekonis, most of which went over my head. But then he played Beethoven's Opus 31 THREE piano sonatas, straight through. Two hours of entertainment. What a deal.