Scriabin and Kandinksy: Hearing Color, Seeing Sound

Pianist Jade Simmons blends music tones and color tones

Comments (0) By Blake Whitaker Thursday, Aug 20 2009

More About

At Scriabin and Kandinksy: Hearing Color, Seeing Sound, pianist Jade Simmons will explore the link between the visual and the auditory. While it's possible to achieve this with certain classic rock albums and illegal drugs, all Simmons needs is a score and some slides Ñ the Houston pianist will perform composer Alexander Scriabin's 24 Preludes, Op. 11 as a selection of abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky's work is projected on a screen. The two Russians are ideal for Simmons's endeavor. Scriabin's flowing pieces - which influenced the likes of Stravinsky and the Serialists - were based on his belief that each of the 12 traditional Western tones matched a specific color. The sounds produced by Scriabin's rainbow of keys pair perfectly with the electric paintings of Kandinsky, who, on the flip side of the cross-sensory coin, said that he heard tones as he painted. These themes and theories can get pretty heavy, but don't worry - an introduction at each performance will enlighten the perplexed. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Wade Wilson Art, 4411 Montrose. (Seating is very limited.) For information, visit www.jademedia.org. $10.
Fri., Aug. 21, 7 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 22, 7 p.m., 2009