Barnes Hall hosted a one-of-a-kind performance on Friday, April 25, as part of the larger "Keyboard Energies" symposium. The concert featured a remarkable convergence of 11 keyboard instruments — from harpsichord and clavichord to organ, fortepiano, modern piano, and multiple generations of synthesizers — with occasional additions of guitar and drums. Thirteen performers from Cornell and beyond collaborated on a continuous sonic exploration of keyboard electrification and its evolving sound, blending reimagined classical works, contemporary compositions, and improvisation. One audience member — Mikayla Tetteh-Martey, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences — offers a thoughtful and vivid reflection on the experience in her piece for The Cornell Daily Sun.
Walking into the dim interior of Barnes Hall auditorium on a rainy Friday evening felt almost like stepping into a sacred place. The vaulted arches overhead, reddish-brown brick walls and soft purple curtains framing the stage created an atmosphere of quiet reverence. The pre-performance blue light spilling from the music stands bathed the instruments — harpsichords, clavichords, clavinets and synthesizers — in an otherworldly glow. As I looked around, I noticed people of all ages sitting and talking excitedly about what was to come. Mosaic windows surrounded the room, their colorful patterns enhancing the ethereal atmosphere of the space. As I found my seat, I felt a similar buzz of anticipation building inside me.
Read the whole story by Mikayla Tetteh-Martey in the Cornell Daily Sun.
