Today the Seattle Symphony announces the much-anticipated artistic programming for Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, a new innovative venue in Benaroya Hall opening in March 2019. An unprecedented milestone in Seattle Symphony’s history, the inaugural season of Octave 9 features daring excursions beyond the limits of convention, representing a bold commitment to the music of today. Through the nexus of technology, art and design, Octave 9’s versatile, immersive environment will see five world premieres, over 70 contemporary composers and 70 instrumentalists from the opening in March through June 2019.
Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center’s novel first season includes a 24-hour nonstop Contemporary Music Marathon that features multi-sensory and interactive performances; creative chamber concerts; intimate performances alongside illuminating conversations with artists and composers; insightful lectures; events for families that spark curiosity; and a new performance venue for the community.
“Octave 9 is groundbreaking,” shared Krishna Thiagarajan, President & CEO of the Seattle Symphony. “In this space, we will live and breathe today’s art and support contemporary composers with a dedicated medium for their work. Arts are the way a society articulates itself, and Octave 9 signifies the importance of supporting the voices of today.”
Beginning in March 2019 the Seattle Symphony will invite composers, musicians and interdisciplinary artists to explore the venue as a creative tool. In addition to innovative Seattle Symphony projects, Octave 9 will serve as an artistic incubator, welcoming the community and local artists to take advantage of the venue’s unique capabilities as a small chamber music hall or experimental performance environment.
“At Octave 9, we will create spectacular multisensory performances that engage and delight many different types of audiences,” added Elena Dubinets, Seattle Symphony Vice President of Artistic Planning and Creative Projects. “With an immense variety of music, we can inspire, challenge, provoke and transform, always in a dialogue with the communities we serve. In our inaugural season we will have the opportunity to work with over 70 composers of all backgrounds, collaborating with them to create and share the music of the future.”
The launch of Octave 9 coincides with the 20th anniversary of Benaroya Hall, the Seattle Symphony’s home since 1998. Centrally located in downtown Seattle across the street from the Seattle Art Museum and blocks from the Harbor Steps, Pike Place Market, Seattle Theater District and the new Seattle Waterfront Octave 9 will add a third performance venue to Benaroya Hall. Designed in collaboration with LMN Architects as a space unlike any other, it will open new opportunities for cross-genre collaborations and allow the Symphony to continue to boldly push boundaries and engage new audiences.
