Music for Contemplation

Music for Contemplation presents JUST RHODES, a program of newly commissioned works for a restored 1975 Rhodes electric piano in a just tuning system, performed by keyboardist Andrea Lodge. The program will include works by composers Elizabeth Adams, Gelsey Bell, Christina Campanella, Jack Callahan, James Ilgenfritz, Dan Joseph, Erin Rogers and David Watson.

At its core a research project, JUST RHODES challenges composers to work with harmony and melody in a new way. Most music is written in equal temperament, where the distance between notes is the same. Conventions and assumption have crystalized around this tuning. By using a new tuning, composers confront their assumptions, opening the door to new way of thinking.

Beginning in January of 2025, the instrument went to the first commissioned composer, who completed a new piece by the end of the month. From there, it went to a new composer each month, resulting in the first round of new works heard here tonight.