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In the second of the two performances in James Turrell's skyscape "Joseph's Coat" following the sunset viewing, the tone of the evening was less contemplative and far more playful and inventive. Phyllis Chen is obviously a gifted pianist, composer and multimedia artist, but for the uninitiated -- which I would bet was everyone in the room -- a full concert on a toy piano was hard to imagine.
Luckily Chen, along with her growing tribe of toy piano composers, has enough imagination for all of us; she drew us into a tiny world of wonder, music and toys.
Having watched "Joseph's Coat" lying on the floor, I remained seated there for Chen's performance experiencing it at eye level, like a kindergartner. Her first work, "Mirabella" by Stephen Montague, immediately established her technical and musical prowess. She employed touch, phrasing and dynamics as effectively on the tiny keyboard as she might...