Town Hall and Joshua Roman

Few things get me more giddy and excited than an outing involving both music and good food. Well, tonight I had all the above, plus the good company of Joan, my friend and fellow Cello Nerd, when we headed to Seattle's venerable Town Hall to hear a performance of piano trios with Joshua Roman (cello), Dale Barltrop (violin) and Victor Santiago Asuncion (piano).

Town Hall, built in 1922, with its Roman revival-style architecture is a Seattle landmark. Built by the Fourth Church of Christ, it was purchased in 1998 and converted into a community cultural center offering musical performances, lectures, and events on a variety of topics from civics to short stories to science. The building is simply magnificent with six large columns on its 8th Avenue entrance. The acoustics and ambience in the Great Hall are superb. No one has to twist my arm to come here.

The group performed trios by Beethoven, Schubert, and a contemporary composer, Dan Visconti. My favorite was the Schubert (Trio in E flat maj. D. 929) but the most interesting piece was Lonesome Roads, by Visconti. The program notes explain that it was "inspired by memories of long, cross-country car trips and the rumbling, uneven grooves that underscore a constantly shifting landscape."

Prior to the performance we dined on what might well be the best pizza I have had since living on the west coast. I don't say this lightly. In addition to the scrumptious pizza, the design and decor of Primo (across from Town Hall) was very interesting and quite unusual for a restaurant. I suspect it may have originally been the small lobby for the apartment building that sits above it. With similar Roman-revival stylings as Town Hall, it has an air of subdued elegance not often found in a pizza parlor.

It was fun to spend the evening with Joan (who is a finalist for Skagit County Woman of the Year) catching up, comparing notes on cello techniques, practice tips, and so much more. Truly, an evening of Wine, Women and Song!