Toy piano impresario Scott Paulson said he doesn’t want readers to miss the 10th annual Toy Piano Festival at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Geisel Library. But he warns that unless you get there early, you may be seated at the same level as the performers — on the floor. “We are very serious about having a good time at these events,” Paulson said, adding that’s why performers return year after year. “It’s partly a ‘happening’ and partly a traditional musical fellowship gathering.” One is instantaneously enchanted by the Geisel collection of toy pianos, which range from gaily-painted, small, toy store uprights to a very sophisticated, ebony baby, baby, baby grand. During a recent festival, this writer was convulsed by the appearance of a dignified performer in full concert regalia, who ceremoniously flipped up his tails and sank into a lotus position to address said baby, baby, baby grand. The pieces are serious, too, according to Paulson, also known as artistic director of the Teeny Tiny Pit Orchestra and the Foley artist who appears in Cygnet Theatre’s annual Christmas show. The works range from traditional lullabies to “performance art” works. This year, because it is an anniversary, he expects to include John Cage’s “Suite for Toy Piano,” considered the first “serious” work for toy piano. Paulson has also programmed “Variations on a Tumbao,” written by Mexico City composer Luis Obregon, and an arrangement of “Huapango,” from the late Mexican composer Carlos Chavez. Japanese composer Ryoko Amadee Goguen performs a new sonata for toy piano; Sue Palmer, a new boogie-woogie; and a work from Chilean composer Nicolas Ignacio Carvajal will also be heard, as well as a new blues piece by Gail Gipson. Paulson, himself, will perform a new work as well, and, in late breaking news, he revealed that Wendy Clemente has just signed on for the Sunday show. Other well-known local musicians participating this year are music critic Christian Hertzog, Miriam Manning and Kenneth Herman — he of the elegant tails. The Toy Piano Collection at the Geisel Library consists of actual instruments, recordings, extant literature (who knew?) and commissioned scores. “In 2001, because of our activities and at our request, the Library of Congress issued a special call number and subject heading for toy piano scores,” Paulson said. In case one has a need to know, the number is M 175 T69. There are two chances this year for those who want to have some serious fun hearing serious music seriously played on what — at one’s peril — could be termed wacky instruments (toy pianos are notoriously impossible to tune). Join other rabid aficionados on the lower level, west wing of the Geisel Library at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 or noon Monday, Sept. 13. It’s free. For more information, contact Paulson, UCSD Arts Library, [email protected] or (858) 822-5758.
