Gather Hear Tour

Those of a certain age will remember the television western, Have Gun, Will Travel, about an itinerant black knight who traveled the countryside helping rich and poor resolve their problems.

In an equally troubled time in American history, Boston-based concert pianist Miki Sawada has adapted the theme, becoming a modern-day Paladin by touring Massachusetts, piano in tow, from May 6th through May 30th. The tour is part of her Gather Hear Tour, through which she hopes to visit all 50 states.

Sawada will perform for free in 13 towns and cities across Massachusetts, presented by small businesses, non-profit organizations and city entities. A concert will be held in Sheffield at 6:30PM May 18th, presented by Dewey Hall. Another concert is slated for North Adams at 1PM May 23rd presented by TOURISTS. All concerts take place outdoors and masks are required.

In Gather Hear Massachusetts, Sawada presents a program reflecting the past year in pandemic-age America. She represents Florence Price, an African-American composer who was the first woman of color to have a piece performed by a major American orchestra. On the program is Franz Liszt’s Piano Sonata, one of the most virtuosic and dramatic pieces for solo piano. A commission by Boston-based musician Ariel Friedman rounds out the program with a piece titled Before I Die, inspired by artist Candy Chang’s public art project of the same title.

Sawada is on a mission to inspire human connection across political and socioeconomic divides. The Gather Hear Tour was founded after the 2016 presidential election when Sawada despaired over the reality of American life that was bared and looked for ways to use classical music as a positive force.