The Beyond: Microtonal Music Festival returns to Pittsburgh this weekend.

Microtonal music, according to festival organizers, “expands the possibilities of sound by using tuning systems beyond, or in addition to, the standard 12-note equal temperament common in Western classical and popular music.”

One of the event’s highlights is Ellen Fullman’s Long String Instrument installation, with dozens of tuned wires stretched 50 or more feet.

“Playing my instrument is like walking or swimming in a strong current,” Fullman told 15questions.net in an interview. “If the harmony changes too drastically it is like going against the current – there is chaos and resistance from the power of what has been set in motion – the string really doesn’t want to speak.”

Here’s a look at the rest of the festival schedule:

JACK Quartet and Ekmeles Vocal Ensemble with Scott Pauley, 8 p.m. Friday at Bellefield Hall Auditorium Fullman’s Long String Instrument installation with JACK Quartet, 2 p.m. Saturday at WQED Studio A JACK Quartet, pianist Conor Hanick, Ekmeles Vocal Ensemble, 8 p.m. at Bellefield Hall Auditorium Eric Moe, Theophilus Root, Ryan McMasters, 4 p.m. Sunday at Bellefield Hall Auditorium

For tickets and more information, visit pittsburghsoundpreserve.org.

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