John Cage's Toy Piano
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
John Cage wrote his famed "Suite for Toy Piano" in 1948, the first year he taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina - an enormously creative period in his life. Tonight we will hear the original Suite, performed on the one-octave range of the toy piano and marked by ever-intensifying rhythms. Immediately following, we will hear Lou Harrison's 1963 orchestration of the work. The contrast between the two versions is striking and illuminating.
Later this evening, we will hear J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor, and well as a work by Alessandro Scarlatti. We will also hear a suite by Arvo Part and a work for marimba and violin by young American composer Kenji Bunch. In addition, we will hear pieces by less familiar composers Veljo Torms and Rock Sowash.
Later this evening, we will hear J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor, and well as a work by Alessandro Scarlatti. We will also hear a suite by Arvo Part and a work for marimba and violin by young American composer Kenji Bunch. In addition, we will hear pieces by less familiar composers Veljo Torms and Rock Sowash.
