Strange piano strings
The classic keyboard also has not escaped the desire for experimenting by adventurous composers. Some composers literally dive into the piano strings: from a prepared or bowed piano to a keyboard that is out of tune. Sound artists even use the resonant strings in their installations. Today we will give you a colourful overview of historical and recent experiments in and with the piano. With music by, obviously, John Cage, Peter Michael Hamel, Stephen Scott and Dutch duo Mario van Horrik/Petra Dubach.
Playlist
1. John Cage: ‘And the earth shall bear again’ (1942) for prepared piano, on John Cage: Complete music for prepared piano. Giancarlo Simonacci (prepared piano). Brilliant Classics 8189 CD.
2. John Cage: ‘Primitive’ (1942) for prepared piano, on John Cage: Complete music for prepared piano. Giancarlo Simonacci (prepared piano). Brilliant Classics 8189 CD.
3. Stephen Scott: ‘The Tears of Niobe’ (1986) for bowed piano, on Stephen Scott: Minerva’s Web/The Tears of Niobe. The Colorado College New Music Ensemble. New Albion records. NA026 CD
4. Peter Michael Hamel: ‘The Self-Tuned Piano-Qingdao’ (2011), on PM Hamel: The Self-Tuned Piano (CD zu Band 61: Komponisten in Bayern), PM Hamel (piano and vocals), Tonkünstlerverband Bayern CD
5. Petra Dubach & Mario van Horrik: ‘Clamps and Hooks #1’ (2013-2014), for speakers and long strings, on Petra Dubach & Mario van Horrik: Waves. Dubach & Van Horrik (Waves-installation). Edition Telemark 628.01 LP (dubbel 12’’)
6. Petra Dubach & Mario van Horrik: ‘Flexitar’ (2002), for long piano strings + two guitars, on Petra Dubach & Mario van Horrik: The Adventures of Toon Scales. Dubach & Van Horrik (installation). Own production DuHo 2002 CD.
