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John Cage may still be known as avant-garde, a musical rebel, who greatly influenced music all over the world. But not all his music was written for prepared piano or consisted of electronic sounds. He also wrote several pieces for the ‘traditional’ combination of violin and piano. One CD of this album is devoted to this complete part of Cage’s output.
He developed a keen interest in percussion, hence his prepared piano compositions. This lead to a number of unusual works, including one for voice and percussion. Such as the four dances for piano, voice and percussion. All of Cage’s songs are present here as well, with Three songs and Five songs on texts by E.E. Cummings and James Joyce.
Cage was stimulated in his work by other disciplines of arts. Remarkable in this respect was his collaboration with choreographer Merce Cunningham. The composer travelled extensively with the Cunningham Dance Company. This lead to a couple of pieces of ballet music for a single piano (with one item for voice). Both Four walls and The Seasons are recorded here.
Important, brand new recordings made earlier this year in Italy. Young singer Lorna Windsor here joins forces with David (violin) and Giancarlo (piano) Simonacci. Giancarlo was also responsible for the recordings of Cage’s music for prepared piano released by Brilliant Classics earlier this year. Percussion on this the present set of 3 CD’s is by Ars Ludi.
Track listing:
CD 1
Four Walls (1944) Dance Drama for piano with vocal interlude
Act One
1. I 3:02
2. II 3:12
3. III 2:00
4. Dance 3:48
5. IV 3:46
6. Dance 2:19
7. V 2:48
8. VI 2:35
9. VII (solo voice - M.Cunningham) 3:15
10. VIII
Act Two
11. IX 5:17
12. X 1:54
13. XI 3:44
14. XII 1:11
15. XIII 4:01
16. XIV 5:02
The Seasons (1947)
Ballet in One Act for piano
17. Prelude I 1:37
18. Winter 1:11
19. Prelude II 0:49
20. Spring 2:10
21. Prelude III 1:27
22. Summer 3:30
23. Prelude IV 0:42
24. Fall 1:59
25. Finale (Prelude I) 0:52
CD 2
Three songs (1933) for Voice and Piano
1. I - Twenty years after 0:34
2. II - Is it as it was 1:00
3. III - At east and ingredients 1:04
Five songs (1938) for Voice and Piano (e.e.cummings)
4. I - why did you go little four paws? 1:37
5. II - little tree 3:00
6. III - in Just-spring 1:07
7. IV - hist whist 1:06
8. V - tumbling hair 1:14
9. Forever and Sunsmell (1942) for voice and percussion (*) (e.e.cummings) 5:14
10. The wonderful widow of eighteen springs 1942) for voice and struck piano (J.Joyce) 2:48
Four Dances (1942-1943) for piano,voice and percussion (*)
11. Dance I 4:26
12. Dance II 6:24
13. Dance III 2:48
14. Dance IV 5:34
She in Asleep (1943)
15. I Percussion Quartet (12 tom toms) 4:34
16. II Duet for voice and prepared piano 7:21
17. A flower (1950) for voice and struck piano 3:11
18. Nowth upon nacht (1984) for voice and struck piano (J.Joyce) 1:06
CD 3
1. Nocturne (1947) 5:17
Six Melodies (1951)
2. I 2:25
3. II 2:06
4. III 2:03
5. IV 2:23
6. V 2:13
7. VI 2:16
Two4 (1991)
8. I 9:58
9. II 11:00
10. III 9:10
11. Two6 (1992) 20:16
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