Before there was grunge, before there was Hendrix, there was…the prepared piano. In this we explore three new recordings featuring Seattle’s most famous musical invention, with Illegal Crowns and Ana Foutel demonstrating its use in contemporary free improv, while Agnese Toniutti represents Cage’s original conception via her fresh traversal of the Sonatas and Interludes. Cage’s influence is also evident in a classic Takemitsu/Roger Woodward collaboration that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in a new Hannah Kendall composition for solo violin prepared with dreadlock cuffs.
We also continue our exploration of Liza Lim’s ambitious new orchestral triptych. Plus, Brian Baumbusch melds Nancarrow and minimalism, Elsa Bergman plays in a quintet, Sun Ra plays (uncharacteristically) in a quartet, while Anthony Pateras multitracks, Vassos Nicolaou writes for piano and Todd Sickafoose writes for podcast. Creative and improvised music from around the world, with host Michael Schell.
