Cage: Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano

John [1] Cage (Composer), Boris Berman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Boris Berman
• Composer: John [1] Cage
• Audio CD (July 20, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos American
• ASIN: B00000JMYM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,671 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine performance of an avant garde classic., October 8, 1999

By 

William F. Long (St. Charles, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cage: Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (Audio CD)

Cage's "Sonatas & Interludes" go back to when he was actually composing music instead of rolling dice. They're written for a piano which has its strings' vibrations modified by various pieces of hardware to make it into a compact percussion orchestra. Some pieces hark back to Webern, some look ahead to Glass, others sound like gamelan or a Cuban percussion section. In this recording Berman brings out the best in the music, nicely adjusting to its moods and eccentricities. At its bargain price this recording is a must for all interested in the milestones of American music.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those afraid of "crazy modern music", March 21, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cage: Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (Audio CD)

I only want to add to the other glowing reviews that if you are someone who wants to expand your taste in music beyond the merely melodic but don't know where to start, this could be a very good place. I'm someone, for example, who has always considered Prokofiev about as far out as my taste could extend. I bought this disc because a friend recommended it (and because it's cheap!) and I love it! In fact, the second volume--Music For Prepared Piano, Vol. 2--just came out here in Europe, and I bought it immediately. I wasn't sorry. It's just as brilliant as the first.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars emminently accessible, June 20, 2000

By 

Rob Watkins (Augusta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cage: Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (Audio CD)

john cage, one of the most provocative of the 20th century minimalist composers, gives us a rare glimpse of accessibility. known for incredibly experimental scores and works, including '4:33', a four and a half minute long moment of silence, some of which are harder to appreciate than others, he was also a master pianist, not afraid to tinker with the inner works, exploring just what sort of music 88 keys and a box full of strings might make with a few things added, like nuts and bolts, spoons and forks, just about anything to broaden the aural spectrum of the instrument. the results, as evidenced here, are extraordinary. without clogging up space with cascades of notes, mr. cage paints a canvas at once haunting and captivating. he asserted that this music was as much a spiritual exercise as an artistic one, exploring the tenets of asian religion in sound, and one must confess that this music indeed fosters contemplation. further, modern twelve-tone music is often stereotyped as beep-and-squonk noise, but here is an example of just how beautiful it can be, as well as exemplifying the inherent structure of modernist classical music. this is a great place for someone new to the music to explore. just a note on the performance itself: mr. berman is excellent, capturing not only mr. cage's structural composition, but also the feel. and with naxos' wonderfully low price, this recording recommends itself. enjoy!