In 1938, John Cage dressed up the inside of a piano with bolts, screws, and other assorted hardware, to fulfill the needs of small dance company looking for more sonic variety than their one piano, or budget, could muster. The “prepared” piano was born and ten years later Cage’s masterpiece for that invention, Sonatas and Interludes, was written.
Central to the work are ideas drawn from Indian aesthetic philosophy, ideas that would then become inspiration for the Cage’s creative direction and the foundation of his view of music’s fundamental purpose. Often excerpted in performance, pianist Boris Berman brings Sonatas and Interludes to the Nasher in its entirety, allowing us to experience the full, cumulative effect of Cage’s 70-minute work.
Soundings is supported by Charles and Jessie Price and Kay and Elliot Cattarulla, Aston Martin of Dallas, the Friends of Soundings, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and TACA. Additional support provided by Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger. Media Partner WRR 101.1 FM.