For some, the piano is the instrument of instruments. Here are ten good reasons why. 40-minute mix with works by Charlemagne Palestine, Graeme Revell, Henry Cowell, Johanna Magdalena Beyer and others, composed between 1912 and 2017.
Playlist
Johanna Magdalena Beyer – Sonatina in C: III. Andante
Late piano work by the German-American composer, who also did pioneering work in the field of electronic music. (1943, New World Records)
Henry Cowell – Aeolian Harp
One of the first piano pieces to employ extended techniques. Henry Cowell’s method of string piano is played by bowing and plucking the strings inside the instrument. (1923, Smithsonian Folkways)
Cornelius Cardew – Father Murphy
Based on a song about the Irish rebellion of 1798. (1974, Cramps Records)
Cyril Scott – Poppies
Composition associated with a poem. (1912, Muza)
Egidija Medekšaitė – Textile 1
Investigation of the connection between textile patterns and musical structures. (2017, Lithuanian Music Information and Publishing Centre)
Graeme Revell – Countess Saladine
Interpretation of Adolf Wölfli’s mandala work from 1911. (1986, Mute)
David Shea – Trance
Piano work based on methods of electronic composition. (2016, Room40)
Michael Harrison – Theme Of The Garden Of Avalon (2/3)
Played on the Harmonic Piano in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City. (1990, New Albion)
Charlemagne Palestine – One + Two + Three Fifths in the Rhythm Three Against Two, For Piano – One Fifth
Variation of tones, intervals, overtones and rhythms produced by a Bösendorfer grand piano. (1973, Alga Marghen)
Sun Ra – Haverford Impromptu #1
The pioneer of free jazz plays a Fender Rhodes electric piano. (1980, Enterplanetary Koncepts)
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