Music for Amplified Toy Pianos (John Cage)
This is a composition indeterminate of its performance. The material consists of seven sheets of transparent plastic. Two sheets have points (referring to the keys of rods of the piano(s)), two contain circles (piano amplification), two with points within circles (noise) and one contains a graph and a straight line. The transparencies are superimposed to create a single reading. Any number of readings may be made.
In a performance the toy pianos are amplified by using contact microphones. Loudspeakers are distributed around the public.
On the occasion of John Cage’s 100th anniversary, the Małe Instrumenty (Small Instruments) group has decided to present one of the first works dedicated to the toy piano: Music for Amplified Toy Pianos. The work, based on a graphic score published in 1960 by Edition Peters, has been subjected to a common reading and refreshed with the musical experience of performers that goes beyond the toy piano. Cage’s second and last work for toy piano gives this instrument a new character in the electroacoustic milieu through amplification. The concert premiere of this version will be performed on selected toy piano items from the extensive collection of Paweł Romańczuk, currently holding ca. 180 toy pianos.
