Scholarly discussion of the music of John Cage.

[Philip Thomas <>]

I've played this one a few times and in the past have played it as a C (highest note). There are I think three possibilities: a) at the time of inscribing Cage thought this pitch was a C, in which case it could be a C flat; b) it's beyond the range of the piano so play the highest pitch (C); c) Cage miscounted the number of ledger lines and added one too many, in which case it's a B flat.

I reckon any of these are fine!

Would be really interested in reading your analysis, Rob. Am currently preparing a new realisation of these pieces.

Cheers

Philip

 

 

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From: Thomas Moore []
Sent: 25 March 2014 00:09
To: Rob Haskins
Cc: Silence
Subject: [silence] Re: Music for Piano 21

It does indeed. I have Bob Dunn's copy of the score—he performed these with John, and the score is filled with timings and pencilled-in jottings, but there's nothing written at that D-flat.

Tom

On Monday, March 24, 2014, Rob Haskins <> wrote:

Analyzing Music for Piano 21, I notice that it includes an unplayable note (D-flat above the highest C on the piano). It's very confusing to me, because this is one Cage himself played with Tudor regularly; surely he knew the note couldn't be played. What did he do? Are there any pianists on the list who play this one and can tell me what they do? 

Rob

--

Rob Haskins, D.M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Music, College of Liberal Arts
University of New Hampshire
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603-862-3155 (fax)
<http://unh.edu/music/>
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<http://musicandmiscellaneous.blogspot.com/>

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