Gamelan Music (Photo – Caltech)
A lecture recital with pianist Robert Ward will explore “Gamelan Music for Prepared Piano” by John Cage, music from before the age of technology.
By News Desk
For nearly a century, science has provided composers with an ever-expanding spectrum of sounds. In the pursuit of “new” soundscapes, all sources—whether from nature or traditional musical instruments—became subjects of electronic processing. The musical results were often minimal. Nonetheless, this research paved the way for the first synthesizers and a series of improved versions, culminating in the Moog synthesizer of 1964.
The release of the groundbreaking album Switched-On Bach by composer and electronic musician Wendy Carlos propelled the record to the top of Billboard’s charts, where it remained for nearly three years. This success clearly demonstrated that Moog’s synthesizer, far beyond its application for electronic music, had significant implications for popular music as well.
In the late 1930s, composer John Cage was also in search of new sounds. True to his individualistic nature, Cage’s path did not lead him to the local Radio Shack but to his garage, where, like a chef carefully selecting spices, he assembled various materials to mute the strings of his piano. This transformed the traditional piano sounds into an exotic creation he called the “prepared piano.”
It’s a fascinating story that blends practical necessity, a chance encounter with Indian philosophy, the impact of World War II, outside-the-box thinking, extraordinary sensitivity to tonal color, and moments of sheer genius. Experience a musical tour to Java and Bali through the exotic rhythms and colors of the Gamelan orchestra—produced on the piano.
Robert Ward—pianist, master teacher, orchestra conductor, and founder of ConcertoFestEuropa (Vienna)—will serve as the tour guide, demonstrating the “preparations” and performing a selection of Cage’s Sonatas & Interludes for Prepared Piano.
Before a 1988 performance in New York City, Robert Ward had the opportunity to play these pieces for John Cage. The next day, he received the following telegram:
“Thank you for all that you are doing. I enjoyed the expressive timing (rubato) very much, and the preparation is very colorful. Thank you for playing so beautifully.”
—John Cage (1988)
Admission to this event is free. Due to campus construction, parking is recommended in the large lot behind Beckman Auditorium. The concert will take place on the 2nd floor of the Hameetman Student Center in Frautschi Rehearsal Hall.
Gamelan Music for Prepared Piano April 6, 2025 3:00 pm Location Frautschi Rehearsal Hall in Hameetman Student Center 1200 E California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125
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