Eunoia Junior College - Xavier Hui

Details

Description

Title: Bacchanale
Composer: John Cage
Performed by: Xavier Hui

Description of Work:
Bacchanale was John Cage's first composition for prepared piano. Composed in response to a request for a dance accompaniment by Syvilla Fort, a fellow faculty member at the Cornish School where Cage worked, he had initially intended to compose a piece for percussion ensemble. However, due to space constraints at the performance venue, and with the availability of only a traditional grand piano, Cage experimented with percussive timbres on the piano by placing objects such as erasers, screws and bolts inside the instrument. The prepared piano became a signature instrument for Cage. The piano used in this performance is prepared based on the instructions provided by John Cage.