Album: Pi-hsien Chen & Ian Pace, Pierre Boulez & John Cage: Structures & Music for Piano (Hat Art)

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The differing approaches of Cage and Boulez to the challenges of composition is signalled in the titles they chose: the hyper-control of Boulez's Structures versus the laissez-faire openness of Cage's Music for Piano.

Alternated here, they sound like opposing forces battling towards the same goal. Boulez's pieces are studied and rational, the two pianos sparring intensely. In Cage's case, one of the parameters ceded to the performers is the option to play several pieces simultaneously. Yet despite this, they are equally as precise as Boulez, allowing for Cage's familiar prepared-piano innovations to expand the available range of sounds.

DOWNLOAD THIS Music for Piano 42; Music for Piano 4-19/53-68; Structures, Premier Livre