Interlude for Amy
commission for Amy Williams, piano
University of Pennsylvania Performance
Mar 21, 2019 at 8:00pm - 10:00pm | University Lutheran
Bowerbird, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Department of Music, is pleased to present Amy Williams performing Sonatas and Interludes, John Cage’s groundbreaking cycle for prepared piano. The work was composed in 1946–48, shortly after Cage’s introduction to Indian philosophy and the teachings of art historian Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, both of which became major influences on the composer’s later work. Significantly more complex than his other works for prepared piano, Sonatas and Interludes is generally recognized as one of Cage’s most important compositions. The cycle consists of sixteen sonatas (thirteen of which are cast in binary form, the remaining three in ternary form) and four more freely structured interludes.Cage’s works will be interspersed with new interludes by Jay Alan Yim, Jeffrey Weeter, Robert Reinhart and Philly composers Adam Vidiksis and Kevin Laskey. The influence of Cage’s invention is still felt 70 years after the premiere and will be reflected in the new works using the same set of preparations. Pianist/composer Amy Williams will present this journey through the eight permanent emotions of Ancient Hindu aesthetics: the “white” emotions (heroic, erotic, mirthful and wondrous) and the “black” emotions (fear, anger, disgust, and sorrow). All lead to a state of transcendence and tranquility.
Co-presented with the University of Pennsylvania Department of Music.
https://music.sas.upenn.edu/music/events/john-cage-sonatas-and-interludes
Arizona State University Performance
Sonatas and Interludes . . . and Interludes
Amy Williams, prepared piano
Guest Artist Series
Katzin Concert Hall | February 9, 2020 | 2:30 pm
The groundbreaking Sonatas and Interludes by John Cage (1912-1992) is made up of 20 short pieces: 16 sonatas (structured in two-part or three-part forms) and 4 freely structured interludes. There are dozens of screws, bolts, pieces of rubber, coins, strips of plastic, that are inserted into the strings of the piano to create sounds that are reminiscent of percussion instruments (gongs, woodblocks, cymbals). The unique prepared sounds—sometimes combined with unprepared notes—create a breathtaking array of colors. The piece is literally an emotional journey— through the eight permanent emotions of Ancient Hindu aesthetics: the “white" emotions (the heroic, the erotic, the mirthful and the wondrous) and the “black” emotions (fear, anger, disgust, and sorrow). Today’s performance will be played on a set of preparations that John Cage himself approved of (it was given to Amy Williams by pianist Bennett Lerner).
Program
Sonatas 1–4 - John Cage (1912–1992)
inter luna - Joann Cho
Interlude 1 - John Cage
Sonatas 5–8 - John Cage
Interlude - Kevin Laskey
Interludes 2–3 - John Cage
Interlude - Adam Vidiksis
Sonatas 9–12 - John Cage
The Inevitable - Jeffrey Weeter
Interlude 4 - John Cage
Sonatas 13–16 - John Cage
https://asuevents.asu.edu/sites/default/files/feb-6-2020_amy-williams-piano_program.pdf
Melanin Vibes
“Interlude for Amy” was adapted as the music score for Melanin Vibes, a dance video choreographed by Cyrian Reed. More information about Melanin Vibes can be found here.
