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ETD Abstract Container

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A Performer's Guide to the Prepared Piano of John Cage: The 1930s to 1950s.

Jeong, Sejeong
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin155239910934567

Abstract Details

2019, DMA, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music: Piano.
John Cage is one of the most prominent American avant-garde composers of the twentieth century. As the first true pioneer of the "prepared piano," Cage's works challenge pianists with unconventional performance practices. In addition, his extended compositional techniques, such as chance operation and graphic notation, can be demanding for performers. The purpose of this study is to provide a performer's guide for four prepared piano works from different points in the composer's career: Bacchanale (1938), The Perilous Night (1944), 34'46.776" and 31'57.9864" For a Pianist (1954). This document will detail the concept of the prepared piano as defined by Cage and suggest an approach to these prepared piano works from the perspective of a performer. This document will examine Cage's musical and philosophical influences from the 1930s to 1950s and identify the relationship between his own musical philosophy and prepared piano works. The study will also cover challenges and performance issues of prepared piano and will provide suggestions and solutions through performance interpretations. By understanding how playing the prepared piano is different from conventional performance, pianists will enhance their musical and intellectual interpretations of these works.
Jeongwon Joe, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Awadagin K.A. Pratt, A.D. (Committee Member)
Christopher Segall, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
99 p.
Performing Arts
john cage; prepared piano; performance practice

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jeong, S. (2019). A Performer's Guide to the Prepared Piano of John Cage: The 1930s to 1950s. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin155239910934567

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jeong, Sejeong. A Performer's Guide to the Prepared Piano of John Cage: The 1930s to 1950s. 2019. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin155239910934567.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jeong, Sejeong. "A Performer's Guide to the Prepared Piano of John Cage: The 1930s to 1950s." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin155239910934567

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin155239910934567
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.