Andrew Sullivan links to Kuyoshi Awazu’s recreation of his 1973 ‘Burning Piano’ performance. The recreation is entertaining I suppose, but the original version is somehow more compelling, and well worth the extra effort of clicking the included link approaching in this next sentence. Watch the whole 1973 film at Kiyoshi Awazu’s site.
At 6055 Ikuta, Kawasaki City ( old address ) where there used to be an open lot on a hill, a grand piano was set on fire. Pianist Yosuke Yamashita continued to play the burning piano……. Time has passed and the landscape has changed. Memories!
Performer: Yosuke Yamashita Recording: Akira Honma, Hideo Nishizaki
Well, ok! So, maybe it’s not profound, but it’s at least an original and fascinating concept performance. Recreation below:
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This sort of collision of aleatoric music and traditional composition reminds me a bit of Andy Goldsworthy’s artwork, or even John Cage’s music. Cage contemplated deeper questions with his compositions, most controversially with 4′33″. Cage’s work challenged the very definition of music, exploring the boundaries of sound in hopes of re-imagining the rudimentary elements of composition and overcoming the norms imposed by our cultural heritage (to poorly summarize a lifetime of achievement in one sentence). Likewise, Awazu’s performance captures some of that spontaneity and chaos so prevalent in Cage’s music, and even some of the beautiful urgency that distinguishes Goldsworthy’s artwork (I’m no art expert, Goldsworth is likely not the best example here). Ubuweb’s archival Cage footage thankfully sheds some light on what I’m speaking about. Video included ahead.
Four American Composers : John Cage (dir. Peter Greenway) via Ubuweb
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