CLASSICAL MUSIC
Be very quiet
SP Somtow takes to the piano to play John Cage's groundbreaking
composition 'Silence' - with some help from the audience
Published on April 1, 2008
Conductor-composer Somtow Sucharitkul will make a rare appearance as a pianist performing works by John Cage on Saturday at the Pridi Banomyong Institute. Somtow will perform John Cage's notorious "4'33", also known as "Silence", which he first offered at his Asian Composers Expo in 1978. "Silence" - the numbered title represents its suggested length - was Cage's favourite composition. It was inspired by his visit to Harvard's anechoic chamber, which was designed to eliminate all sound. Instead of silence, Cage could hear his own blood pulse and the "high-pitched singing" of his nervous system. In the piece, the performer produces no sound, shifting the focus of the performance to the noises in the audience and beyond the concert hall. Other are Somtow's "One 2", a sound sculpture that uses up to four pianos, and Cage's "Suite for Toy Piano", which employs only nine white keys. It's a charming, though technically demanding work.
Xtra
Play it again, SP "Somtow Plays John Cage" is at 8pm on Saturday at the Pridi Banomyong Institute on Soi Thong Lor. Admission is Bt500, or Bt800 for VIP seating and Bt200 for students.
>> Call (02) 663 3236 or visit www.BangkokOpera.com.
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