Musical instruments whose timbre has been altered by placing various objects (preparations) on or between the instrument's vibrating strings (or other sound source).

Audio

Evelyn Ficarra - Night Edge I

night edge for singer, dancer, flute and prepared piano
written by Evelyn Ficarra with collaborating improvisers Heather Frasch (flute), Aurora Josephson (voice), Myra Melford (piano) and dancer Paige Sorvillo. Commissioned by Shie Shoji for her group Shonorities.

This piece takes its starting point from a poem in the Tanka form (31 syllables) by medieval Japanese poet, Izumi Shikibu.

Project

Playing a round

Program note:
A few years ago, Jane Chapman and Kate Ryder of the duo keynote+ gave a memorable concert at CNMAT. Their combination of harpsichord and prepared piano created a strikingly unusual sound-world—and I thought, what a strange and interesting combination! Such noisy pitches! I grew excited thinking about all of the new possibilities for a piece.