preparations

[tish mukarji]

Hi Stephane,

I am very aware of the type of musicians that you are
referring to, but it has nothing to do with developing
new techniques but more to do with developing already
over sized egos. That is one thing. 

Going beyond the limits of an instrument : It is a
case of re imagining sonic possibilities of the
instrument. Technicians and composers/musicians alike
have been doing this for years although the former are
more knowledgeable and capable of making concrete
changes. In the history of the piano (and ofcourse you
will all know this) there have been countless changes
of design, use of new material, controversies.
Change and development only occurs when people imagine
and then realize new limits. The piano is a beautiful
instrument that has captured me for the past twenty
years, and I love it when a bass string resonates for
five minutes. By the way on a Bosendorfer you don't
need to touch the string just the pedal and touch the
key, the piano does the rest. Try listening to that,
the comparison to a cheap synthesizer makes me cringe
!! 
So in my view there is no separation or hierarchy
between those who can do and those who don't. They all
have a profound regard for the instrument,(ofcourse
there are exceptions) just different approaches. 
Best,
Tish

--- Stéphane Collin <collin.s at skynet.be> wrote:

> Hi Tish.
> 
> I do like (some) contemporary music.  But I must
> confess that I always have 
> the same reaction in this kind of situation, that
> is, when a composer or a 
> performer decides to go beyond the limits of an
> instrument.  Those soprano 
> singers who try their guts to get above that contra
> ut in Mozart's "Reine de 
> la Nuit", those fagott players who want to reach a
> note a semi tone above 
> the highest of Stravinsky's "Sacre du Printemps",
> those trumpet players who 
> develop insane self contentment when they pouèèèt
> higher than their 
> neigbourgh, those violin players who wouldn't come
> on a podium unless they 
> have a brand new way to make a brand new sound out
> of their instrument 
> (harmonics, flautando, armonicando, triturando,
> catastrophicando, etc.) and 
> yes, pianists who come with prepared pianos, they
> all make me think the same 
> thing : what is the very reason for doing so ?
> The only reason I see (sorry if I'm myop) is that it
> makes a clear 
> separation between those who can do it (the true
> heroes), and those who 
> can't (the average Joes, and yes, walk in the
> shadow).  Very basic and 
> primitive behaviour, methink.
> Yes, it is possible to get a bass note on a piano
> that lasts for 5 minutes, 
> attaching a nylon string to the bass string, and
> rubbing this nylon string 
> with fingers full of colophane.  You know how it
> sounds ? Like a cheap 
> synthesizer poorly programmed.
> If you want (need) other sounds, why not use the
> instruments dedicated to 
> those ?  And if you use a piano, why not explore the
> best that 200 years 
> tradition of technicians fully dedicated to piano
> culture have to offer ?
> First, think of it, then, answer.
> 
> Best regards.
> 
> Stéphane Collin.

> 
> 
> 

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