It depends how long your arms are. For me I can do it with both arms, hands touching in the middle. You know where the bottom A is (because there aren't any notes lower than that on a normal piano), so keep your eye on the right elbow so that it doesn't go higher than the treble E.
"Amiable Conversation" is just so hilarious. It really does depict conversation in some foreign language - over the din of rumbling washers and dryers at the corner laundromat!
Somehow sheet music for a song like this just feels wrong... I mean, maybe it's just me, but it seems like playing this piece note for note would utterly ruin the sense of incredible spontaneity and experimentation that it has deep inside.
Probably both forearms or one forearm and the flat of the hand. I've never tried playing this, but I imagine in order to outline the melodic descent of the outer tones, one needs to use the knuckles.
It's a good question, and maybe someone else has a better answer about how a performer plays the outer tones with precision.
The essence of this type of note cluster is that it *isn't* meant to be played with precision. Avant-garde music, such as this, has as its goal the destruction of all elements of the Western Art tradition. Compare it to Duchamp's famous urinal - this is art designed to challenge your very concept of art!
@magdluke I wouldn't say this eliminates all elements of traditional music. There are obviously rythmical patterns even motifs, and repetition plays important part. I would say there is even a melody there, only played in clusters.That's what makes this so interesting. You suspend one element (tonality in this case) and leave the others. That is refreshening. But if all traditional elements of music were to be abandoned, one could let a monkey bang the piano and call it art. Some do it, I know.
@magdluke I don't agree that the goal of this piece is to destroy all elements of western art, nor do I think it is a meta-gesture questioning what art itself is. It is an example of art, and of western art at that. I grant you the tone cluster would seem a violent gesture with which to make music on such a fine instrument. But The piano of all instruments is made for this gesture more than any other, and this sound.
I play the piano and this makes me wet myself in fear that I might play this someday.
spacegoat4ever 2 months ago
I'm clusterphobic.
PAGANlNl 4 months ago 5
Good performance over all. But i think he may have hit a couple of wrong notes.
mcbainst 5 months ago 2
Could you please tell me who the pianist is? It is interesting to hear the differences between theses versions and Cowell's own performances.
gorpart9109 7 months ago
I laughed my head off at the subtitles hahaahhaha XDDD
1. What's This
2. An Amiable Conversation
3. Advertisement
4. Antinomy
AkLvKk 8 months ago
It depends how long your arms are. For me I can do it with both arms, hands touching in the middle. You know where the bottom A is (because there aren't any notes lower than that on a normal piano), so keep your eye on the right elbow so that it doesn't go higher than the treble E.
Free Cluster Advice!!~
philiphoward123 8 months ago
this is amazing
if you like this you might like
gabriel williams - dancing with the schizophrenic
chiledofthekorn 10 months ago
"Amiable Conversation" is just so hilarious. It really does depict conversation in some foreign language - over the din of rumbling washers and dryers at the corner laundromat!
HomelyCooking 11 months ago
putting a bach melody in this.. would sound terrible!
jessegguitar 11 months ago
Somehow sheet music for a song like this just feels wrong... I mean, maybe it's just me, but it seems like playing this piece note for note would utterly ruin the sense of incredible spontaneity and experimentation that it has deep inside.
DravenX53 1 year ago
HENRY COWELL MEETS FRED FRITH,OF COURSE !
ksjoyjespeace 1 year ago
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MiguelKertsman 1 year ago
Before playing this, it is advisable not only to crack the fingers but also the forearms.
fremsley001 1 year ago 4
yes i agree this is truely amazing, however i do believe jay z is slightly better
jamldhino 2 years ago
This is just incredible. I'm with Barnoldormort: it's just laughable to think about trying to learn it.
maryannmvu 2 years ago
The end part of the presto near the beginning of "what's this" reminds of Sorabji's opus Clavi :)
Lukecash12 2 years ago
What do the x's over some of the notes mean?
Ltlevim 2 years ago
I would just laugh if someone asked me to learn this for them.
this is just beyond words.
Barnaldomort 2 years ago
Can you explain to me how, at the end, he manages to paly all those notes?
DarkRaimundo 2 years ago
You may want to give a timestamp for reference. Do you mean around 6:36 ?
Hexameron 2 years ago
Yes.
Does he use his whole forearm?
Or does he use his legs?
These may be stupid suggestions, but I'm really curious
DarkRaimundo 2 years ago
Probably both forearms or one forearm and the flat of the hand. I've never tried playing this, but I imagine in order to outline the melodic descent of the outer tones, one needs to use the knuckles.
It's a good question, and maybe someone else has a better answer about how a performer plays the outer tones with precision.
Hexameron 2 years ago
With luck.
John11inch 2 years ago
I think I once read with a wooden plank.
Sesquiltera 2 years ago
The essence of this type of note cluster is that it *isn't* meant to be played with precision. Avant-garde music, such as this, has as its goal the destruction of all elements of the Western Art tradition. Compare it to Duchamp's famous urinal - this is art designed to challenge your very concept of art!
magdluke 1 year ago
@magdluke I wouldn't say this eliminates all elements of traditional music. There are obviously rythmical patterns even motifs, and repetition plays important part. I would say there is even a melody there, only played in clusters.That's what makes this so interesting. You suspend one element (tonality in this case) and leave the others. That is refreshening. But if all traditional elements of music were to be abandoned, one could let a monkey bang the piano and call it art. Some do it, I know.
dragmio 1 year ago
@magdluke I don't agree that the goal of this piece is to destroy all elements of western art, nor do I think it is a meta-gesture questioning what art itself is. It is an example of art, and of western art at that. I grant you the tone cluster would seem a violent gesture with which to make music on such a fine instrument. But The piano of all instruments is made for this gesture more than any other, and this sound.
nobodady1 1 year ago
Amazing!
DarkRaimundo 2 years ago
fantastico!!!
mil grazie!
SCOREdom 2 years ago
From 1:40 to 2:08 what a great use of dissonance!!!
MagicDonDino 2 years ago