It's that time again to write another article this one about another piano Concerto. It has one that has a lot of dissidents. It is very striking and striking is the word. Piano is usually meant as a striking percussion and string instrument all at once. Rightly so, since it is the perfect instrument for anger. Striking, banging, punching, is all the feeling that is needed. Composers like John Cage and lesser contemporaries are known for doing such techniques. It’s the classic angry artists coming back again. It's perfect her angry days like this. In fact I'm not far removed from writing angry music like this, especially when I’m so angry that I am likely to punch a wall. Sometimes, we all need a symphony or piece that sums up how angry we feel.
Well Souvenir by John Cage gives us the dissonance us angry people want. There is another similar composer that I studied in music history that was of Mexican or South American origin who used to pound his fists on the piano and create clusters and call that music. I forget the last name but I believe his first name was Edward. He was a precursor to the famous John Cage or perhaps a famous contemporary. Cage just took his eccentricity way out. Give me dissonance this day and I’ll be happy.
John Cage’s “Dream” certainly gives an odd view of hope but also provides beauty in the midst of heartbreak and discouragement. Cage may been dissonant and different than others but he certainly was a character. One can mistaken for having a voice and it’s a beautiful voice, even if we struggle to understand that. If you're in the mood for dissonant music that's all the more beautiful then this is probably the best music that you can look for to sooth your angry conscience. Take a listen to his collection on this site and see what you can draw from it.
