Sound Effects in Rzewski's The People United Will Never Be Defeated?

[gapoc459]

Hey all,

I just got this wonderful recording from Hamelin. Amazing stuff, but in some sections, it sounds clearly like there is some background sound effect, as if whistling, or something? Can anybody explain to me what this is?

Or am I delusional?

[p2u_]

in some sections, it sounds clearly like there is some background sound effect, as if whistling, or something? Can anybody explain to me what this is?

The score requires the pianist to whistle, slam the piano lid, etc., yes.

Paul

[j_menz]

The score requires the pianist to whistle, slam the piano lid, etc., yes.

*** wonders how long it will be before some composer expects us to dance and/or tells us what to wear.

[andreslr6]

*** wonders how long it will be before some composer expects us to dance and/or tells us what to wear.

I took master classes with Tomoko Honda, the pianist, on extended techniques, like playing on the strings and stuff like that. We worked on a piece by Crumb when she went to my school with a flutist, they gave classes for 1 week. She's a great teacher and a great pianist as well. The most creative teacher I've met in a master class, she always found another possibility or always exploring the "what if?s". But that video answers your question , not that I would do it though haha.

[j_menz]

Good grief! 

Some people should have their artistic license revoked.

[thalbergmad]

slam the piano lid, etc., yes.

A shame that this was not done at the beginning.

Thal

[austinarg]

*** wonders how long it will be before some composer expects us to dance and/or tells us what to wear.

Sometimes I fart and burp when playing. Ad lib, of course, so far I haven't found any composition that requires to do so.

[gapoc459]

The score requires the pianist to whistle, slam the piano lid, etc., yes.

Paul

That is seriously ridiculously cool.

Hamelin is probably my favorite living pianist. Not that he's the "best", but he's just so cool. The recording projects he embarks on are all fascinating, his technique is perfect, and overall, he's just awesome.