In a Landscape

John Cage - In a Landscape

* originally posted on March 10, 2007

This is a collection of many of Cage's ambient keyboard works. The collection actually has a new age quality about it; many of the works are quiet and dreamy. The only exception is 'Bacchanale' (1938), which features Cage's prepared piano in a bouncy rhythm found in many of his dance pieces. Notable here is the debut recording of 'Souvenir' (1983), written for organ. It does have a church-like quality amid its dreaminess. Also notable is his famed 'Suite for Toy Piano' (1946); placed amid these other ambient works, it gives a new appreciation for this work. A nice collection by an excellent performer. (All Music Guide)

Note: Pieces were performed by Stephen Drury on this recording.

Tracklisting:

1. In a Landscape {9:47}

2. Music for Marcel Duchamp {6:08}

3. Souvenir {11:58}

4. A Valentine Out of Season {3:52}

5. Suite for Toy Piano {8:14}

6. Bacchanale {9:31}

7. Prelude for Meditation {1:06}

8. Dream {8:42}

(1) [maybe reposted soon]