Crossings invites the public to a free concert at the State Theatre featuring pianist David Shaffer-Gottschalk performing “Sonatas and Interludes” for prepared piano by John Cage
Shaffer-Gottschalk holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado and was Professor of Music at Virginia State University from 1992-2013. He now lives in Rochester, where he teaches, coaches piano to students and teacher-colleagues, and performs.
For his appearance in Zumbrota, Shaffer-Gottschalk will offer a different look at the classical repertoire by performing John Cage’s complete “Sonatas and Interludes” for prepared piano. Prepared piano is a piano altered by placing objects between the strings. The performer plays the piano normally, but the preparations transform it into an instrument resembling an Asian percussion ensemble. The result is both pleasant and powerful.
Cage first developed the prepared piano around 1940. “Sonatas and Interludes,” written between 1946 and 1948, is his largest solo work for the prepared piano and regarded as one of Cage’s finest works. The composer was influenced by Indian philosophy and wrote the cycle as an expression of emotions of the rasa Indian tradition. Shaffer-Gottschalk first performed the work in 1992.
The public is invited to observe the preparation of the piano prior to the concert. Preparation will begin at 4 p.m. at the State Theatre on May 7. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions after the concert.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.