Latest News
“A Big Piece with a Quiet Voice” — Celebrating the John Cage Centennial in 2012
Posted April 12, 2012 7:19 pm
In 2012, Eliza Garth celebrates the centennial of John Cage with multiple performances of his masterpiece for prepared piano, Sonatas and Interludes.
Described by the writer James Pritchett as “a big piece with a quiet voice,” Sonatas and Interludes is meditative in its esthetic; the “preparation” of the piano transforms its sound into an ensemble of gongs, chimes, and magical effects. Although Cage did not invent the instrument he named the “prepared piano,” he was a major force behind its development and is often associated with it.
An explorer at heart, John Cage studied with trailblazers (including Henry Cowell and Arnold Schoenberg), and then in turn paved the way for trailblazers, opening up musical pathways that would later be traveled and extended by minimalist composers. In his mature years a disciple of Buddhism, he overturned conventional Western conceptions of the nature of sound and music. He is generally regarded to be one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
Ms. Garth’s appearances performing Sonatas and Interludes include New York City, Chicago, the University of Maryland College Park, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Lorain County (Ohio) Community College, and other venues. Watch “Upcoming Events” for details.
Curious about the prepared piano? Listen to an excerpt here.
Celebrating John Cage with a.pe.ri.od.ic and the Floating World Gallery in Chicago
Posted April 11, 2012 8:19 pm
Ms. Garth performed Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes at Chicago’s prestigious Floating World Gallery on March 31, as a preview concert for a.pe.ri.od.ic presents A JOHN CAGE FESTIVAL.
* See the advance press in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Reader.
• About Floating World Gallery.
• About a.pe.ri.od.ic presents A JOHN CAGE FESTIVAL.
• See the press release (PDF).
Celebrating John Cage with the League of Composers/ISCM in New York City
Posted April 10, 2012 4:35 pm
Ms. Garth started the John Cage centennial year with a performance of Cage’s masterpiece for prepared piano, Sonatas and Interludes, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York City on Sunday, January 29, on the concert series of the League of Composers/ISCM.
• See the advance press in Time Out New York, High Score New Music, and The Rest is Noise.
• See the review in Feast of Music.
• About the League of Composers/ISCM.
• See the press release (PDF).
World Premiere of “The Enchanted Piano”
Posted October 25, 2011 1:08 pm
On October 21 and 22, Eliza Garth partnered with choreographer James Martin and dancers Traci Klein, Julie McMillan, Stevie Oakes, Kristen Schwab, Jaclyn K. Walsh in the world premiere performances of The Enchanted Piano: Dances for Piano with Electronics, Piano Strings, and Amplified Piano, at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in New York City. The performances drew capacity audiences both nights.
Featured works in The Enchanted Piano are by celebrated American composers, each a pioneer in his own time: Aeolian Harp and Fleetingby Henry Cowell; Eine Kleine Mitternachtmusik by George Crumb; Synchronisms No. 6 by Mario Davidovsky; and Chamber Symphony by Maurice Wright.
See press notices about The Enchanted Piano
“The Enchanted Piano” at White Mountain Summer Dance Festival
Posted July 29, 2011 11:03 pm
In preparation for the world premiere performances in Manhattan this coming October, Eliza Garth and choreographer James Martin presented “The Enchanted Piano” at the White Mountain Summer Dance Festival at Sarah Lawrence College on July 25, with dancers Traci Klein, Julie McMillan, Kristin Schwab, Stevie Oakes, and Jacklyn Walsh.
Bartok Third Piano Concerto at the River Concerts
Posted July 19, 2011 12:34 am
On June 17, 2011, Eliza Garth appeared on the River Concert Series in a performance of Bartok’s Third Piano Concerto with the Chesapeake Orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Silberschlag.
Consortium commission of a new solo piano work by James Primosch
Posted July 18, 2011 1:00 am
Eliza Garth has joined a consortium commission of a new solo piano work by James Primosch, scheduled for completion in March of 2012. The other pianists in the consortium are Geoffrey Burleson, Judith Gordon, Stephen Gosling, Aleck Karis, Catherine Kautsky, Ryan McCollough, Eric Moe, Christopher Oldfather, Linda Reichert, and James Winn.
“Music for a Summer Evening” in Merkin Concert Hall, NYC, and at the Alba (Italy) Music Festival
Posted July 17, 2011 12:10 am
On March 23, 2010, pianists Eliza Garth and Brian Ganz partnered with percussionists Jonathan Haas and Sean Statser in Bartok’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion and George Crumb’s Music for a Summer Evening in Merkin Concert Hall in Manhattan, with sponsorship from the League of Composers/ISCM. See the New York Times review. The group was invited to repeat the Crumb work at the Alba (Italy) Music Festival in May of 2010. See photos.
Upcoming Events
Featured Recording
Donald Martino: Solo Piano Music
Eliza Garth performs Pianississimo, Fantasies and Impromptus, and Suite in Old Form by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Donald Martino.
Ms. Garth’s critically acclaimed debut solo CD, this was the first recording ever devoted entirely to Martino’s piano music. Released by Centaur Records, Inc. (Centaur #2173) and available through digital download from Amazon and iTunes. Hear a soundbite.
The companion recording is Centaur #2321. See press excerpts.