The Inevitable, Interlude for Prepared Piano

commissioned and performed by Amy Williams, 2018.

This commission from Dr Amy Williams, an expert in prepared piano at University of Pittsburgh, for an interlude, The Inevitable, has been performed nearly 20 times across the USA. The work has been performed alongside the revered Sonatas and Interludes by John Cage in prestigious clubs (Constellation, Chicago and Bowerbird Theatre, Philadelphia) and on the concert stage of the New Music Festival at California State University, Fullerton amongst others. The work was a breakthrough for me compositionally and was very well received. From the positive experience of this initial collaboration, I applied for an Arts Council Music Bursary Award in 2022. The Music Bursary Award (circa €16,000) was awarded for development of music compositions for prepared piano and electronics. The award will enable me to work with Dr Williams again along with her unique set of original piano preparations made by composer John Cage. In 2023, travelled to Pittsburgh to work with Dr. Williams and will also be able to fund a visit from Dr. Williams to UCC. The composed works are expected to be performed numerous of times on concert tours and to be recorded as a companion piece to John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes.