Cage wrote his “Suite for Toy Piano” at Black Mountain College in North Carolina for Merce Cunningham's “Diversion”. Its five short movements use only nine consecutive white notes. As such it can ostensibly be played on virtually any toy piano, even one with painted black keys. One of the most charming and whimsical of his compositions, it is filled with Cagean irony and humor, as in the exaggerated dynamic extremes from sffz to ppp. As if a toy piano could have such capabilities! Nonetheless, the pianist tries his best and from the effort subtle differences emerge. I would like to dedicate this performance to Schroeder. - Margaret Leng Tan |
