Bernadette Speach on John Cage: In exchange for keeping [my] toy piano in his apartment, he agreed to be my dissertation reader. Through the following years he became my mentor and friend.
Chosen Voices (1991), dedicated to the memory of John Cage
Biography
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My toy piano, which was purchased from my aunt Rose Farone in Syracuse, New York, was my introduction to John Cage. Pianist Yvar Mikhashoff borrowed this toy piano to perform in a program of works by Mr. Cage in 1982 at Symphony Space in New York City. John Cage then "borrowed" this instrument for many years. In exchange for keeping the toy piano in his apartment, he agreed to be my dissertation reader. Through the following years he became my mentor and friend.
Chosen Voices (1991) for prepared guitar and toy piano Dedicated to the memory of John Cage Guitar - Jeffrey Schanzer Toy piano - Bernadette Speach
Available at Mode Records on Reflections Mode 105 performed on Speach's toy piano that "lived" in John Cage's apartment.
Biography
Bernadette Speach's work as a composer embraces a variety of styles, and includes solo, chamber and orchestral works. Her work has been played by numerous performers in venues across the world. Most recently, In and Out of Love – after Liaisonsand Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, was premiered by Anthony de Mare, pianist and Artistic Director of “Liaisons: Re-imagining Sondheim from the Piano”, at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which commissioned the work. Bernadette’s music is published by Kallisti Music Press, and has been recorded on Mode Records and includes Without Borders (Mode 16), Reflections (Mode 105) with The Arditti String Quartet. She has performed as pianist with her husband, guitarist Jeffrey Schanzer as the Schanzer/Speach Duo across the United States, in Puerto Rico, and in numerous venues inEurope. Their first CD, Dualities, was released on the Mode/Avant Label in 1992. Through her efforts as an administrator, fundraiser, board member, presenter and educator Bernadette continues to bring the work of a broad range of artists to audiences in the New York metropolitan area and beyond.