The Cage Project

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The Cage Project

Created by Paul Kildea and Matthias Schack-Arnott and performed by pianist Cédric Tiberghien, this collaboration augments Cage’s magnum opus, his Sonatas and Interludes, with a massive kinetic sound sculpture that floats above the piano and rings and chimes in synchronicity.

Australian percussionist, composer and sound artist Matthias Schack-Arnott collaborates with acclaimed pianist Cédric Tiberghien on John Cage’s magnum opus, his Sonatas and Interludes of 1948. Schack-Arnott is known for his unique approach to sound: he creates expansive sculptural musical worlds that are beautifully lit and dramatically staged. Here he brings his distinct voice to John Cage’s classic work for prepared piano, augmenting it with a massive kinetic sound sculpture that floats above the piano and rings and chimes in synchronicity. A pioneer in the development of percussion, Cage initiated the prepared piano as a means of giving the instrument a greater percussive quality. More than 70 years after its composition, the work is reimagined as a three-dimensional sculptural world, with Tiberghien’s exquisite playing at its heart.

The Cage Project has been co-commissioned by Musica Viva Australia, Perth Festival, Adelaide Festival, and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

Musica Viva Australia is grateful to Project Partners, The Nelson Meers Foundation, for supporting the performance of this work.

Premiering at Perth Festival, The Cage Project will be the first concert in our Perth subscription season and is only available as part of a Gold subscription. Single tickets for Perth are on sale through Perth Festival from 27 October. All tickets for Adelaide are on sale through Adelaide Festival from 9 November.

"Every aspect of The Cage Project expressed a deep sense of collaboration and mutual trust between Cédric Tiberghien and Matthias Schack-Arnott, as well as a shared love and understanding of Cage’s original work."

— Limelight

"Matthias Schack-Arnott’s work is as thought-provoking as it is beautiful"

— RealTime Arts

"Cédric Tiberghien is splendid at the piano; nimble yet robust, dreamy yet forthright"

— The Times (UK)

PAUL KILDEA AND MATTHIAS SCHACK-ARNOTT Original Concept
MATTHIAS SCHACK-ARNOTT Sculptural Design & Musical Treatment
CÉDRIC TIBERGHIEN Pianist and Musical Treatment
KEITH TUCKER Technical Design and Management, Lighting Design
NICK ROUX System Design and Robotics
MICHAELA COVENTRY (SAGE ARTS) Producer