Composing for the piano in black and white

Some of the most beautiful music of the last two centuries has been written for the piano. George Benjamin sets out the challenges today's composers face while writing for this strange tuned percussion instrumentThe piano is a strange instrument. These great hulks of metal and wood still dominate millions of living rooms across the globe. Its appearance and sound are so familiar, from church hall to classroom, jazz club to theatre pit. Its basic design has not changed for more than 150 years, ye...

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