TV Köln (1958)

For a solo pianist, though this also includes percussive noises, which I assume were produced by hitting the piano, a radio, and in the middle of the piece there's a short, quiet creaking/groaning sort of sound. The radio is also quiet and produces snatches of foreign voices. Overall, it's reminiscent of Water Music - TV Köln has similar instrumentation, a similarly sparse arrangement, and the same night-time atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to get much enjoyment out of this because it's so short: only 1'20", and really it's shorter than that since the last 20 seconds are silent. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly not bad: it has a nice mood and an interesting set of sounds, and at 1'20" it's hardly going to overstay its welcome. It all just seems rather inconsequential. It's a shame Cage didn't allow it to develop for a few more minutes... as it is, I'm left wondering what the point of it was (I guess the point was simply to make a few nice sounds, and to that extent I suppose it's successful).