Andrew Kohn: Prelude to a Spectacle

Materials Includes performance notes and parts.  Instructions for a theatrical tableau: no playing involved. Performance Directions: Assemble the following items in the performance area: Piano along back of performance area. Fully raise the lid. Insert wedge to hold damper pedal down, as if for sympathetic resonance. Music stand with oversized piece of brown cardboard or plexiglass (to hold presumed oversized score). The score itself. Microphone for double bass. Plugged into large amplifier. Be sure to check the microphone. Stool for double bassist. Place it with exaggerated care. Later, remove it. Double bass. Music stand with ball-peen hammer, golf club (driver), and riding crop or whip. Music stand with two small fishbowls, each holding a betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish), with a large microphone suspended over them. Can use artificial fish. A large tam-tam. A laptop computer with power drained, attached to amplifer/speaker. When opened, it doesn’t start up. Drag a large oran