Late in his life, the famed Italian pianist and composer Ferruccio Busoni felt so straightjacketed by the tonal system that he said one of the only viable method of escape was the invention of new sounds through electronic instruments.

What is it about the opening measures of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, or Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring that generates such intense musical magnetism? This week on Hammered! we explore how the starts of pieces impact the music that follows. 

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. But it must be asked: can someone play something—ANYTHING?—after, like, maybe 1910!?

Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring turns 100 on Wednesday! Was there a bolder, more influential work in the 20th century? On the days surrounding Q2 Music's Rite Of Spring Fever, Hammered! focuses in on Stravinsky's variegated piano output and covers his early, neo-Classical, and serial periods.

With all the richness, and pianistic splendor of last week behind us, the only suitable response involves music of clarity and sparseness. This week on the program we're balancing Aimard's high note-per-second repertoire with meditative, slow-moving, and delicate repertoire in conjunction with our Spring Fund Drive.

Few pianists have impacted contemporary music more profoundly than the Frenchman Pierre-Laurent Aimard. Hear his insights and performances of Ives, Ligeti and Messiaen all week on Hammered!