‘… but is he a pianist?’ Introducing Philip Zoubek

With Gareth Lubbe tonight, the Plushmusic Festival welcomes Philip Zoubek, a prepared pianist.

No, we don’t mean that he’s learned the notes. What notes? Philip, who was born in 1978 in Tulln, Austria, is Europe’s most notorious aural magician, capable of turning any humble piano into a combined drum kit, theramin, zoo and car accident.

Look, maybe it’s easier just to show you…

Starting with “traditional” preparation techniques a la Cage, Philip Zoubek has gone on to collect a wide arsenal of preparation materials, including aluminum pots, plastic utensils, glasses and mugs – and not a few celebrated collaborators, including Frank Gratkowski, Wilbert de Jood, and Thomas Lehn. Needless to say, we’re giving Zoubek the Yamaha: the Steinway is safely hidden behind a curtain.