Richard Bunger Evans authored The Well-Prepared Piano, the authoritative source for John Cage's controversial multi-timbral piano invention. John Cage wrote the Foreward to this book.

As the first book to explain this "delicate topic," WPP shows how piano preparations can be safely applied to a piano without any damage whatsoever to the instrument, and without putting it out of tune. Materials and techniques are copiously described in text, drawings and photographs, along with a comprehensive list of repertoire for this instrument from Cage’s early works in the 1940’s through the last publication date of 1983.

The "WPP," as it is popularly known, is the first comprehensive explanation of this topic and explains all the piano-preparation principals and techniques a pianist needs to perform the prepared-piano music by Cage and other composers. Techniques throughout are illustrated with drawings by the author.

Bunger Evans made many recordings of works for prepared piano, starting with his first LP titled The Perilous Night and Other New Sounds in American Music, and continuing with an LP for Musical Heritage Society titled Prepared Piano: The First 40 Years, as well as a series of recordings of John Cage’s works authorized by Cage himself.

Although currently out of print, The Well-Prepared Piano is still sought after by libraries and pianists because it is the authoritative reference on all "extended piano resources." A limited number of copies are available through the author. See CATALOG page for purchase.