A Man in a Room, Gambling

Studio 360

Who knew that a beautiful, evocative series of short musical pieces could be written about how to cheat at cards? Gavin Bryars and Spanish artist Juan Munoz collaborated on ten pieces of music they called A Man in a Room, Gambling. Lush strings accompany Munoz as he describes the manipulation of playing cards — dealing from the bottom of the pack, how to palm a card and more. Bryars explains why his music is like three-card monte. Produced by Ave Carrillo and Kerrie Hillman.

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