John Milton Cage Jr. (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was an American … Read Full Bio ↴John Milton Cage Jr. (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was an American composer, philosopher, poet, music theorist, artist, printmaker, and amateur mycologist and mushroom collector. A pioneer of chance music, electronic music and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde. Critics have lauded him as one of the most influential American composers of the 20th century. He was also instrumental in the development of modern dance, mostly through his association with choreographer Merce Cunningham, who was also Cage's romantic partner for most of their lives.
Cage is perhaps best known for his 1952 composition 4′33″, the three movements of which are performed without a single note being played. The content of the composition is meant to be perceived as the sounds of the environment that the listeners hear while it is performed, rather than merely as four minutes and thirty three seconds of silence, and the piece became one of the most controversial compositions of the twentieth century. Another famous creation of Cage's is the prepared piano (a piano with its sound altered by placing various objects in the strings), for which he wrote numerous dance-related works and a few concert pieces, the best known of which is Sonatas and Interludes (1946–48).
His teachers included Henry Cowell (1933) and Arnold Schoenberg (1933–35), both known for their radical innovations in music and coincidentally their shared love of mushrooms, but Cage's major influences lay in various Eastern cultures. Through his studies of Indian philosophy and Zen Buddhism in the late 1940s, Cage came to the idea of chance-controlled music, which he started composing in 1951. The I Ching, an ancient Chinese classic text on changing events, became Cage's standard composition tool for the rest of his life. In a 1957 lecture, Experimental Music, he described music as "a purposeless play" which is "an affirmation of life – not an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we're living".
Cage is perhaps best known for his 1952 composition 4′33″, the three movements of which are performed without a single note being played. The content of the composition is meant to be perceived as the sounds of the environment that the listeners hear while it is performed, rather than merely as four minutes and thirty three seconds of silence, and the piece became one of the most controversial compositions of the twentieth century. Another famous creation of Cage's is the prepared piano (a piano with its sound altered by placing various objects in the strings), for which he wrote numerous dance-related works and a few concert pieces, the best known of which is Sonatas and Interludes (1946–48).
His teachers included Henry Cowell (1933) and Arnold Schoenberg (1933–35), both known for their radical innovations in music and coincidentally their shared love of mushrooms, but Cage's major influences lay in various Eastern cultures. Through his studies of Indian philosophy and Zen Buddhism in the late 1940s, Cage came to the idea of chance-controlled music, which he started composing in 1951. The I Ching, an ancient Chinese classic text on changing events, became Cage's standard composition tool for the rest of his life. In a 1957 lecture, Experimental Music, he described music as "a purposeless play" which is "an affirmation of life – not an attempt to bring order out of chaos nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply a way of waking up to the very life we're living".
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John Cage Lyrics
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The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
Ian MacReth
On 1976 I attended the 80th birthday celebration of Roger Sessions at Columbia. I was flabbergasted when Mr. Cage sat down right next to me with a friend. It was right before Harvey Sollberger began a piece and I told him that I loved his work. He shook my hand and asked which one I liked best; I said something like, "Normally, your sonatas for prepared piano, but under the circumstances, 4'33." He put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Later in the intermission I shook hands with Aaron Copeland. It was quite the night!
chosetalis
Esta obra, a mi juicio, contiene la síntesis entre la nostalgia de lo pasado con lo incierto del futuro después de los hechos del s.XX. Dicho esto, es una obra que expresa vivamente nuestro presente. Hay q escucharla con mente abierta, fuera de prejuicios "anti-vanguardistas". Solo así se podrá comprender la obra maestra es.
Chance Wilson
its quite beautiful. and gives you an unexpected smile when a sweet note is turned into a split second "BEH!" of a muffled string. awesome =D
conversegrlsgonewild
I think this is my favorite sonata by Cage :) I just think that it's fascinating that so much timbre can come out from a piano just by inserting a eraser, nail, etc. I tried inserting some objects on the strings before, and I just think its remarkable.
starofcctv94
When I was at school I accidentally knock some pencils and pens into the piano, when I played it, it made the piano sound a bit like a harpsichord. I wondered if anyone had ever thought to do something like that. I asked my music teacher and he redirected me to this. Turns out I was beaten by about 40 years to coming up with the idea :(
aperionprojec
This music, like all of Cage's prepared piano music, isn't "outlandish" or anything like that imo. In a way, its a simple analogue synthesizer. Also, his sense of rhythm is impeccable, which is usually missed and glossed over by those who don't like Cage and are committed to pontificating about his work. New timbres from a common instrument, ingenious I say.
Paul Evans
The notes that aren't prepared sound very bright. I love John Cage's work. This must have taken some time to prepare the piano. It sounds great.
Evan Palumbo
I didn't think I was going to like this but I love it. I want this to be one of my recital pieces for school... I just hope they'll let me put what I need into our Steinway...
Beth Jay
I have to study sonatas 1 to 3 for my A level exam. Must say, I prefer this one to the 3 I have to study. Nice to know the piano can do much more than just play the notes as they are given.
the clarinetjo odds and ends
fascinating how Cage uses the Scarlatti's sonata form. the first chord in itself is awesome ! thanks !