John Cage's Theatre Pieces: Notations and PerformancesThe experimental composer John Cage (1912-1992) is best known for his works in percussion, prepared piano, and electronic music, but he is also acknowledged to be one of the most significant figures in 20th century theatre. In Cage's work in theatre composition there is a blurring of the distinctions between music, dance, literature, art and everyday life. Here, William Fetterman examines the majority of those compositions by Cage which are audial as well as visual in content, beginning with his first work in this genre in 1952, and continuing through 1992. |
Contents
1 Early Compositions and Dance Accompaniments | 1 |
Early Variations on Chance Composed Theatre Pieces in Determinate Notation | 25 |
Variations in Complex Indeterminate Notation | 47 |
Variations on a Disciplined Action | 69 |
Variations on SmallGroup Simultaneities | 97 |
Variations on LargeGroup Simultaneities | 125 |
General Performances and Specific Solos | 149 |
The Final Theatre Pieces | 167 |
Appendix 1 John Cage on Teaching | 231 |
Appendix 2 John Cage on Theatre Piece | 234 |
Appendix 3 David Tudors 1960 Performance of Theatre Piece | 237 |
Appendix 4 Song Books Solos 9 61 and 87 in Performance | 243 |
Appendix 5 A Dialogue Score by John Cage | 248 |
Appendix 6 Frances Ott Allens Experiences of HPSCHD | 253 |
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