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Yes, John Cage is probably the most well-known "avant-garde" composer. Calling music by this term communicates a powerful judgment about its place in musical h

Yes, John Cage is probably the most well-known "avant-garde" composer. Calling music by this term communicates a powerful judgment about its place in musical history. And it is simply, unavoidably incorrect. It has nothing to do with the music itself - it has to do with his musical process and how it jives with the basic musical environment of his time. If the whole musical world were like John Cage, Philip Glass's works would definitely be avant-garde. But because the musical world is a lot more like Philip Glass, using the word "avant-garde" to describe his contributions is simply untrue.

easytiger 6y ago
Yes indeed. A lady playing a cactus was the point at which we decided to take our leave, around the 3 hour mark. I struggled and read a lot to understand the foundations of modern art. I found a lot of the intellectual constructions very unconvincing contrivances. I imagine I'd feel the same way about such compositions; an area in which I am certainly a neophyte
- rolfea 6y ago
  maybe you've come across it, but Silverman's biography does a good job tracing how Cage came to a lot of his compositional convictions. I don't think it would convince you to enjoy his work, but I found it to be a really good read, regardless! https://www.amazon.com/Begin-Again-Biography-John-Cage/dp/0810128306/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=john+cage&qid=1607448100&s=books&sr=1-17 https://www.amazon.com/Begin-Again-Biography-John-Cage/dp/08...
- kaybe 6y ago
  May I ask, how does one play a cactus?
  - ratww 6y ago
    Put a microphone in/close to it. Either a contact microphone or a regular one. Strike the thorns (spines?), bow it with a violin bow, drag your fingers on it. Apply electronic effects to taste. Here's an Unplugged version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjwEmzxy_w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjwEmzxy_w
  - rolfea 6y ago
    here's the man himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLQSjzt3vnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLQSjzt3vnY

easytiger 6y ago

Yes indeed. A lady playing a cactus was the point at which we decided to take our leave, around the 3 hour mark. I struggled and read a lot to understand the foundations of modern art. I found a lot of the intellectual constructions very unconvincing contrivances. I imagine I'd feel the same way about such compositions; an area in which I am certainly a neophyte

rolfea 6y ago
maybe you've come across it, but Silverman's biography does a good job tracing how Cage came to a lot of his compositional convictions. I don't think it would convince you to enjoy his work, but I found it to be a really good read, regardless! https://www.amazon.com/Begin-Again-Biography-John-Cage/dp/0810128306/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=john+cage&qid=1607448100&s=books&sr=1-17 https://www.amazon.com/Begin-Again-Biography-John-Cage/dp/08...
kaybe 6y ago
May I ask, how does one play a cactus?
- ratww 6y ago
  Put a microphone in/close to it. Either a contact microphone or a regular one. Strike the thorns (spines?), bow it with a violin bow, drag your fingers on it. Apply electronic effects to taste. Here's an Unplugged version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjwEmzxy_w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVjwEmzxy_w
- rolfea 6y ago
  here's the man himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLQSjzt3vnY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLQSjzt3vnY