John Cage

Opera, Composer

1912 – 1992

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Who was John Cage?

John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic 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″, which is performed in the absence of deliberate sound; musicians who present the work do nothing aside from being present for the duration specified by the title. The content of the composition is not "four minutes and 33 seconds of silence," as is sometimes assumed, but rather the sounds of the environment heard by the audience during performance. The work's challenge to assumed definitions about musicianship and musical experience made it a popular and controversial topic both in musicology and the broader aesthetics of art and performance. Cage was also a pioneer of the prepared piano, for which he wrote numerous dance-related works and a few concert pieces. The best known of these is Sonatas and Interludes.

Famous Quotes:

  • I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.

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Born
Sep 5, 1912
Los Angeles
Also known as
  • John Milton Cage
  • John Milton Cage Jr.
Parents
Spouses
Religion
  • Buddhism
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • Los Angeles High School
  • The New School
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • Pomona College
Employment
  • Black Mountain College
  • Wesleyan University
Died
Aug 12, 1992
New York City
Resting place
Ramapo Mountains

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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