The Music of John Cage

The first book to examine fully the work of John Cage, leading figure of the post-war musical avant-garde.

James Pritchett (Author)

9780521565448, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 March 1996

240 pages, 53 b/w illus.
24.6 x 17.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.421 kg

'Thus we find detailed and generally thorough, consideration of not just Cage's music and the techniques it employs but also the sources of the ideological standpoints from which the music is derived.' Music and Letters

Although John Cage has been almost universally recognised as the leading figure of the post-war musical avant-garde, this is the first book to present a complete and coherent picture of Cage the composer. Providing a historical account of Cage's musical concerns and changing style, James Pritchett describes just what it was Cage did and why and how he did it. The book is centred around extensive descriptions of the most important works and compositional techniques, including in-depth explanations of the role of chance and indeterminacy in Cage's music. Dr Pritchett also considers the relationship of Cage's musical thought to his interests in such diverse subjects as Eastern philosophy and religion, Marshall McLuhan, and anarchism (among many others). This book thus makes the essential introduction to Cage's musical world.

1. 'For more new sounds' (1933–1948)
2. 'To sober and quiet the mind...' (1946–1951)
3. 'Throwing sound into silence' (1951–1956)
4. Indeterminacy (1957–1961)
5. 'Music (not composition)' (1962–1969)
6. 'Joy and bewilderment' (1969–1992).

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH]