Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

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Character Piece

Compose Date

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Nov 1942

Average_duration

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3:18

"And the Earth Shall Bear Again" is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. The piece was composed in 1942 and premiered on May 15, 1942, at the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. The composition consists of four movements, each of which is characterized by a different instrumentation and approach to sound. The first movement features a solo piano, which is played in a percussive and rhythmic manner. The second movement is scored for a small ensemble of percussion instruments, including gongs, cymbals, and drums. The third movement features a solo voice, which sings a text that is derived from the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text. The final movement is scored for a larger ensemble, which includes strings, winds, and percussion instruments. One of the most notable characteristics of "And the Earth Shall Bear Again" is its use of chance operations in the composition process. Cage was a pioneer of using chance operations, such as the I Ching, to determine various aspects of his compositions, including the order of musical events and the selection of pitches and rhythms. This approach to composition was part of Cage's larger philosophy of embracing the unpredictability and randomness of the world. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of non-traditional sounds and techniques. Cage was known for incorporating unconventional sounds and techniques into his compositions, such as prepared piano (where objects are placed on the strings of the piano to alter the sound), and extended techniques for percussion instruments. Overall, "And the Earth Shall Bear Again" is a significant work in the development of experimental music in the 20th century. Its use of chance operations and non-traditional sounds and techniques helped to expand the possibilities of what could be considered music, and influenced generations of composers to come.

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