Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

5:11

'Forever and Sunsmell' is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. The piece was composed in 1942 and premiered on May 16, 1942, at the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. The composition consists of four movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs," is a vocal piece that features a text by James Joyce. The vocalist sings the text while holding down the strings of a closed piano, creating a muted, percussive sound. The second movement, "In the Name of the Holocaust," is a solo piano piece that features a series of random notes and silences. The title of the movement refers to the atrocities committed during World War II. The third movement, "A Flower," is a vocal piece that features a text by Gertrude Stein. The vocalist sings the text while holding a flower in their mouth, creating a muffled, distorted sound. The final movement, "The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs" (reprise), is a repetition of the first movement, but with a different vocal interpretation. Overall, 'Forever and Sunsmell' is a prime example of Cage's experimental approach to music composition. The piece incorporates unconventional techniques and elements, such as the use of closed pianos and flowers in the mouth, to create a unique and thought-provoking musical experience.

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