Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1961

Average_duration

:

90:24

Indeterminacy is a musical composition by John Cage, composed in 1959. The piece is a collection of 90 stories, each of which is exactly one minute long. The stories are read aloud by Cage while a musical accompaniment is played in the background. The music is not specifically written to match the stories, but rather is left up to chance operations to determine the timing and content of the music. The premiere of Indeterminacy took place on May 6, 1959, at the Living Theatre in New York City. The performance featured Cage reading the stories while David Tudor played the music. The piece was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and has since become a landmark work in the history of experimental music. The musical accompaniment for Indeterminacy is composed of a variety of sounds, including electronic tones, percussion instruments, and piano. The music is not meant to be a direct representation of the stories being read, but rather is intended to create a sonic environment that complements the text. The use of chance operations in the composition of the music means that each performance of Indeterminacy is unique, with no two performances being exactly the same. The stories themselves are a mix of personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and observations on the natural world. Cage's reading of the stories is deliberately monotone, with little inflection or emotion. This is intended to allow the listener to focus on the content of the stories rather than the delivery. Overall, Indeterminacy is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional notions of musical composition and performance. By incorporating chance operations and spoken word into the piece, Cage created a work that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

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