Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

4:44

Eight Whiskus, for solo voice, is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. The piece was composed in 1984 and premiered on October 20, 1985, at the University of California, San Diego. The composition consists of eight movements, each of which is based on a different text. The texts are taken from various sources, including the writings of Henry David Thoreau, James Joyce, and Cage himself. The movements are titled "Whiskus One" through "Whiskus Eight," and each movement is characterized by a different vocal technique. The first movement, "Whiskus One," is characterized by a series of short, staccato sounds, which are produced by the vocalist using a technique called "plosive consonants." The second movement, "Whiskus Two," features a series of long, sustained notes, which are produced using a technique called "breath control." The third movement, "Whiskus Three," is characterized by a series of glissandos, which are produced by sliding the voice up and down in pitch. The fourth movement, "Whiskus Four," features a series of whispered sounds, which are produced using a technique called "whispered phonation." The fifth movement, "Whiskus Five," is characterized by a series of guttural sounds, which are produced using a technique called "glottal stops." The sixth movement, "Whiskus Six," features a series of nasal sounds, which are produced by resonating the voice in the nasal cavity. The seventh movement, "Whiskus Seven," is characterized by a series of clicks and pops, which are produced using a technique called "click consonants." The final movement, "Whiskus Eight," features a series of vocalizations that are produced using a technique called "vocal fry." Overall, Eight Whiskus, for solo voice, is a challenging and experimental composition that showcases Cage's interest in exploring the limits of vocal expression. The piece requires a skilled vocalist who is able to master a variety of vocal techniques and produce a wide range of sounds.

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