Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1958

Average_duration

:

9:56

John Cage's 'Aria' is a composition for solo voice and electronics, composed in 1958. It premiered on May 16, 1958, at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, performed by the American soprano Cathy Berberian, for whom the piece was written. The composition consists of 90 short sections, or "mesostics," each of which is based on a phrase from a poem by e.e. cummings. The mesostics are arranged in a particular order, determined by chance operations using the I Ching, a Chinese divination text. The performer is instructed to sing each mesostic in a different style, ranging from operatic to spoken word, and to use a variety of vocal techniques, such as glissandi, whispers, and shouts. The electronics component of the piece consists of pre-recorded sounds, including a recording of Berberian's voice, which are played back through loudspeakers. The performer is instructed to interact with these sounds, either by singing along with them or by creating contrasting sounds. The overall effect of 'Aria' is one of fragmentation and unpredictability. The mesostics are often disconnected from one another, and the performer's vocalizations are frequently interrupted by the electronic sounds. The piece is also notable for its use of chance operations, which were a hallmark of Cage's compositional style. Despite its experimental nature, 'Aria' has become one of Cage's most popular works, and it has been performed by numerous singers since its premiere. Its influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers, particularly those who work with electronic and vocal music.

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