John Cage Essay - 4284 Words

John Cage Defined in the 1950s John Cage is considered by many to be the defining voice of avant-garde music throughout the 20th century. Fusing philosophy with composition, he reinvented the face of modern music, leading composer Arnold Schoenberg to declare, Of course hes not a composer, but hes an inventor -- of genius (Kostelanetz 6). For Cage, the 1950s brought a series of critical events that both refined his message as a composer and brought him great fame, or infamy to some. His interest in Eastern Zen philosophy blossomed throughout the early part of the decade, a subject that is actively pursued and reinforced in all of his following musical works. The 1950s also brought the revelation for Cage that sound is inherently†¦show more content†¦I received the highest grade in the class. That convinced me that the institution was not being run correctly. I left. (Cage, An Autobiographical Statement). Cage departed for Europe where he spent a year traveling and attempting to become a refined writer. It was here where he was first exposed to modern music and painting and had the idea that he could do these things just as well. He returned to California and began composing music with no formal training, lecturing on modern music and painting to housewives to earn money. When he needed a pianist to perform a Schoenberg piece that proved too technically difficult to perform himself, Cage attempted to enlist the help of concert pianist Richard Buhlig. Buhlig turned down the offer, yet offered to help the struggling Cage with his compositions. Buhlig, realizing his own composition skills were inadequate to assist Cage in any meaningful way, suggested to Cage that he go and study with Henry Cowell. Cowell, living in New York City, eventually led Cage back to California to study with world renowned composer, Arnold Schoenberg. At that time, legitimate classical music was divided between the great composers Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg, both of whom were residing in California and whom Cage could have studied with. Stravinsky composed in much the same classical tradition of the previous 200 years.Show MoreRelatedThe Music Of John Cage1172 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Cage lived a very interesting, non-traditional life that allowed him to form his outside of the box philosophy on music that questions the very definition of music. After exploring many different careers in the art world, he decided to compose music and through a winding, tumultuous road, he rose to the top of the classical music world. His life greatly influenced his music. His study of Buddhism and working with the choreographies of Merce Cunningham allowed Cage to discover the other sideRead MoreEssay John Cage1131 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Milton Cage Jr was born on September 5, 1912 to John Milton Cage and Lucretia (Crete) Harvey i n Las Angeles, California. Neither of John’s parents went to college (Inamori Foundation , 1990). However, his father was an inventor and his mother was the founder of the Lincoln Study Club and later became the editor of the Woman’s Club for the Los Angeles Times. John describes his mom as a â€Å"sense of society.† John went to Pamona College for two years when he realized that college was not forRead MoreJohn Cage - Music Of Silence992 Words   |  4 PagesJohn Cage – Music in Silence When the word music is heard, generally the first thing that comes to mind is how one would be able to relate to the piece. 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He simplyRead MoreJohn Milton Cage Jr. Essay737 Words   |  3 PagesJohn Milton Cage Jr. John Cage became famous for his unorthodox theories and very experimental compositions. He was an American composer born in Los Angeles on September 5, 1912. Neither of his parents went to college, and John himself dropped out after a mere two years in college. His father earned a living being an inventor. Cage credits his father, being an inventor, as very influential to the way in which he wrote music. John also considered himself as an innovator and discoverer in theRead MoreAnalysis Of John Cage s Song Books 1567 Words   |  7 PagesArefyeva Music History - Icons October 12, 2015 Prospectus John Cage - â€Å"Song Books† John Cage was born in 1912 in Los Angeles. His father was an inventor, and his mother worked as a journalist for the LA Times. Cage was first introduced to the piano music of the 19th century by his aunt; he began taking piano lessons in fourth grade. By the time he graduated from high school, he was convinced that he wanted to be a writer, and in 1928 Cage became a theology major in college. However, two years afterRead MoreJohn Cage Is The Epitome Of A Cutting Edge Composer1221 Words   |  5 PagesJohn cage is the epitome of a cutting edge composer. This is due to the fact that cage has achieved an appreciation for music which is unmatched by any other composer. Cage enjoys sounds because of their dynamics and their lengths, something other composers usually overlook. This gives him the advantage to compose music in a unique manner; he can make music that is unmatched by others. This is what undoubtedly makes him one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. One significantRead MoreJohn Cage s Theory Of Silence And Chance Operations1451 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the twentieth century, one composer in particular, John Cage, challenged the idea of music, sound, and art. Because of a distinct style and the utilization of innovative mechanisms, Cage proved to be one of the world’s most original composers. He took music into a new direction creating sounds and works that have never been performed before. Through his philosophy of silence and chance operations, John Cage distinguished the difference between sound and music; sounds possess the ability toRead MoreListening, By John Cage1535 Words   |  7 Pages John Cage Listening is ‘Not an attempt to understand something that is being said’ but ‘Just an attention to the activity of sounds’ In the variety of occasions we tend to listen in a different way and process the sounds that reach us in a different manner. Our main purpose can be to obtain information, engage in a conversation, or just enjoy the sounds we hear (Types of Listening). In the book ‘In Silence: Lectures and Writings’ John Cage argues that we hear mostly noise, which disturbs us whenRead MoreRobert Rauschenberg And John Cage1388 Words   |  6 Pagesmodern society to evolve itself in a new way. Many artists began to experiment and represent their works of newness to modern life in an innovative way. The significant artists who are innovating in their works are included Robert Rauschenberg and John Cage had expressed their response to the modern life through their works. This essay will examine how the artists demonstrate that the creation of the work can derive from the destroying convention through their visions in their works. Robert Rauschenberg