Klarinet Archive - Posting 000673.txt from 2001/09

From: SDSCHWAEG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Jeering about Cage
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 21:22:45 -0400

I've been fascinated with Cage since I was about 13, and read his book
"Silence" one summer (picked out at random from the music section of the
public library). I didn't know quite what to make of it then, and still
don't, I guess, but it certainly sparked a lot of challenging thoughts. When
I taught a general music class to junior high students, I used to include a
performance of a 1-minute "excerpt" from 4'33" as an introduction to
contemporary music. Ahead of time, I would recruit the biggest ham in the
class to perform the work, and give them a big introduction. The kid would
always play along famously, taking a bow before taking a seat at the piano,
staying absolutely motionless and quiet for exactly 60 seconds, and bowing
afterwards. The class reaction was always interesting - they were usually
confused, then uncomfortable with the extended silence. The discussions
afterwards were often the best we ever had, as we argued about whether the
piece was "music" or not.
Sue Schwaegler

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