Born this day, 1912: John Cage. Please turn off your cellphones to enjoy this presentation of 4'33".

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Of course someone in the audience has to cough. Typical.

Hat tip, http://www.thisdayinrock.com/

[jberryhill]

1. The studio version was better

But only on vinyl with an analog amplifier.

[tymorial]

2. There can be no studio version

The music comes from the venue and audience.

[PJMcK]

3. I think that was a joke from Mr. Berryhill

When I was in music school, I asked my primary professor if I could perform this piece at a recital. He just stared at me for what seemed like, I don't know, 4 and a half minutes or so.

[tymorial]

6. I know :)

I will add that I played sonata v from the prepared piano suite while an undergrad. That was so much fun. Hearing a prepared piano in person is such a different experience. Cage was so interesting. That being said Crumb takes the cake when it comes to "interesting"

[PJMcK]

11. Crumb!

I love when he writes musical staves in circles! His music does sound great, though.

[tymorial]

12. Sounds great? Lol. Well... if you are an insect then yes!

Seriously, his work is definitely thought provoking.

[Hotler]

14. Oh God!........ nt

[SCantiGOP]

16. I'd rate it a 9

Had a good beat, you could dance to it.

[PJMcK]

4. I have it on 8-track

Alas, I no longer have a car with a player.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Belt drive turntable, please, and not direct drive. NT

[tymorial]

5. The cough is part of the performance.

The performer(s) were each and every person in that hall, the sounds from lighting and audio equipment. Everything in that space contributed to the experience and as such performed the work

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. I feel so embarrassed. Thank you for the enlightening commentary. NT

[tymorial]

10. Why are you embarrassed?

You shouldnt be. Many people dont understand what Cage was trying to accomplish with that piece. He was an interesting person.

[fierywoman]

9. I've performed his "59-1/2 seconds for a string player."

(It was a big hit with the avante-guarde artist community in Mexico City in the early 80's!)
Graphic notation on large paper with two (couldn't-help-but-be) noisy page turns during the 59-1/2 seconds.

Blessings to you wherever you are, John Cage.

Because of his comments about cooking and being a vegetarian, I also figured out how to make bread using cooked whole grains in the dough (that was a big hit in the backstage at Teatro La Fenice community in the 80's!)

[malthaussen]

13. One of my favorites. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. My college presented a concert in which that piece was performed

along with some other oddball music, including Erik Satie's "Vexations." IIRC, we did the whole thing. It's an extremely annoying piece of music and it takes over nine hours to play it. People just wandered in and out.