Re: conceptual art and improvisation/Abstract vs. concrete

["Miko Biffle" <Miko.Biffle@asml.com>]

> jimp@pobox.com 09/24/01 09:46AM
> i had a very similar experience with schoenberg. i have been greatly 
>influenced by his methodology, but i almost never listen to his 
>compositions... i think in this case it was the fact that i found the 
>abolition of tonal center to be somewhat tedious. not that there's 
>anything wrong with that... if that's your taste, times being what they 
>are...

>> I would agree 90% of the time except to say that John Cage and Brian 
>Eno have really inspired me with their writings far more than their 
>pieces of music (I truly enjoy about 1/10 of Cages' compositions and 
>maybe 1/3 of Eno's in this case. Cage's book 'Silence' really influenced 
>me, artistically as did every magazine article or anecdote about Eno's 
>career. yours,  Rick Walker (loop.pool)

Besides the overwhelming influence of 'Silence' by Cage, I found Henry 
Cowell's 'New Musical Resources' to be an amazing book. It's been years 
since I've had it around, but it left a huge impression on me. Less on the 
philosophical side than Cage, it has many great examples of contemporary 
compositional techniques and practices. I wonder if it's still in print 
anywhere? 

-Miko