RE: tangentially OT: CAGE (file under loopinginfluences............LOL) arrangements of 4:33

["Emile Tobenfeld (a.k.a Dr. T)" <emile@foryourhead.com>]

At 10:30 AM -0500 1/18/03, dennis@mail.worldserver.com wrote:
>Thanks for the recommendations, Rick!
>
>Reading "Silence" was a pivotal point for me.  For me, too, Cage's
>"philosophy" is more influential than his music.  I especially appreciate
>how he encourages "new" music and approaches to composing/performing 
>WITHOUT
>putting down established methods.  "The more, the merrier." as he says.
>That attitude fosters such a positive, affirming, and creative approach.
>
>-----------
>
>:D
>I have an unreleased version of 4'33" built from time-lapsed recordings of
>overlapping silence.  It's awesome how the overdubs build, layer upon 
>layer,
>to a cataclysmic intensity of resounding nothingness.  It's actually 5
>minutes long so perhaps I should call it 4'33" (Extended Version).
>
>Perhaps we need to put together a 4'33" festival featuring different
>performances of this piece?  Such an undertaking requires superb 
>equipment,
>of course.  Just think of the PA and recording equipment necessary!
>
>Too much fun (and silliness) too early, I need more coffee.
>
>

I agree completely with both of these posts. Though some of my head 
arrangements for 4:33 do require equipment -- e.g., an arrangement in 
which a 'sportscaster' is narrating the performance, and building up 
excitement about whether the pianist would really be able to restrain 
him or her self from playing a note.,

A variant that comes to mind is that with about 30 seconds left, the 
pianist tosses a coin, heads he remains silent, tails she plays a 
huge block chord at the end.

There is also the lopping variant, in which someone saying the words 
"4 minutes, 33 seconds" is looped and improvised on for 4 minutes, 33 
seconds.

-- 
Happy 2003, only prime year of the decade!

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                Emile Tobenfeld, Ph. D.
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