Scholarly discussion of the music of John Cage.

[Miguel Frasconi <>]

Thanks for the reply, Stefano.

I am certainly familiar with the "quieting mind" quote from his pre-1950s work.

The one I'm thinking of (unless I've simply imagined it) was from the '80s and I believe it was in a more societal context. I thought it was from the Norton Lectures, but I can't seem to pin-point it.

best,

Miguel

http://frasconimusic.com

http://www.facebook.com/mfrasconi

http://www.youtube.com/wellweatheredmusic

On Sep 27, 2010, at 4:33 AM, Stefano Pocci wrote:

On 09/26/2010 10:07 PM, Miguel Frasconi wrote:

Hello list,

I remember reading, in one of Mr. Cage's later writings, something about the *use* of music. I cannot recall whether the context was cultural or personal, nor do I remember which of his writings it's from.

Does this sound at all familiar to anyone?

Thanks,

Miguel Frasconi

http://frasconimusic.com

http://www.facebook.com/mfrasconi

http://www.youtube.com/wellweatheredmu

Hi there, I think you mean this famous quotation:


"to sober and quiet the mind, thus rendering it susceptible to divine influences"


which I red in Richard Kostelanetz's book "Conversing with Cage" if I'm not mistaken. According to Wikipedia's page such a reason was suggested to him by Gita Sarabhai while studying Zen Buddism. That led Cage to compose the Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano by the way...


Your request made me smile because just few days ago I had seen an italian video document featuring Cage "teaching" at an elementary school in Italy. He explained to the teachers that if rumors and noises were accepted and included inside what they usually defined with the word "music" maybe our minds would have been less disturbed and confused. I guess it could be interpreted as a rephrasing of the above and more known quotation.

Hope this helps, cheers

-- 
Stefano

"Poor tools require better skills" - Marcel Duchamp