Scholarly discussion of the music of John Cage.

[Rob Haskins <>]

I think Bill is right—I need to re-read the essay, and may do this week.

On Mon, Apr 23, 2018 at 12:21 PM, AHF <> wrote:

I’m with Bill:

In paragraph two of the same text: 

“...one enters an anechoic chamber, as silent as technologically possible in 1951, to discover that one hears two sounds of one’s own unintentional making (nerves systematic operation, blood’s circulation)…”

(Bold text added)

This is the “see above” reference. The “unintentional making” must be the “automatic”, and the “minimum (see above) is two” is pretty obvious.

—

As an aside, I find the phrasing somewhat similar to Bucky Fuller’s definition: “Universe is complex and at minimum two”.

I can’t claim through research, or even dates, that there was influence in either direction. But I like the shared wording and ideas. Makes me happy.

Andrew

On Apr 23, 2018, at 10:57 AM, Brooks, William F <> wrote:

I’d suggest it’s much simpler: Cage earlier (p. 13) relates his anechoic chamber experience, in which he heard two sounds, one high and one low, in what was supposed to be a totally silent environment.

The sounds were generated by his body, he says. Thus, “getting up in the morning and discovering oneself musician”, the absolute minimum number of sounds one will encounter is two; it’s not possible to hear fewer.  

Bill

On Apr 23, 2018, at 08:57, Rod Stasick <> wrote:

My interpretation is pretty close to what David has said.
The “two” would be the event itself and one’s response
to the event - their reciprocal relationship.
The “tree falls in the forest” conundrum that doesn’t need to be one.

best to all,

Rod


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Rob Haskins, D.M.A., Ph.D.
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