The repertoire of American composer James Tenney (1934-2006) is among the most diverse and stimulating in experimental music.
He studied with, amongst others Chou Wen-Chung and John Cage.Tenney’s work deals with perception (For Ann (rising), see Shepard tone), just intonation (Clang, see gestalt), stochastic elements (Music for Player Piano), information theory (Ergodos, see ergodic theory), and with what he called ‘swell’ (Koan: Having Never Written A Note For Percussion for John Bergamo), which is basically arch form.
Tag Archives: Cage
The Contemporary Lute
Here is a curiosity, which is a pity, as players of early music instruments do happen to live in the 21st century and can have some input into the contemporary scene. It is not restricted to Sting playing Dowland, and this marvellous collection by Peter Söderberg and Sven Åberg includes an arrangement of Stockhausen’s Tierkreis (Zodiac) from 1977, Ingvar Karkoff’s 4 duets (originally for 2 lutes), John Cage’s Dream and Steve Reich’s Piano Phase. Interestingly, most of the repertoire dates from the 1960s and 70s – what has happened to music in our century?
4’33”
I imagine that any comment should be superfluous, but just in case you wondered, the Museum of Modern Art will exhibit Cage’s 1952 score “4’33” (In Proportional Notation) will be exhibiting this famous piece this month.