Of Works by John Cage 263 CT-Prelims.Qxd 6/8/06 2:53 PM Page Ix
dickinson.mech.4 7/3/06 9:39 AM Page 1 Apart from the long interview with Cage ohn Cage was one of America’s most himself there are discussions with Bonnie renowned composers and—from the 1940s Bird, Earle Brown, Merce Cunningham,Minna Juntil his death in 1992—was also among the Lederman,Otto Luening,Jackson Mac Low, most influential thinkers in the field of twenti- edited by peter dickinson Peadar Mercier,Pauline Oliveros, John Rock- eth-century arts and media.From a West Coast well,Kurt Schwertsik, Karlheinz Stockhausen, American background, as a kind of homespun Virgil Thomson,David Tudor,La Monte avant-garde pioneer, Cage gradually achieved Young, and Paul Zukovsky. Most of the inter- “John Cage had, as he says of himself in this kaleidoscopic volume, international acclaim. views were given to Peter Dickinson but there ‘very little experience as a pessimist.’ Here the breeze of his opti- The increasing numbers of performances, are others involving Rebecca Boyle,Anthony mism—challenging, questioning, refreshing—can be felt as nowhere recordings, and studies of Cage’s music Cheevers, Michael Oliver, and Roger Smalley. else.With contributions also from Merce Cunningham, David Tudor, demonstrate beyond question its relevance and other close associates, this is an indispensable portrait of an artist today. But he was also a much-admired writer The British composer, pianist,and writer Peter whose spirit continues to fascinate,chide,and tease.” and artist and a uniquely attractive personality, Dickinson has long been dedicated to explor- —Paul Griffiths , author of The Sea on Fire: Jean Barraqué and able to present his ideas engagingly wherever ing American music.
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