Very rare Cage video and performance

[12tone.]

Here's a seemingly very rare video of a young John Cage at a show where he performs one of his own works on air.

Interesting video. 

[Bogey]

I actually found it engaging once I was able to tune out the laughter of some of the audience members....thank you for the link.

[Black Knight]

That was actually pretty cool if it was not for the laughter coming from the audience. I don't see how it would work on a recording though, without the visual addition to the piece that a live performance benefits from.

[greg]

that was cool! 
the visual part of him doing all that was the most interesting, especially when he shoves the toasters off the table 

i'd like to hear a recording by itself, without audience laughter. I can say that I always have liked the sound of piano strings rustling in a low cluster, but having stuff like a rubber ducky squeak doesn't make sense to me.

[The Mad Hatter]

Well, I really don't think that he could have written a piece like that without being aware of the humour in it - probably why he elected to do that particular one for the show.

Very enjoyable video, though, thanks.

[bwv 1080]

I am sure Cage appreciated the humor and audience reaction.

Great video thanks for posting it

[jfmac]

Not sure he didn't think the laughter was part of the performance. Wasn't he big on ambient sound?

[karlhenning]

And, he had a sense of humor, and knew better than to suppose that his performances would receive unalloyed sympathy (much of the time).

[not edward]

And, he had a sense of humor, and knew better than to suppose that his performances would receive unalloyed sympathy (much of the time).

... and this is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Cage. He was by no means always a frivolous composer but he often addressed artistic issues (sometimes serious ones) in a humorous way. I don't think all of what he did is successful in musical terms, but it's usually interesting.

[BachQ]

(no comment)

[oyasumi]

He watered a plant in a bathtub. It's supposed to be funny.

[karlhenning]

He watered a plant in a bathtub. It's supposed to be funny.

Who cares about the sonics, he owns the piece.

[greg]

i'd like the score, please 

[not edward]

He watered a plant in a bathtub. It's supposed to be funny.

Indeed, it is. But the other point of the piece (I think) is that there is something genuinely musical hidden behind the surface absurdity.

[Guido]

I really liked it. My feeling was that the audience was laughing because they didn't knowhow else to react. They were laughing even at non-funny parts (like every action, when not all of them were all that funny). Even if you don't appreciate it as music the actions might make you smile, but I doubt belly laugh in the same way that the audience did... I suppose they lived in a different time, but that was my impression.

[George]

Thanks very much for that, 12 Tone! 

As for the audiences noise, Cage surely would have said that it was "part of the performance." Just as it is in 4' 33"

[The Mad Hatter]

Thanks very much for that, 12 Tone! 

As for the audiences noise, Cage surely would have said that it was "part of the performance." Just as it is in 4' 33"

Well it filled in a lot of the silence that would have been filled otherwise by radios. (which would just have transmitted static in a TV studio anyhow)

[George]

I bet, without a radio, Cage could listen to "music" all day long. 

[greg]

I bet, without a radio, Cage could listen to "music" all day long. 

we all are, all the time. It's just that most of it sucks, so we rely on other people to make music we like for us.