What is (a) Happening?: Black Mountain College
Category: Europeras 3 & 4
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Cage’s Legacy in Detroit: Techno, Free Jazz, Punk
Where does beauty begin and where does it end? Where it ends is where the artist begins.[1]
John Cage’s Detroit: Sounds of Silence
The 1950s saw Cage toying with the very foundational ideas of composition. After receiving a copy of the I-Ching—a classic Chinese divination tool—from a pupil, Cage began employing the text to elicit chance procedures in his musical works. This period saw Cage develop his philosophies around sound, silence, and the concept of “music” in an …
John Cage’s Detroit: Early Years
John Cage during his 1966 concert at the opening of the National Arts Foundation in Washington, DC. Credit: Rowland Scherman, Getty Images The first question I ask myself when something doesn’t seem to be beautiful is why do I think it’s not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason.” – John …
Putting It Together: The Piano Parts of Europera 3
What do opera production and furniture building have in common? The old adage “Follow the instructions!” Words by Matthew Principe, Detroit Opera Staff Many opera scores from the 19th and 20th centuries come with instructions included – dynamic and tempo markings and perhaps entrances and stage directions within the score. Some composers include notes to prepare …
