John Cage - A Chance Operation (The John Cage Tribute) (1993)

This two-CD set celebrating John Cage features works by various luminaries in the international avant-garde circle performing works by or in memoriam of the iconoclastic composer John Cage. Programmed to random play by the listener qua co-creator and mixed with whatever other sounds the listener brings to the listening space and whatever sounds happen to be present, the album becomes what Cage calls "real music," not a relic of music: One hundred and forty-one minutes of 183 pieces of 23 works, in any order, with any other sounds. The irony will not be lost on fans of Cage's work that a recorded tribute album for a composer who disliked the recorded medium is at best a strange tribute. But that said, considering the uniqueness of the collection – and indeed the clout of the listed performers – even the most orthodox of Cage disciples will be pleased with this recording. Performances range from David Tudor's electronic explorations to Patrick Moraz's performance of Cage's "Dances for Prepared Piano." Laurie Anderson is featured reading texts by Cage over her own compositions on several tracks, and these add a fair amount of unity to this sprawling collection. The final work on this recording is entitled "New York City" and is an ambient recording of the environment outside Cage's apartment.

Some would say that Frank Zappa's participation alone in this project, featuring his rendition of Cage's infamous 4'33", is worth looking into.

Tracklist*

CD 1

The Kronos Quartet : Pieces (30) for String Quartet: Excerpt(s)
1. Excerpts For Thirty Pieces For String Quartet
2. Excerpt From Thirty Pieces For String Quartet

Patrick Moraz: Three Dances for 2 Prepared Pianos: no 1
3. Three Dances For Prepared Piano, Dance #1
4. Dance 2: Three Dances for Prepared Piano
5. Dance 3: Three Dances for Prepared Piano

Jackson Mac Low, Anne Tardos: First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
6. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
7. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
8. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
9. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
10. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
11. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
12. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
13. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage
14. First Four-Language Word Event in Memoriam John Cage

Christian Wolff, Roger Zahab: Six Melodies Variation for Solo Violin
Ken Nordine Ken Nordine: A Cage Went in Search of a Bird
Earle Brown: Three Solos for Trumpet
Laurie Anderson: Cunningham Stories (At the Age of Twelve…)
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Haiku FM
Larry Austin, Robert Black: Art Is Self-Alteration Is Cage Is
David Tudor: Webwork
Yoko Ono: Georgia Stone

CD 2

Laurie Anderson: Cunningham Stories (Merce Cunningham Phoned His Mother…)
Oregon (Ralph Towner, Glen Moore, Paul McCandless ): Chance/Choice
Takehisa Kosugi: 75 Letters and Improvisation
David Van Tieghem: Living Room Music
James Tenney: Ergodos I for John Cage
Laurie Anderson: Cunningham Stories (Every Morning…)
Robert Ashley: Factory Preset
Frank Zappa: 4' 33"
John Cale: In Memoriam John Cage – Call Waiting
Meredith Monk: Aria
Laurie Anderson: Cunningham Stories (The Cunningham Company…)
New York City (recorded outside of John Cage's apartment in New York City)

* You may find detailed information on this CD, including complete track listing, widely available on the web.

Koch 3-7238-2 Y6x2