Listen on demand to WNYC's first-ever online music festival, celebrating the life and legacy of the patriarch of American contemporary music, John Cage. Helga Davis guides us through 24 hours and 33 minutes of exclusive audio from the WNYC archives, as well as Cage tributes, commentary, and performances by some of the most influential musicians of our time.

WNYC.org also features Web exclusives, including videos, interviews, a timeline, links to Cage's visual art, and more.

This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Composer Speaks

Monday, August 27, 2007

John Cage talks about how he got into working with chance procedures and came to redefine the so-called "purpose" of music.

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Joan La Barbara

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Singer Joan La Barbara talks about her work with John Cage; featured music includes "Double Music," "Atlas Eclipticalis," and "A Flower."

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Meredith Monk

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Composer/performer Meredith Monk talks about having John Cage over for meals; his reaction to her music, and their last experience together.

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Robert Spano

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Conductor Robert Spano weighs in on how John Cage rescued the compositional process from hyper-intellectualism — and restored a sense of joy and wonder to music-making.

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David Garland

Friday, August 31, 2007

Hear the story of the anechoic chamber (with versions by both John Cage and David Garland); David talks about his experiences sitting across from Cage and hearing his music.

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Carolyn Brown

Sunday, September 02, 2007

One of the founding members of Merce Cunningham's dance company, Carolyn Brown talks about life on the road with John Cage — including their adventures in mushroom picking. Featured music includes "In a Landscape" and "The Seasons."

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Margaret Leng Tan

Monday, September 03, 2007

Avant-garde pianist and John Cage disciple Margaret Leng Tan talks about her mentor's marvelous sayings, and his thoughts about his famous invention, the prepared piano (featured music includes the "Sonatas and Interludes").

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Brian Brandt

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Mode Records director Brian Brandt talks about his experiences in producing John Cage's music, with a description of Cage and Merce Cunningham's 6th avenue loft.

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Cunningham Speaks

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Merce Cunningham shares personal anecdotes about John Cage, including how Cage found their 6th Avenue apartment, his work habits, cooking abilities and fashion preferences — and how together they engaged in a perpetual quest to expand the boundaries of art.

Watch video clips of the interview

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Merce Cunningham Video

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Legendary dance figure Merce Cunningham shares anecdotes and personal memories of his life partner John Cage, in video excerpts from an August 22nd, 2007 interview conducted by Laura Kuhn for WNYC.

 

If you can't see the video click here

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A John Cage Web Reliquary

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Browse our web-exclusive materials, including videos of John Cage talking about and performing his music; a detailed timeline of events in Cage's life; some notable Cage quotes; interviews, and art.

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24:33 — Listen on Demand

Monday, August 20, 2007

Join us for 24:33, as WNYC's weekend overnight host Helga Davis guides us through 24 hours and 33 minutes of John Cage's recorded music, plus rare archival audio of interviews and live performances.

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