Speech and *text in compositions by John Cage, 1950--1992 [and] I Am Right. You Are Wrong.
Item
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Title
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Speech and *text in compositions by John Cage, 1950--1992 [and] I Am Right. You Are Wrong.
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Identifier
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AAI3037449
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identifier
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3037449
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Creator
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Thorman, Marc.
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Contributor
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Advisers: Philip Lambert | David Olan
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Date
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2002
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Music | Literature, Modern | Speech Communication
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Abstract
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Text and speech in compositions by John Cage, 1950--1992 . Cage's spoken-text compositions synthesize writing, composition, and visual elements to produce texts that function as musical scores for speakers. Other works employ speech as indeterminate compositional material. From the structured syntactic spoken-text compositions of the early 1950's to the anarchic, nonintentional works from 1970 to 1992 Cage invented a multitude of compositional techniques to accomplish his goal of "having nothing to say and saying it." This paper offers a comprehensive overview of spoken-text compositions and other speech-based works by John Cage, including several late unpublished works, to provide a full view of his works with text and speech. Over twenty individual pieces from the period 1950 to 1992 are extensively analyzed, focusing on compositional techniques and methodologies in the context of Cage's changing aesthetic and philosophical outlook, and in relation to his compositional developments in other genres.;The first part of the paper discusses works from three successive compositional phases from 1950 to 1965: composition based on proportional rhythmic structure, composition using chance techniques, and indeterminacy in composition and performance. The second part examines works from 1970 to 1992 when Cage abandoned syntax and developed new means of composing with text and speech: linguistic fragmentation and the mesostic poetic form. Both parts endeavor to establish the compositional basis and character of Cage's texts and to view his works for speakers as performance pieces.;I am right. You are wrong. This composition is a realization of William Burroughs's text, "I am right. You are wrong." 1 The text is recited by a speaker, while the six typographical symbols that recur throughout the text are used as the basis for the scoring of two trios, each consisting of prepared piano, a string instrument of the violin family, and percussion; or two duos (without percussion). The voice and string instruments are amplified; other amplification used as necessary. The two trios are placed on either side of the speaker. The speaker reads the text using a time line as a guide. Instrumentalists improvise using the six symbols derived from Burroughs's typographical symbols.;The composition has three major sections, following the structure of Burroughs's text, in which a rigid dualism gives way to ambiguity and chaos. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).;1William Burroughs, "So Who Owns Death TV" in The Burroughs File (San Francisco: City Lights Books, 1984), 102--05.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.M.A.
