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From: jeffw@tekecs.UUCP (Jeff Winslow)
Newsgroups: net.music,net.music.classical
Subject: Re: cage and listening
Message-ID: <3799@tekecs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-May-84 13:49:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekecs.3799
Posted: Wed May 23 13:49:49 1984
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>	I think that this kind of selective ignore-ance is what Cage
> is trying to get us to be aware of. 

Really? How profound! As if he were the only one that ever realized
this. I'm very aware of it - I'm also aware that selective "ignore-ance"
is precisely that part of my hearing which causes me to enjoy music.
He says the glass is half empty - I say it's half full.

The non-selective listening described is what a tape recorder does
perfectly well. But alas, not even a tape recorder prefers Cage to music.

>	If you come to Cage's music with a mind-set that's prepared to
> hear melodies, harmonies, drama, developement, etc., you're bound to
> be disappointed. There nothing there! Well, there's plenty there, just
> as there is plently going on around you now, you just aren't prepared
> to hear it.

I'm not only prepared to hear it, I do hear it, and IT'S NOT INTERESTING.
People talking, keyboards clacking, footsteps, chair squeaks, SO WHAT?

Cage's work belongs in the realm of philosophy, not music. I love music.
Philosophy generally bores me stiff.

				Nothing personal, Karl -

						Jeff Winslow