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From: anderson@uwvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: John Cage
Message-ID: <247@uwvax.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 4-May-84 18:17:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwvax.247
Posted: Fri May  4 18:17:45 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 7-May-84 05:34:19 EDT
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 25

<>
A recent article by Jeff Winslow points out that Cage's music, by virtue
of its randomness, conveys nothing to its listeners.  In particular it
does not convey "beauty".

This is true, and is in keeping with its purpose.  We enjoy experiencing
beauty because it triggers feelings, perhaps pleasant or profound.
The goal of Zen meditation, on the other hand, is the cessation of
thought and emotion.  Not the cessation of awareness.  I think that
Cage's non-beautiful music has a similar purpose.

In response to a couple of other points in Jeff's article: first, Cage
does indeed "know" a lot about Zen Buddhism.  Again, I recommend any
of Cage's books, which are an entertaining and though-provoking blend
of musical comments, anecdotes, and koans (short, cryptic writings
designed to stump and infuriate the rational mind).

Secondly, there may be people for whom mentions of Eastern philosophies
have some sort of chic attraction, and these people may like to drop
Cage's name, but I doubt that they regularly listen to his music.
Listening to Cage (and practicing Zen) are very difficult and initially
unrewarding activities.  I never got beyond this initial period, but
there is evidence that other people have.

David Anderson (uwvax!anderson)