Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by John Cage

Quote by John Cage

Work

Silence: Lectures and Writings

This book presents a series of lectures and written works from John Cage, the pioneering American experimental composer renowned for his innovative approach to music and sound. The collection offers insights into Cage's artistic philosophy, his experimental methods, and his unconventional perspectives on the creative process. Through various essays and lectures, Cage discusses concepts related to silence, chance, and the boundaries of musical artistry. As one of the influential figures in twentieth-century avant-garde music, Cage challenged traditional musical conventions and explored the relationship between sound, environment, and performer. The writings reflect his engagement with Eastern philosophical ideas and his collaborative work with artists including Merce Cunningham. The book provides readers with an opportunity to understand the intellectual foundation behind Cage's groundbreaking musical compositions and his lasting impact on contemporary music and art. more

Author

John Cage
John Cage

John Cage (September 5, 1912 - August 12, 1992) was an American composer, music theorist, writer, and experimental musician. Known for his unique approach to music composition and exploration of sound, Cage's works often broke the boundaries of traditional music, profoundly influencing modern music. more

You May Also Like

“After I had been studying with him for two years, Schoenberg said, ‘In order to write music, you must have a feeling for harmony.’ I explained to him that I had no feeling for harmony. He then said that I would always encounter an obstacle, that it would be as though I came to a wall through which I could not pass. I said, ‘In that case I will devote my life to beating my head against that wall.’”

“When I hear what we call music, it seems to me that someone is talking. And talking about his feelings, or about his ideas of relationships. But when I hear traffic, the sound of traffic - here on Sixth Avenue, for instance - I don’t have the feeling that anyone is talking. I have the feeling that sound is acting. And I love the activity of sound... I don’t need sound to talk to me.”

“I was shocked at college to see one hundred of my classmates in the library all reading copies of the same book. Instead of doing as they did, I went into the stacks and read the first book written by an author whose name began with Z. I received the highest grade in the class. That convinced me that the institution was not being run correctly. I left.”