Camerata de Berna
Concertino y Director: Thomas Furi
1985 Polydor International GmbH, Hamburg
Prestige Collection Nº 006
Duración total: 53'36"

This two-CD set celebrating John Cage features works by various luminaries in the international avant-garde circle performing works by or in memoriam of the iconoclastic composer John Cage. Programmed to random play by the listener qua co-creator and mixed with whatever other sounds the listener brings to the listening space and whatever sounds happen to be present, the album becomes what Cage calls "real music," not a relic of music: One hundred and forty-one minutes of 183 pieces of 23 works, in any order, with any other sounds. The irony will not be lost on fans of Cage's work that a recorded tribute album for a composer who disliked the recorded medium is at best a strange tribute. But that said, considering the uniqueness of the collection -- and indeed the clout of the listed performers -- even the most orthodox of Cage disciples will be pleased with this recording. Performances range from David Tudor's electronic explorations to Patrick Moraz's performance of Cage's "Dances for Prepared Piano." Laurie Anderson is featured reading texts by Cage over her own compositions on several tracks, and these add a fair amount of unity to this sprawling collection. The final work on this recording is entitled "New York City" and is an ambient recording of the environment outside Cage's apartment.

Some would say that Frank Zappa's participation alone in this project, featuring his rendition of Cage's infamous 4'33", is worth looking into.

This two-CD set celebrating John Cage features works by various luminaries in the international avant-garde circle performing works by or in memoriam of the iconoclastic composer John Cage. Programmed to random play by the listener qua co-creator and mixed with whatever other sounds the listener brings to the listening space and whatever sounds happen to be present, the album becomes what Cage calls "real music," not a relic of music: One hundred and forty-one minutes of 183 pieces of 23 works, in any order, with any other sounds. The irony will not be lost on fans of Cage's work that a recorded tribute album for a composer who disliked the recorded medium is at best a strange tribute. But that said, considering the uniqueness of the collection -- and indeed the clout of the listed performers -- even the most orthodox of Cage disciples will be pleased with this recording. Performances range from David Tudor's electronic explorations to Patrick Moraz's performance of Cage's "Dances for Prepared Piano." Laurie Anderson is featured reading texts by Cage over her own compositions on several tracks, and these add a fair amount of unity to this sprawling collection. The final work on this recording is entitled "New York City" and is an ambient recording of the environment outside Cage's apartment.

Some would say that Frank Zappa's participation alone in this project, featuring his rendition of Cage's infamous 4'33", is worth looking into.

This two-CD set celebrating John Cage features works by various luminaries in the international avant-garde circle performing works by or in memoriam of the iconoclastic composer John Cage. Programmed to random play by the listener qua co-creator and mixed with whatever other sounds the listener brings to the listening space and whatever sounds happen to be present, the album becomes what Cage calls "real music," not a relic of music: One hundred and forty-one minutes of 183 pieces of 23 works, in any order, with any other sounds. The irony will not be lost on fans of Cage's work that a recorded tribute album for a composer who disliked the recorded medium is at best a strange tribute. But that said, considering the uniqueness of the collection -- and indeed the clout of the listed performers -- even the most orthodox of Cage disciples will be pleased with this recording. Performances range from David Tudor's electronic explorations to Patrick Moraz's performance of Cage's "Dances for Prepared Piano." Laurie Anderson is featured reading texts by Cage over her own compositions on several tracks, and these add a fair amount of unity to this sprawling collection. The final work on this recording is entitled "New York City" and is an ambient recording of the environment outside Cage's apartment.

Some would say that Frank Zappa's participation alone in this project, featuring his rendition of Cage's infamous 4'33", is worth looking into.