Dream
Music for the dance by Merce Cunningham




Category: Musical composition
Dated: New York City, 1948
Instrumentation: Piano solo (or viola and ensemble of 4 violas)
Duration: 7'
Premiere and performer(s): Different information occurs: Paul van Emmerik mentions August 20, 1948 in his worklist. According to one manuscript it was on May 8, 1948 at Stephens College in Columbia, Michigan
Dedicated to: ---
Choreography: Merce Cunningham
Published: Edition Peters 6707 © 1960 by Henmar Press
Manuscript: Score (2p.); Score (holograph, signed in ink - 2p.), both in New York Public Library.


Dream was written for Merce Cunningham's dance. The music follows the rhythmic structure of the choreography and uses a fixed gamut of tones. Throughout the composition resonances are sustained, either manually or with the pedal. The music is essentially a single melodic line, except for the last few bars.
An arrangement for solo viola and ensemble of 4 violas exists (arranged in 1974 by Cage?) and has been published by C.F.Peters. According to Stefan Hussong (in the liner notes accompanying the CD 'Dream - Stefan Hussong plays John Cage'. Denon CO-18069) a revision for organ exists as well.