| Category: | Musical composition |
| Dated: | December 1985 |
| Instrumentation: | Orchestra I: English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, French horn, trumpet, tuba, 2 percussionists, 8 strings. Orchestra II: 2 flutes, contra bassoon, French horn, trumpet, 2 trombones, 4 violins, 3 cellos, 2 double basses. Orchestra III: oboe, bassoon, trombone, 1 percussionist, harp, 12 violins, 4 violas, 2 double basses Orchestra IV: flute, oboe, clarinet, 2 French horns, trumpet, percussion, piano, 4 violas, 3 cellos. |
| Duration: | 30' |
| Premiere and performer(s): | |
| Dedicated to: | |
| Choreography: | |
| Published: | Edition Peters 67119 © 1986 by Henmar Press. |
| Manuscript: | Score (galley proof with holographic annotations in ink - 49 lv.); Draft of score with performance notes (holograph in pencil and ink - 42 lv.); Sketches (holograph in ink - 9 lv.); Sketches and notes (holograph in ink - 11 lv.) all in New York Public Library |
| Materials for an orchestral performance with and without 4 conductors and a tape recording in which the
materials were created. The orchestras start playing with conductors. At random moments 2 soloists from each orchestra leave the ensemble an go to one of 8 platforms, four with microphones, the others without, and play one of 4 solos. Also 'unmovable' instruments like the piano, harp and percussion choose moments to play solos. After the solos the performers return to the ensemble and continue playing the orchestral material. The conductor beats more or less conventionally, to create the orchestral pulse which is extremely slow and non-rhythmic. The orchestral material has fixed notes and is notated conventionally but with indications for playing slightly before or after the beat and calling for microtonal glissandi. The tape was made in Cage's apartment and contains sounds of traffic, telephones, etcetera. |