Hymns and Variations



Category: Musical composition
Dated: New York City, January 1979
Instrumentation: Twelve amplified voices (SSSAAATTTBBB)
Duration: around 28'
Premiere and performer(s):
Dedicated to: --- (?)
Choreography: ---
Published: Edition Peters 66812 © 1979 by Henmar Press.
Manuscript: Score (galley proof with holographic emendations in pencil and ink - 24 p.); Models (printed copies of original hymns with holographic emendations in black and red pencil - 2 lv.); Sketches (holograph in red and black pencil - 47 lv.); Worksheets (holograph in ink - 7 lv.), all in New York Public Library.


Cage used harmonic subtraction techniques on two hymns by William Billings (Old North and Heath). Each hymn is treated like this for five times, resulting in ten variations. The subtraction techniques are similar to those used in Apartment House 1776 and Quartets I-VIII.
The composition uses vowel sounds only, as usual sung without vibrato.