Imaginary Landscape No.1



Category: Musical composition
Dated: Seattle, spring 1939
Instrumentation: For 2 variable-speed phono turntables, frequency recordings, muted piano and cymbal; To be performed as a recording or broadcast by 4 performers.
Duration: 6'
Premiere and performer(s): March 24, 1939 at the "Hilarious Dance Concert" at the Cornish School in Seattle, performed by John and Xenia Cage, Doris Dennison and Margaret Jansen.
Dedicated to: ---
Choreography: ---
Published: Edition Peters 6716 © 1960 by Henmar Press
Manuscript: Score (holograph in ink, signed; manuscript emendations in an unidentified hand in pencil - 7 p.); Parts (holograph and copyist's manuscript in ink as well as sketches (of a work possibly for 2 pianos) in pencil - 5+2 p.); Notes (holograph - 1 lf.), all in New York Public Library.


This might be the first electro-acoustic worked ever composed. Cage uses a muted piano, large Chinese cymbal and 2 variable-speed turntables. On the first of the turntables a Victor frequency record (84522B) and a constant note record (nr.24) are played, on the second is another Victor frequency record (84522A). It was premiered in a program together with his Marriage at the Eiffel Tower.