| Category: | Musical composition |
| Dated: | 1945 |
| Instrumentation: | Prepared piano |
| Duration: | 8' |
| Premiere and performer(s): | January 9, 1945 |
| Dedicated to: | |
| Choreography: | Merce Cunningham |
| Published: | Edition Peters 6787 © 1982 by Henmar Press. |
| Manuscript: | Score (holograph, signed, in ink - 7 p.); Sketches and table of preparations (holograph in pencil - 2 p.), both in New York Public Library. |
| This work was written for the dance and follows the rhythmic structure of it. Mysterious Adventure is divided into five sections, arranged in block-like, modular segments reappearing in various forms. The frenetic activities, not having a particular direction, as well as the repetitions, make it a rather trivial piece, unlike the simpler and more understated pieces, where Cage is able to maintain the tension and drive of the composition. The piano preparation is moderately complicated, involving 27 notes. |