John Cage's the Anarchy of Silence



John Cage's the Anarchy of Silence

Introduction

Essay thesis: John Cage's 4'33" is a perfect example of what silence taught John Cage

The Anarchy of silence by John Cage is one of the best creations and John Cage's 4'33” is perfect example in explaining that what john cage has learned from the silence. In my opinion if anyone knows the name of John Cage then he must recognize the music he wrote consisting of silence and at the same time defining the broad meaning. Although most of his creation defines the silence, the silent piece is one of his famous creations and it was the music creation which becomes the icon in the culture of post war. This not astonishing that the piece which have been created by the John Cage attract the attention of many, I will highlight intimidation of his performance, David Tudor started performing in a very compelling gesture, it was his first performance in which the genius pianist named David Tudor sat at the piano open the lid of keyboard, seated silently for around thirty seconds, he closes the lid. He again sat and reopened the lid, he repeated the activity for two more times and after that he went off stage, it was all from him. The whole performance took four minutes thirty three seconds. What audience can expect with this type of the performance, this event could excite for the audience with right performer and Tudor was the right kind of performer. Tudor understood the mastery of the instrument and seriousness of purpose which was clear explained by the John Cage.

The thing which makes the event so compelling the simplicity of concept addressed by the John Cage, in this scenario composer created nothing; performer goes to the stage and does nothing. The audience perceives this act very basic, the act of sitting quietly and doing nothing, and this entire taking place in western concert hall. It is very interesting because it lends an artistic gravity to the audience; as a result viewer begs to put weight in this kind of act, a kind of teaser which is filling up with the importance.

Discussion

The piece can be found uneasy for the viewer; I think it feels like the empty room in any exhibition. How one can entertain himself for a lengthy time where the performer is sitting quietly and not performing. Especially in the western culture, where this kind of culture is not general in concert hall setting, I think it would definitely result in the tension and many questions that why performer is not performing, and this reaction is natural from the viewer. I think that with this kind of performance, we can give various responses, we might desire for more interesting sounds to listen or we might wait to end up the performance. Or else we might feel insulted, cultured, frightened, bored, sleepy, attentive, and philosophical, because we got a big shock. I wonder that how many of us will rethink about ...