September 5 - John Cage (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

John Cage (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was one of the leading composers of the mid-twentieth century avant-garde in music.

 [For last year's verses on John Cage and Giacomo Meyerbeer click here.]

 

Mr. Cage Meets Mr. Riley

When revising his 4’33”

He decided to make it less free.

The movements in tacet

Took on a new facet

When everyone played them in C.

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Nuts and Bolts 

 

When the handyman asked if he shared,

Mr. Cage nodded yes, and declared,

“There’s a box that I use

For my hardware and screws,

As they said in the scouts, ‘Be prepared!’ “

 

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Two Variations for a Pair

Thought Cunningham, dancing a dance

To a score that was written by chance,

“You’d best do some vetting

To know what you’re getting

Before you begin a romance.”

Merce Cunningham, never in tandem

With a score Cage had written at random,

Succumbed to the notion

Of showing emotion,

And shocked their Bohemian fandom.

 

 

 

 

 

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