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1

John Cage

The Works for Percussion I

Label: Mode

Format: CD

Out of stock

 After 42 Volumes in Mode’s Cage Edition, Mode is releasing the first volume dedicated to his percussion music. Percussion Group Cincinnati is particularly respected for its knowledge of and experience with the entire range of John Cage’s music, having made tours and festival appearances with him on a number of occassions in Europe and in America, and having had pieces created by Cage especially for the Group. Volume 1 consists of the complete Imaginary Landscapes 1-5 (1939-52) and Credo in US (1942). Some of these works’ revolutionary features include the use of radios and phonograph recordings - anticipating the concept of sampling. Credo in US is scored for a pianist, two percussionists playing muted gongs, tin cans, electric buzzer and tom-toms, and a fourth performer operating a radio and phonograph. Two performances are included here, one with the phonograph featuring Beethoven, the other Shostakovich. Imaginary Landscape #1 (1939) is scored for muted piano, cymbal, radio and Test-Tone records to be played on a variable speed turntable. The actual records and turntable specified in the score were located and used for this recording. Imaginary Landscape #4 (1951) requires 12 radios and conductor. It’s meticulous score specifies dynamics and frequencies yet the result will always be different, subject to what is broadcast at that time: music, talk, noise, static and silence.
• Imaginary Landscape #5 (1952) is made from a collage of fragments from (LP) records, recorded on tape. There are eight tracks, made from 42 selected records. Duration and amplitude are notated but there is no indication of what records (or what kind of music)
should be used. Two versions are given here: one with jazz recordings (as in Cage’s original), the second using Cage recordings from Mode’s Edition.”

Details
Cat. number: mode 229
Year: 2011
Notes:
Released in standard jewel case with 28-page booklet including liner notes in English, German and French. Credo In Us (1942), for percussion quartet (including radio & phonograph). 2 versions Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (1939), for 2 variable-speed turntables, frequency recordings, muted piano and cymbal, to be performed as a recording or broadcast. Imaginary Landscape No. 2, March No. 1 (1942), for percussion quintet Imaginary Landscape No. 3 (1942), for percussion sextet Imaginary Landscape No. 4, March No. 2 (1942), for 12 radios, first version Imaginary Landscape No. 4, March No. 2 (1951), second version Imaginary Landscape No. 5 (1952), for any 42 recordings realized on magnetic tape. 2 versions: using period jazz records, and using recordings of Cage's music. Cage On Original Instruments First modern recording to utilize Cage's specified 78-rpm test tone records played on variable-speed phone turntables (Imaginary Landscapes Nos. 1 & 2), and 78-rpm records (Credo In Us). Recorded at: Robert J Werner Concert Hall, College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Landscape #1: 12 June 2008; Landscape #2: 25 February 2006: Landscape #3: 20 November 2006; Landscape #4: 25 May 2006; Landscape #5: 6 November 2007; Credo in Us: 26 May 2006. Also available on surround-sound DVD with 40-minute video documentary. ℗ © 2011 mode records. Made & Printed in USA