John Cage Quotes


It is better to make a piece of music than to perform one, better to perform one than to listen to one, better to listen to one than to misuse it as a means of distraction, entertainment, or acquisition of 'culture.'


Citations

Cage, John. Silence: Lectures and Writings. Wesleyan University Press, 1961, p. 26.

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John Cage
John Cage
  • Born: September 5, 1912
  • Died: August 12, 1992
  • Nationality: American
  • Profession: Composer Music Theorist

John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde. Critics have lauded him as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was also instrumental in the development of modern dance, mostly through his association with choreographer Merce Cunningham, who was also Cage's romantic partner for most of their lives.