John Cage

Imaginary Landscapes No1

Imaginary landscapes were all left entirely to chance, as they were

performed using radios and their frequencies didnt matter and were
therefore different every time they were played. As an accompaniment,
cymbals, percussion and other instruments such as piano were
implemented into the music and played a vital part in the piece, adding
grounding to the ideas and a base on which the radio frequencies could
rest. Each version of the piece was accompanied by a different group of
instruments but used the same method of composing. Piece one uses
muted piano, cymbals, variable-speed turntables and frequency
recordings. To me, this piece reminds me of growth, green shoots sparking
a barren terrain, adding life to darkness and intensifying slowly. Imaginary
Landscapes starts quietly; as if the shoots of the music were still
underground, but quickly gets louder and more intense to create a big
sound and results in an almost alien noise.