[silence] John's Birthday

[Joe Galvan]

Dear Silencers:

I'm sure all of you know that John's birthday was this week, and I hope all
of you remembered him and his accomplishments on his special day. I taught
class on that day (I teach Music Appreciation), and challenged my students
to listen to a Cage piece, or practice *4'33" *once.

I saw the controversial performance of 4'33" done at the Barbican a few
years back last night on YouTube, and I was surprised at the level
of animosity people had towards the piece. I recall telling a professor who
I didn't see eye-to-eye with telling me that people "were crazy" to listen
to Cage's piece, and that he didn't see the reason why Cage "made a fool of
himself" in composing it.

I have never understood why most of the conventional scene can't grasp some
of John's ideas--they don't seem too hard to grasp, in fact, things like
4'33 are so easy to see. I'm surprised that we haven't built a memorial to
Cage, or have had him petitioned to be honored posthumously for his
acheivements. I think it would be nice if he were finally given national
recognition for what he has contributed to American musicial culture and the
life of music in general.

Thoughts, anyone?
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