March 21, 2009

John Cage on "I've Got a Secret" 1960

Here is a wonderful clip of John Cage performing “Water Walk” in January 1960 on the popular CBS television show, “I’ve Got a Secret.”

Cage is utterly charming and witty:

Host: Will you tell us quite seriously whether or not you consider what we’re about to hear music? No tongue in cheek, but seriously.

Cage: No, perfectly seriously, I consider music the production of sounds and since in the piece which you will hear I produce sounds, I’d call it music.

[...]

Host: Mr. Cage, these are nice people, but some of them are going to laugh. Is that
alright?

Cage: Of course. I consider laughter preferable to tears.





Via WFMU.

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