songwriting music

MUA 1930. Assignment 12. The Modern Period (II) Listening: 1. Boulez. Piano Sonata no. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXJWHG_6KAI Disregard this one 2. Cage. Water Walk (video below) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXOIkT1-QWY 3. Cage. 4’33” (video below) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OovYr0w7BMA 4. Reich. Music for 18 Musicians (video below. Please listen to the beginning and then some random segments throughout the piece) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXJWO2FQ16c Assignment: 1. After listening to some random segments from Reich’s piece (minimalism), you can tell that the music stays very similar, with very few changes (and it’s an hour long!). To me, the hypnotic effect of the music is very effective, I don’t think this music is boring. In fact, it makes me remember the times when I was your age and was into Techno Music, especially “Trance.” What is your take? Do you agree with me or not? (Note: you won’t be penalized for disagreeing with me!). Finally, performers say that this piece is very hard to play. Why is that, if it doesn’t sound difficult (virtuosic)? 2. After listening to both of Cage’s pieces, write a short essay (about 150 words) on this topic: Do you think Cage was a charlatan and not a musician? Or was he smarter than we think and had a point? I’ll tell you what I think. Cage was a serious and talented composer, who just played by his book. And also very smart. Think of the money he’s getting on royalties every time the piece is “played” or the score purchased! As a curiosity, Kanye West once said he was a fan of Cage. In his album Yeezus (2013) he has long periods of complete silence!