Seventy-Four



Category: Musical composition
Dated: March 1992, New York City
Instrumentation: Orchestra of 74 musicians: 3333 - 4331, 2 pianos, 2 percussionists, harp and strings (14-10-8-8-6)
Duration: 12'
Premiere and performer(s): November 8, 1992 at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Performed by the American Composers Orchestra, Dennis Russell Davies, director.
Dedicated to: Francis Thorne, Dennis Russell Davies and the American Composers Orchestra
Choreography: ---
Published: Edition Peters 67482 © 1992 by Henmar Press
Manuscript: Galley proof of parts with holograph and manuscript annotations in an unidentified hand (151 lv. JPB 94-24 Folder 899), sketches (Holograph, signed, in ink, fax sheet, and computer print-out with holograph annotation - 6 lv. and 1 fax sheet containing a message from Artservices to John Cage concerning the number and kind ofinstruments in the American Composers Orchestra, and also containing holograph notations. The other leaf is computer print-out of time-brackets - 2 lv. JPB 94-24 Folders 897 and 898), all in New York Public Library


"Orchestral parts without score to be played with video clock without conductor. Single notes in flexible time-brackets...There should be the usual imperfection of tuning perhaps slightly exaggerated so that the music is microtonal..." -- from performance notes.

Sources: Rob Haskins: "An Anarchic Society of Sounds: The Number Pieces of John Cage"; New York Public Library online catalog; Edition Peters online catalog; Paul van Emmerik's A John Cage Compendium