| Category: | Musical composition |
| Dated: | 1944 |
| Instrumentation: | Prepared piano |
| Duration: | 4' |
| Premiere and performer(s): | Apr. 5, 1944, at the Studio Theatre, New York, with the dance by Merce Cunningham. |
| Other performances: | * April 12-13, 1950. Connecticut College for Women, New London, CT. John Cage, piano. Performed with Cunningham choreography * April 26, 1950. Plays and Players Auditorium, Philadelphia, PA. John Cage, piano. Performed with choreography * May 14, 1950. Theresa L. Kaufmann Concert Hall. Young Men's Hebrew Association, New York. John Cage, piano. Performed with choreography * April 12, 1951. Meany Hall, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Performed with Cunningham choreography |
| Dedicated to: | for Merce Cunningham |
| Choreography: | Merce Cunningham: Root of an Unfocus (1944) |
| Published: | Edition Peters 6743 © 1960 by Henmar Press. Also published in "John Cage - Prepared Piano Music, Volume 2 ¤ 1940-47", Edition Peters 67886b © 2000 |
| Manuscript: | Score including table of preparations (holograph, signed, in ink - 1+3 p.); Title page not used for published edition (holograph, signed, in ink - 1 lf.), both in New York Public Library |
| This piece is written in a rhythmic structure, corresponding to that of the dance, for which is was written.
The character of the piece is dramatic, with many repeated elements, played either very loudly, or very softly.
There is very little development in the work, it begins and ends in a static situation. The preparation of the piano is
not extensive. |