Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 12/07/1998, uploaded on 01/23/2010

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

In 1953 Cage formulated ideas for a large-scale set of works which came to be known as "The Ten Thousand Things." This title refers to the symbolism of the number 10,000 in Chinese philosophy, where it represents the infinite; the number is manifested in Cage's pieces by a total sum of 100 proportions (within 13 parts) multiplied by 100 beats in each proportion.  The first six parts were a series of short pieces for a string player, the first five ultimately became part of the larger 26'1.1499" for a String Player, the last, 59 1/2" for a String-Player, remained separate.  The notation in these works is graphic, consisting of four wide bands stretching horizontally across the page, representing the four strings on the instrument.   A smaller band below the string bands is reserved for noises made on the instrument.  Points, lines, and curves are drawn within these bands, and their relative loudness is indicated in a band at the top of the page.  Bowings, place of bowing (bridge, fingerboard, normal) and material bowed (hair or wood) are indicated. The tempo is two horizontal centimeters equals the metronome mark given; often an accelerando or ritardando is in effect.  Several different random methods were used to determine the selection and placement of all parameters; the result is, understandably,  often unidiomatic and extremely challenging technically.  Some realizations of the piece interpret the use of "noises" to include sounds made with auxiliary instruments or objects; I have decided to try to make all sounds on the violin itself, using behind-the-bridge playing, tapping and knocking the body, scroll, and tuning pegs, bowing the scroll, tailpiece, side of the bridge, and ribs of the instrument, and blowing into the F-holes.