John Cage was one of the iconic and revolutionary figures in musical history and indeed in all of the arts! This year’s Victoria Symphony New Music Festival celebrated the 100th anniversary of Cage’s birth. In collaboration with the Victoria Art Gallery, Open Space, and the University of Victoria, a series of concerts, art exhibitions and special retrospectives featured John Cage as a multifaceted figure, having importance in music, visual art, critical thinking, writing… his influence continues to grow, 20 years after his death!
Victoria Symphony Cage 100
Saturday, November 17, 8:00 pm @ Alix Goolden Hall
Tania Miller, conductor / Tzenka Dianova, piano / Rick Sacks, percussion
Rick Sacks – Water Music (premiere, VS commission)
John Cage – The Seasons, Concerto for Prepared Piano
Emily Carr String Quartet
Sunday, November 18, 8:00 pm @ Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
John Cage – String Quartet in Four Parts
Linda Catlin Smith – Gondola
Christopher Reiche – The length of this piece is not arbitrary, Painting a Portrait of Glass
Charles Ives – String Quartet No. 2
UVic Sonic Lab
Friday, November 16, 8:00 pm @ Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
John Cage – Musiccircus, Etcetera, Ryoanji
UVic Percussion Studio
Friday, November 16, 12:30 pm @ Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
John Cage – First Construction (in Metal), Second Construction
Linda Catlin Smith – Blue Sky
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - Exhibit
Thursday, November 8, 7:00 PM @ Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Opening of Devoted Play, an exibition of visual material by/around/concerning John Cage, curated by Christopher Butterfield.
Open Space - Discussion
Monday, November 19, 7:00 PM @ Open Space
Discussion of Cage and Anarchism with Andrew Culver, Cage’s assistant in the 1980s, and Dr. Allan Antliff, professor of art history, University of Victoria
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - Artist’s talk
Sunday, November 22, 7:30 PM @ Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Gordon Mumma was associated with John Cage and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company as composer and performer. He will be showing his own film of his time with the Company.
