Twentieth Century: Significant Pieces of Music

John Cage (1912-1992, American)

John Cage

John Cage brought a new element into the musical world when he introduced the concept of chance, where some parts of the composition are left up to chance. He also is the creator of the prepared piano—a piano with its sound altered by placing various objects in the strings. Cage is probably best known for his piece 4’33”. Do a web search on this piece to learn how unique it really is!

Listen to John Cage's Bacchanale, for prepared piano: