John Cage in Italy, 1958–59

Over the winter of 1958–59 the composer John Cage resided in Italy for four months. Though brief, this period is remarkably significant, given the events it encompasses: Cage’s return to electronic music and his debut on television. In Italy, Cage composed Fontana Mix for magnetic tape, Aria for voice, and two pieces for television performer, Water Walk and Sounds of Venice. Moreover, he toured with Luciano Berio and performed with Sylvano Bussotti. Based primarily on archival research, this thesis is the first historical and analytical study of this period of Cage’s life and musical output.
The thesis is divided into six chapters which, though moving chronologically, fall into two thematic categories. Underpinned by direct work with Cage’s musical manuscripts, Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 6 describe the genesis, structure, scoring process, and performance of the works composed in Italy. These chapters are analytical studies concerned with questions regarding Cage’s compositional, notational, and performative techniques. The aim is to demonstrate the significance of these works regarding three aspects of Cage’s musical practice: the crafting and use of ‘compositional tools’ for generative purposes; the engagement with audio technology at creative and performative levels; the development of forms of experimental music theatre.
Chapters 4 and 5 focus on the concerts that Cage gave in Italy, and his participation in the television quiz show Lascia o raddoppia?. On the basis of historical texts and press reports, these chapters describe these events and their reception. The goal, on the one hand, is to expand the image of the 1958 European reception of Cage beyond Germany, shedding light on the political flavour which characterised his reception in Italy, and, on the other, to provide a comprehensive chronicle of Cage’s foray into the world of television, challenging the fragmentary narratives which surround this event.