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John Cage
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Composition in Retrospect Paperback – October 1, 2008

by John Cage (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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John Cage's poetical statement on indeterminacy, Duchamp, art, life and more

Written in his characteristic “mesostics” (lines of prose poetry linked by a central vertical acrostic), Composition in Retrospect is a statement of methodology in which composer John Cage examines the central issues of his work: indeterminacy, imitation, variable structure and contingency. Finished only shortly before his death in 1992, Composition in Retrospect completes the documentation of Cage’s thought that began with his classic book Silence (1961), but it is an introduction and invitation to his work as much as a summary or conclusion. Also included in this volume (at Cage’s request) is “Themes and Variations,” a piece written in 1982 about friends and heroes such as Jasper Johns, Buckminster Fuller, Marcel Duchamp and Erik Satie. Together these pieces form a book that is both a testament to the artists Cage admired and a clear statement of his own ars poetica.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    184 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Exact Change
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    6.02 x 0.51 x 7.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1878972111
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1878972118
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Exact Change (October 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 184 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1878972111
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1878972118
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.02 x 0.51 x 7.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

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John Cage

John Cage

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
8 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. Summerson
5.0 out of 5 stars Clean-Cut Cage
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
The book came quickly and was in amazing condition. I gave it as a Christmas gift, and the recipient couldn't have been anymore thrilled. Thanks!
2 people found this helpful
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grandma N
2.0 out of 5 stars Text Not Image
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
While the cover is what attracted me, the contents were not what I expected. I was hoping to see more images similar to the cover since I am familiar with some of the burned etchings Cage produced. I was hoping to read about his philosphies relating to creativity and chance. This book is for a reader interested in Cage's poetry and philosophy with specific and esoteric focus but with little reference to Cage's image-making process.
6 people found this helpful
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Jade Hails
3.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge the book by it's title.
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was really hoping this to be a book about his compositions, however it seems to be just advanced peotry. Be wary.
4 people found this helpful
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