Classical musicians do all sorts of things to grab a sliver of attention, but this violist’s attempt to play Bach on the Great Wall is wrong for all sorts of reasons.

First, the Great Wall is one of the wonders of the world. It does not need Bach.

Second, there is no artistic reason for playing there.

Third, you can’t hear much because of the howling wind.

Don’t watch here. 


photo: Classic FM

It was August 12, 1992 when we learned that John Cage was no longer with us, dying in a New York hospital and narrowly missing the milestone of his 80th birthday.

At the time, it seemed like the end of an age of iconoclasm, of composers who proclaimed that music is whatever they proclaim it to be.

But as time passes, Cage’s ideas deepen and extend far beyond the coterie of the avant-garde. No living American composer has got where he or she is today without engaging with Cage in some shape or form. Any number of progressive rock and pop performers have read Cage.

And many soloists have been stunned by the sheer, transfixing beauty of his work for single instruments.

John Cage lives on in some places he least expected.

Here’s a stash of working musicians’ tributes.


photo (c) Betty Freeman/Lebrecht Music&Arts

 

From Michael Song, in Ottawa:

Currently at the airport and Westjet won’t let me bring my cello on board even after buying a ticket for it… We bought the ticket for the 2 part flight through a different airline and they refuse to allow me to carry my $100,000 cello and bows on the plane.