John Cage / David Tudor – Indeterminacy: New Aspect Of Form In Instrumental And Electronic Music

I have this set, but all 4 sides show the Folkways Records address as: 117 W. 46 St., N.Y.C., not just sides 3 & 4. In addition to the "ear" in the deadwax, there is also what appears to be a circled "p" and MK on all 4 sides.

I was first exposed to the music of John Cage via the Folkways edition of this piece in 1989, at Florida Southern College's Roux Library. The college allowed students to record albums onto cassette, so I dubbed this LP and listened to it an "indeterminate" number of times over the years. The stories are quite pithy, often humorous, and nearly all of it is highly memorable. Even today, certain lines are stuck in my head -- "Ha ha, your mushrooms are gone," "Play it again, and this time do not make mistakes." David Tudor's interpolations can be quite jarring, coincidental, distracting, or at times perfectly appropriate. The experience of listening to this composition is difficult to describe. While many modern experimental recordings seem designed to alienate the listener, this one has the potential to draw the listener in, and invites multiple listening sessions. The 2011 Doxy reissue is expertly realized both sonically and visually. A great value for someone who doesn't have the resources or desire to secure an original copy.

This is my first attempt at ordering on this site & i am much confused. I think i've now ordered a second copy of the disc i want from you and but as of now have not seen how i pay for this or for the first copy i ordered. i may have to cancel this because of my error but i remain confused and uncertain. My apologies.

Originally issued in 1959 on Smithsonian Folkways, the initial idea for Indeterminacy came from avant-garde pianist, David Tudor, who suggested that John Cage give a lecture that was simply the telling of stories. Cage did this in Brussels in September 1958. For this lecture Cage simply stood in front of an audience and told 30 stories without musical accompaniment. Upon returning to the States in 1959, Cage decided to record the stories, but this time with the musical accompaniment of David Tudor. For the recording the two men were placed in different studios where they could not hear each other, while Tudor performed portions of Cage’s “Concert for Piano and Orchestra” (1957-58) and pre-recorded selections of Cage’s “Fontana Mix” (Milan, 1958), and Cage simultaneously told 90 one-minute stories (sped up or slowed down according to the story’s length). In a career that spanned over half a century, this album is considered to be one of Cage’s best. It has never been reissued on LP until now. Includes liner notes by John Cage.