Chance-determined music for string orchestra (violin, viola, cello, double bass).  Quarter note equals mm. 103, the number 103 being the title of the work for large orchestra that Cage indicated should be performed with his last work, "one11."  

The last four notes of "for john cage" are C-E-A-G, the four letters that spell his last name.

Method of Composition

I took slips of paper and wrote the letters A through L on each individual slip. I then put them in a bag and drew each slip of paper, in succession, from the bag.  I repeated this procedure 7 times in a row.

The first time all notes are sustained in order to create chords, or formations, of two notes.

The second time, the notes are sustained in order to form three-note chords.

Third time, 3-note chords again.

4th, 5th, and 6th Times, 4-note chords are created, except at one point during the 4th time at the end, when 6 notes are sustained so as to form one six-note chord.

7th time: 3-note chords.

The letters on the slips of paper refer to notes in the chromatic scale, beginning with the middle C on the piano. The letter A on the slip of paper indicates middle C, the letter B refers to C#, and so on ascending through the scale (the letter L is the last note of the scale, i.e. B Natural).

for john cage

Bill LePage