George Brecht- Incidental Music, 1961

I'm pretty sure this isn't what Captain Google had in mind for his 60s cover contest, but some of my very favorite music has come from George Brecht and other Fluxus artists during the 60s and 70s.

Here is the full text:
INCIDENTAL MUSIC * 1961. Five piano pieces, any number of which may be played in succession, simultaneously, in any order and combination, with one another or with other pieces.




1. The piano seat is tilted on its base and brought to rest against a part of the piano.




2. "Incidental Music, Part 2. Wooden blocks: A single block is placed inside the piano / A block is placed upon this block, then a third upon the second, and so forth, singly, until at least one block falls from the column."




3. Photographing the piano situation.




4. Three dried peas or beans are dropped, one after another, onto the keyboard. Each such seed remaining on the keyboard is attached to the key or keys nearest it with a single piece of pressure-sensitive tape.




5. The piano seat is suitably arranged and the performer seats himself.

Captain Google's contest:
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10243

More on Fluxus and Happenings:
http://members.chello.nl/j.seegers1/flux_files/

More great audio/video/performance art:
www.ubu.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ukulele
• cover
• 60s
• george
• brecht
• fluxus
• piano
• incidental
• music

[DerangedRanger1]

Were you out of dried peas and wood blocks?

[mctrmt]

@DerangedRanger1

I was- and no time to go to the store.

[weegingayin]

I must protest, although the George Brecht piece is quite brilliant in its interpretation, I feel it leans very heavily on the classic piece 4' 33" by John Cage which was originally written for grand piano, but the full magnificence of the piece can only be appreciated on you Youtube video

John Cage - 4'33'' for large orchestra

Affectionately your

C. Nile.

[mctrmt]

You're right- there are numerous pieces that basically take off on Cage's, but with many of the Fluxus artists they also add a more absurd performative element- like the leaning of the piano bench- which I quite enjoy.

The more instruments that can be involved in 4'33" the better!

[herseyb]

haha, brililant.

[mctrmt]

Thanks ;)

[ImHereToAnnoyYou]

hahahaha I would amaze people like you.

[DerangedRanger1]

I completely understand...deadlines. They are no fun.

[mctrmt]

THanks

[mctrmt]

Thanks Ben. They really knew what they were doing in the 60s ;)