Identifying Forms of Twentieth-Century Music

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CLEP Humanities › Identifying Forms of Twentieth-Century Music

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1

Which modernist composer is known for the silent piece 4'33"?

John Cage

Modest Mussorgsky

Arnold Schoenberg

Glenn Gould

Philip Glass

Explanation

John Cage became well known in the mid-twentieth century for his radical and odd compositions. In particular, Cage used odd instruments and strange tunings, and created a piano with objects placed on keys. His most famous work is the completely silent 4'33",which calls for the performer(s) to sit and do nothing for four minutes and thirty three seconds.

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