University of Virginia Library

Silence

Cage also believes that silence,
which can never be absolute, is as
much a component of music as
intentional sound; therefore, all the
unintentional noises that arise
during a performance should be
part of that particular composition.
"If you want to know the truth of
the matter," Cage said recently,
"the music I prefer, even to my
own and everything, is what we
hear if we are just quiet." To Cage,
the most agreeable art is not only
just like life; it is life.