Gargling Carrot Juice (UPDATE)

Andre

Reading through the first few years of the Los Angeles Free Press has already been very fruitful exercise! In addition to making (what I consider to be) a major breakthrough, I’ve started to find answers to some earlier questions too.

761px-TudorCageShiraz1971

David Tudor (left) and John Cage performing at the 1971 Shiraz Art Festival. (source)

In my post from November 6, I tried to track down the source for a story that Zappa often told about John Cage. He recalled attending a concert in which he witnessed Cage drinking carrot juice with a contact microphone attached to his throat:

A short time after that, John Cage came to Claremont College and he was giving one of his … he does these performances with a throat microphone. He’d put this thing on his throat and drink a quart of carrot juice, or read something to you while he was drinking the carrot juice. [1]

I determined that the piece in question was 0’00”–in which the performer is instructed to, “in a situation provided with maximum amplification (no feedback), perform a disciplined action”–and went on to suggest that Cage’s November 26 and 27, 1965 concerts at the Harper Theater in Hyde Park were the source of Zappa’s recollection. Cage gave a performance matching Zappa’s description there and, given that the score indicates that “no two performances [may] be of the same action,” I figured that this must be the source. (Curiously, after posting a query to silence, the John Cage mailing list, I received several responses that suggested Cage did the carrot juice thing on more than one occasion.)

As it turns out, I was incorrect.

In the January 29, 1965 issue of the Los Angeles Free Press, Michael Agnello reports on a concert Cage gave with David Tudor at the Pasadena Art Museum, now the Norton Simon Museum (click on the image to the right to read the whole article):

LAFP 2-5 p5It was a common swivel chair which the man (John Cage) sat on. Whenever he moved, I heard a grating sound of metal against metal. I then discovered that he had a contact microphone attached to the swivel of the chair (just as the microphone discovered the sounds contained in the knot which joins the two parts of the chair together). The man then strapped a similar type of microphone around his neck, and proceeded to cut carrots, apples and green peppers into pieces, using an amplified knife. As the knife penetrated, I noticed that there was a commotion resulting from the instrument breaking through the fibers of which these plants are composed. My eye saw and my ears heard and at one point I was moved to say to myself, “This is ridiculous, what possible purpose could there be to all this madness?” At that point a fellow named Snyder began to expound a variety of attempted witticisms; no, he was not intended to be part of the show—–and my eyes saw and my ears heard. After the man was finished cutting, he put each piece into the electric juicer. After each piece of carrot, green pepper and apple, he lowered a microphone down into the machine so we could witness at least the aural part of their metamorphosis. Altogether, it was a happy experience and it fittingly concluded with the sound of the juice passing through the man’s throat. [2]

The description matches Zappa’s perfectly. And given that this performance took place so close to where Zappa was living at the time, it seems the obvious source for Zappa’s story.

The article does not mention the specific date of the performance, only that it was at the Pasadena Art Museum. A quick search on ProQuest revealed the following confirmation:

LA Times - 'Experiments' in New Music to Be Heard - Jan 1, 1965 pSG8John Cage, one of the country’s new musical experimenters, will present three of his compositions at the Pasadena Art Museum in two performances, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan 7.

This will be the second in a series of musical events presented by the museum in cooperation with the Coleman Chamber Music Assn. and the Pasadena Music Teachers Assn.

The series, called “Encounters,” is designed to bring together outstanding composers and performers and their listeners who seek to gain an insight into original works.

To encourage rapport between the performer and listeners, the setting is informal. The compser or performer will speak before his works will be played.

Cage’s works will include “Variations II,” “Zero Zero Zero,” and “Duet for Cymbals.” Pianist will be David Tudor. [3]

I can’t say for certain if Zappa actually attended the concert or simply read the Free Press review–he did, after all, remember the concert as having took place in Claremont–but I would be inclined to take his word for it and assume the former.

FURTHER UPDATE (December 11, 2009):

In trying to track down some more information about Cage’s performance, I took it upon myself to contact the Pasadena Art Museum (now the Norton Simon Museum). I promptly received a very helpful email from curatorial assistant Tom Norris confirming the date and the compositions performed. According to a PDF of the museum’s member newsletter and calendar, which Mr. Norris was kind enough to send me, Cage gave:

Two performances January 7, Thursday evening: 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. An encounters concert featuring the composer and David Tudor, pianist. Tickets $2.50, students $1.50.

Not a bad deal! The newsletter describes the program thusly:

Whenever contemporary experimental music is discussed, the name of John Cage is sure to be mentioned. The “prepared piano,” chance music, choice music, superimposition of different layers of sound, extension and modification of sound through mechanical media–these are all fields in which Mr. Cage has taken the lead. Even silence as an element of composition has been provocatively explored by this restlessly inventive composer.

Encounters will bring John Cage and David Tudor to the Pasadena Art Museum on Thursday, January 7th, for two performances at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. The program will consist of Duet for Cymbal, Variations II and Zero’ Zero Zero”.

References:
[1] Den Simms, “An Evening With Pierre Boulez and Frank Zappa,” T’Mershi Duween 9 (October 1989). (Text here.)
[2] Michael Agnello, “John Cage at Pasadena,” Los Angeles Free Press 2.5 (January 29, 1965): 5. (Scan of article here.)
[3] “‘Experiments’ in New Music to Be Heard.” Los Angeles Times (1965, January 1): SG8. (Full text here.)
Gargling Carrot Juice (UPDATE)

4,522 thoughts on “Gargling Carrot Juice (UPDATE)”

  1. cream yeezy 350

    material waterproofing spray j crew fur coat nike trainers womens sale black adidas originals infant trainers play paw patrol toddler hiking boots waterproof police boots bubblegum pink leggings

  4. quotazioni borsa azioni

    portafoglio montblanc calzini uomo estivi decorazioni di natale da fare con i bambini scarpe da calcetto erba sintetica decorazioni natalizie per presepe air max 270 40 cuffia nera donna giubbino pelle primavera uomo

  5. sporset on twitter nike team hustle 莽ocuk basketbol

    銈汇儍銉堛偄銉冦儣 銉娿偆銈?nike 銉°兂銈?pk 銉欍兗銈枫儍銈?銉堛儵銉冦偗 銈广兗銉?涓婁笅銈汇儍銉?861781 1901 銈搞儯銉笺偢 瑁忚捣姣?閫佹枡鐒?au wowma 銉偊銉?銉儱銉冦偗 銉娿偆銉兂 閫氬 绲愬寮忎簩娆′細銇亰銇欍仚銈併伄鏅搧銇ㄣ伅锛熶簣绠?璨荤敤銇ㄤ汉姘椼偛銉笺儬 閫佹枡鐒℃枡 銈炽兂銉愩兗銈?銈儯銉炽儛銈?銈兗銉偣銈裤兗 銉兗銈儍銉?converse canvas all star ox 銉併儯銈炽兗銉?32166751 adidas…

  8. puma femme heart

    acheter raquette de tennis lingerie mariage bustier porte papiers identit茅 pantalon homme couleur escarpin noir rond chaine ras de cou plaqu茅 or maillot de bain crochet bresilien sac tammy et benjamin

  9. vans damen sneakers ua old skool schuhe

    kuchengabel edelstahl 6 st眉ckdetails zu bauchtasche leder g眉rteltasche handy h眉fttasche herren umh盲ngetasche braun h眉lleuhrenetui aquila f眉r 1 uhrdetails zu casio digital alarm illuminator w 94h kompass

  12. louboutin shoes

    This web page can be a stroll-by means of for all of the information you wished about this and didn抰 know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you抣l definitely discover it.

  14. women brown suede biker jacket shopstyle uk

    蠁蠅蟿喂蟽蟿喂魏蠈 魏萎蟺慰蠀 渭蟺维位伪 e27 20 30 40 蔚魏. 伪魏蟻蠀位喂魏蠈 賲丕爻賰乇丕 噩賱丕賲賵乇 亘賵卮 丌亘 亘乇噩賵丕 cuadros blanco y negro blusas y camisas pyzamovy overal pansky batgirl kostyme barn mester tak trondheim as trondheim bedrift brynje arctic jacket ladies navy treningsklå¿™r dame…

  15. kobe 11 elite yellow

    red and white old skool vans jordan 26 for sale cheap saucony xodus 3.0 hombre 2016 under armour curry kids 36 puma hybrid scarpe uomo prezzo nike kobe 10 elite rose gold asics gel pulse 9 uomo vendita reebok trainfusion

  16. victor shuttle 2000 badminton shuttles

    cluedo the stolen stegosaurus board game natural history radial gauge scale from yellow to red with arrow how to make payment for online application fee online mochila notebook schoolbag mens anti theft backpack bag back pack laptop rucksack leather ba…

  21. collana con nome ilaria in corsivo di gioiapura in argento gyxcar0071 11

    銇娿仚銇欍倎7銉栥儵銉炽儔銇?缇庡搧鍒ユ敞 銉撱兗銉犮偣銉┿偝銈广儐銉濄儹銈枫儯銉? beams銈炽儵銉渓acoste闄愬畾 new balance 銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈筸l574vn classic 銈广儖銉笺偒銉?銈点偆銈?6銕?us8 d 銉戙偆銈姐兂 璨″竷 銈般儍銉?adidas questar ride ayakkabè°‹ beyaz adidas turkey st艡铆brn媒 prsten dva krou啪ky se zirkony pepco od do by iulotka.pl…

  24. t茅li babahordoz贸s ruh谩k

    æžšverdragsbyxor vuxen dam herr læ°“ga priser itab outdoor hæžšg popularitet uterq眉e kvinna vit læ°“ng 盲rm skjorta oanv盲nda skor fræ°“n nelly umeæ°“ citiboard uv kl盲der læ°“ng 盲rm reebok pump cip艖 firkaland the lost city jem jè°©t茅kos emberek magazinja t眉rkizk茅k tunik…

  25. vogn 3 side 2 babyverden forum

    haljina ravnog kroja druhè°© vrstva oble膷en铆 replica hermes black epsom oasis sandals vivienne westwood mens firm poplin classic shirt black free uk delivery over 50 ray ban rb2140 original wayfarer prescription sunglasses have you heard of fendis mon tr…

  26. yeezy 700

    Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to find any person with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this website is something that is needed on the net, somebody with a little origin…

  27. black friday v媒prodej dedoles str谩nka 膷. 2 3

    2018 summer fashion casual white pant suits 2 piece set women flare sleeve crop top and black white stripes wide leg pants litinov媒 dr啪谩k na hadici s kohoutkem antiquestore pixie crew studentsk媒 batoh barevn茅 bubliny usb datov媒 kabel micro usb c 2m 膷er…

  28. hermes

    This web site is really a walk-by means of for the entire information you wanted about this and didn抰 know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you抣l positively discover it.

  30. nike react

    I’m usually to running a blog and i really respect your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.

  31. roze snakeskin pumps sacha

    le chic kleedje blauw lego technic porsche 911 rsr 42096 repliche orologi contrassegno rolex replica da sogno orologio uomo acciaio nero quadrante bianco semplice carrera maxi t shirt collo stondato in viscosa. vestibilitè„¿ gucci . gucci cloth 涓婅 gucci…

  32. moncler

    After study just a few of the blog posts on your web site now, and I truly like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and will likely be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my web page as well and let me know what…

  33. mm6 maison margiela falda vaquera midi 970 blue

    dettagli su giacca adidas originals uomo nero strisce bianche cozy track cartera clè°©sica de cuero vintage para hombre grandes hombres carteras embragues bolso del organizador rose rose carhartt rosa soft soft soft summer canguro mujer bolso bugaboo mam…

  34. nike air vapormax

    Can I just say what a reduction to find somebody who really knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know the best way to deliver a difficulty to mild and make it important. More individuals have to read this and perceive this…

  36. dirndl gr 140

    warme hausschuhe herren preisvergleich dirndl traditionell lang damenschuhe silber 42 colch茫o conjugado casal christ herrenuhren fossil spannbettlaken baumwolle 诪砖讞拽 讻讚讜专住诇 爪祝 诪转谞驻讞 诇讘专讬讻讛 bestway 讚讙诐 52190 讞讜祝 讙讜专讚讜谉 转诇 讗讘讬讘 讬驻讜 讗转专 诪驻讛 驻讬讙讜诐 谞讬讬讚 拽讟谉…

  37. tags weekly levis mens loose fit casual cargo shorts

    ethnic wear for girls buy girls kids traditional dresses online im an american old man shirt hoodie girls dc comics wonder woman shield flip sequin long sleeve t shirt ivory girls winter coats 鈥?montkid inner fire blossom capri yoga pants cut price bla…

  38. brooks isle of wight bag

    pierre balmain zipped strap hi top sneakers men shoes pierre balmain shirts wholesale s zsy pinko white for women outlet wholesale ivory ruched satin clutch with crystal flower arcteryx mantis 10 things to check kappa yellow solid shorts price in india…

  39. 诪讜讙讝 诪砖讞拽讬诐 诪砖讞拽讬 驻注讜诇讛 讜住驻讜专讟 注诪讜讚 8

    讻讜讘注 诪爪讞讬讬讛 讬砖专讛 爪讘注讬 讛住讜讜讗讛 multicam chapeu safari meia cal莽a no frio blusa transparente preta desigual 讛讞砖诪讜谞讗讬诐 100 stretch blusen damen xxl in deutscher gr枚脽e marc o polo merino

  40. coach outlet store online

    I’m often to blogging and i actually admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and preserve checking for brand spanking new information.

  41. amazon seastar 绔舵吵姘寸潃 銉°兂銈?銉曘偅銉冦儓銉嶃偣

    tekerlekli paten spor ayakkabè°‹ barbie fashion friends bayan deri mont amazon 銉兗銉?銈?銈搞儯銈炽儮 銉曘儹銉笺儊銈?mode et jacomo 銉溿兗銉€銉笺偒銉冦儓銈姐兗 銉溿兗銉堛儘銉冦偗銉溿兗銉€銉?銉炪儶銉?t銈枫儯銉?/a> 銉掋儱銉炽儭銉?銉曘偅銉冦儓銉嶃偣 銉堛儸銉笺儖銉炽偘鐢ㄥ搧 銈点偆銈?s m l amazon furla 銉愩儍銈儜銉冦偗 2way浠曟 are piper 銉娿偆銈?銈广儖銉…

  43. foot locker adidas originals

    wei脽e prestos kids luxury turtleneck sweaters adidas ultra boost 19 rosa cliffs by bianco mountain donnes sandali adidas adipure adapt supreme champion felpa rosa supreme x air more uptempo red nike jordan 4 eminem vans old skool g dragon

  44. hermes belts

    I am often to blogging and i actually recognize your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for brand spanking new information.

  46. 褋芯蟹写邪薪懈械 褋邪泄褌芯胁. 褉邪蟹褉邪斜芯褌泻邪 褋邪泄褌邪 泻芯屑锌邪薪懈懈. 褋芯蟹写邪褌褜

    womens nike sale huarache hoopjordan puma en ingles nike brasilia xl backpack omega blue 写褍斜谢械薪泻邪 lacoste 芯褉懈谐懈薪邪谢 14 200 谐褉薪. 卸械薪褋泻邪褟 芯写械卸写邪 泻懈械胁

  47. curry 6 shoes

    There are definitely a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to deliver up. I provide the thoughts above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place t…

  48. marks and spencer pram suit snowsuit 12 18 months

    baby winter clothes 3 9 month old carters 2 pc fleece top and cotton pajama set penguinsold out baby pink faux leather waterfall silky short cardigan image titled get a toddler to wear winter clothes step 10 mano mano motosega adidas superstar dorate p…

  49. sockar med rutor happy socks strumpor sockar

    vestido curto canelado listrado preto e branco red faux leather skirt. nwt retro 盲rmlæžšs te l盲ngd party kl盲nning muslimska kl盲der online nordpol falketind 2 2 personers tunneltelt h盲r bjuds alla nybæžšrjare in till pride skate karkæžšt艖 disney charm shimano…

Comments are closed.