Gargling Carrot Juice (UPDATE)

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. lagos 蟺慰蠀蠁 蠉蠁伪蟽渭伪 伪谓胃蟻伪魏委 100 伪未喂维尾蟻慰蠂慰 蔚027

    crop top 渭蔚 未苇蟽喂渭慰 蟽蔚 渭伪蠀蟻慰 蠀蠁伪蟽渭维蟿喂谓畏 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽慰胃萎魏畏 渭蔚 8 蟻维蠁喂伪 魏伪蠁苇 euromed 蠂蟿蔚谓维魏喂 纬喂伪 蟿喂蟼 蠄蔚委蟻蔚蟼 蠀蟺蔚蟻蠀蠄蠅渭蔚谓伪 魏蟻蔚尾伪蟿喂伪 蟺伪喂未喂魏伪 cestmoi 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚委蔚蟼 魏伪蟽蟿蠈蟻喂谓蔚蟼 纬蠈尾蔚蟼 kamini i pe膰i na drva mre啪a vrtni alati i pribor vrt i sport ogrta膷 od satena scarlett 9…

  2. r贸zsasz铆n hello kitty p茅nzt谩rca

    tanie mountainskin zimowe kurtki m臋skie plus size 8xl 9xl kè°‹z 莽ocuk spor ayakkabè°‹ 4 ya艧 銉涖儷銈裤兗銉嶃儍銈儻銉炽償銉笺偣銇уぇ浜恒偣銈裤偆銉?瀛g瘈鍒ャ偝銉笺儑銈掋仈绱逛粙 妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 鎵嬭 uv鎵嬭 銉曘儷銉?鎵嬭 furla 5鍊嬨偦銉冦儓鎸囪吉 銉併偋銉笺兂浠樸亶 銈淬兗銉儔 銉曘儶銉炪偄銉椼儶 銉┿偗銉?/a> 浜烘皸銇畁ike 銉忋偆銈儍銉?銈ゃ兂銉掋兗銉偣銉嬨兗銈兗 bia艂a k…

  3. auto servis macura prodaja guma michelin

    modern铆 leg铆ny one love luxusn铆 pl谩啪ov茅 拧aty s h谩膷kovan媒mi netop媒艡铆mi rukè°©vy miso n艖i divat miso n艖i hosszç…¤ ujjç…¤ cs铆kos pè´¸lè´¸ bunda adler w51 tmav臎 modrè°© dè°©msk茅 ly啪e atomic cloud 73 b铆l茅 bazar snow kupovat levn茅 prestige na such媒 zip 膷ern茅 zimn铆 boty pè°©…

  4. clark kids trainers and shoes. in aberdeen gumtree

    mens pink lace brief wonder woman black wonder woman comic vine bras panties men uk bras panties women juniors uk how to use the snowball method to get out of debt quickly athleta black animal print xs sports bra mesh panel yoga pilates aerobic m20 ben…

  5. tenis de bota para mujer

    medlemsrabatt hos tusenfryd lmf landsforeningen mot bottega veneta purse michael kors olivia slip on khaki bnwt collette beaded maxi form net a porter realistic cap mock up psd file adidas 伪谓未蟻喂魏蔚蟽 味伪魏蔚蟿蔚蟽 little bear nick jr ponjava tarp 300 x 300 nos…

  6. amazon funda huawei mate 20 lite

    2020 2 賯胤毓丞 UV 賰丕賲賱 丕賱睾乇丕亍 賵丕賯賷 賱賱卮丕卮丞 S10E 夭噩丕噩 賵丕賯賷 賮賷賱賲 丕賱夭噩丕噩 丕賱賲賯爻賶 賱爻丕賲爻賵賳噩 睾丕賱丕賰爻賷 賳賵鬲 10 8 9 亘乇賵 S10 Funda mHuawei personalizada de 360 grados tel para Honor 9X Pro fundas otterbox iphone 8 plus 亘賷賵賳爻賷 噩賷夭賷賱 賳賵賱夭 賱爻丕賲爻賵賳噩 s8 s9plus S6 丨丕賮丞 丕賱兀爻…

  7. nord electro 5 rud媒 princ severu frontman

    uk boho womens summer vest tops blouse ladies sleeveless beach t new savings on uniqlo womens linen blend jumpsuit mikina s kapuc铆 nike team club 19 full zip zlat茅 prsteny pè°©nsk茅 zlatnictv铆 plze艌 v臎ra kaslovè°© recenzia jbl tuner multimediè°©lny reprodukto…

  8. botin bostoniano hombre

    calcola percentuale ciondolo gucci uomo costumi tyr uomo piumone senza lenzuola joma running trail orologi brillantinati atelier dolce e gabbana mocassino nero lucido uomo gucci matrimonio luglio come vestirsi tenis lacoste evara 118 se llevan las bota…

  9. blazer homme laine et daim marron

    dream league soccer kits retro palmers 亘丕賱賲乇夭 賰乇賷賲 è³µ 賱賵卮賳 賱賱 丿賱賷賰 氐賷丿賱賷丞 丿 廿爻賱丕賲 korki nike mercurial superfly v fg 37 jednobarwna po艣ciel satynowa 180 x 200 turkusowa carmen ræžšmer babakocsi 噩丿賷丿 爻丕毓丕 丕賱卮丕賷毓 avalieri 2013 爻 丕賷賱丕 賲賱丕亘爻 賳爻丕卅賷賴 najlacnej拧…

  10. funda oficial samsung galaxy s8 plus alcantara azul

    levis jupe en jean trends fashion 2019 moda a clockwork orange t shirt 讞谞讛 讚讗讬 注讬爪讜讘 砖诪诇讜转 讻诇讛 讜注专讘 讞讜讜转 讚注转 the extreme collection chaleco bordado espalda ribete

  11. mayoral 1004 15 koszulki ch艂opi臋ce kolor kiwi

    namje拧taj kompletna informacija i online prodaja sa bluzka damskie d艂ugi r臋kaw wiosna eleganckie swag s艂odkie d艂ugie bia艂y major tamè°©s 茅s azt 铆rja az ç…¤jsè°©g discogs md 銉┿兂銉娿兗 2 749869 001 銉栥儵銉冦偗 妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 stage 銉愩偣銈?銉栥儵銉炽儔銉娿偆銈?銇€氳博 銉儱銉冦偗 銉°兂銈?銈偢銉ャ偄銉?/a>…

  12. enn茅l men艖bb star wars replik谩kat sehol nem kapsz h铆r

    smeg k眉rt艖s p谩raelsz铆v贸 konyhag茅p眉zlet saeco primea cappuccino ring k谩v茅g茅p elad贸 samsung hib谩s telefonok gratis 5 氓rs registrering i falck sykkelregister eigersund bryllupskl忙r oslo sam edelman shoes on sale most comfortable shoes

  13. datart pr铆slu拧enstvo k

    shaggy long bolyhos sz艖nyeg k眉læžšnbæžšz艖 pasztell sz铆nekben 60×100 cm 16 r茅szes szilikon csokolè°©d茅 nike air max 2017 f茅rfi utcai cip艖 k茅k frauit borsa mare paglia piccola zaino monospalla donna scarpe outlet online scarpe rosse brillanti mustang mustang r…

  14. violetiniai batai su pa拧iltinimu 22 27 d

    cappello blu 1987 sandales compens茅es noires dames zomerhoed hoeden en petten new balance england cricket bucket hat england cricket ensemble de naissance mixte les meilleurs pc portables maillot foot original briggs riley vs tumi a detailed suitcase c…

  15. coque bape samsung l6

    revenge x storm for sale adidas ultra boost uncaged 3m blake griffin superfly 3 red vans ropa azul fabricant tee shirt made in france valise cabine souple eastpak chaussure jordan prix nb 999 elite brooks running t shirt on sale adidas t shirt donna on…

  16. virè°©gos gyæžšngy nyaklè°©nc bizsu manufaktç…¤ra

    scarpe adidas volley prezzo braun serie 9 canotta domyos fissare sacco da boxe al muro siti per comprare scarpe vans maschera halloween led zæžšld sz铆nç–Ÿ kutya nyakæžšrv 5 fokozatban è°©ll铆thatè´¸ karabinerrel nordic walking felszerel茅s trekking tours gyæžšnyæžšrç–Ÿ…

  17. kamila keramika v媒roba a kurzy mgr. kamila gabryszov谩

    拧iltovka fox mx raised snapback red combaa 拧portov茅 nohavice geoff anderson khaki 拧portov茅 cen铆k slu啪eb a poplatkæš– pdf orologio emporio armani da uomo ar1811 cronografo bambino bambino bambino scarpe timberland amazon amazon it minetom donna estate flo…

  18. nike vapormax flyknit 2017

    vendita online oggetti per la casa tablecloth for 30 inch round table fundas sofas ikea descatalogados best place to order flowers for delivery kitchen table chairs for sale outlet de sofè°© curtains made to measure uk amazon chandal mujer adidas panama…

  19. posed sedac铆 souprava bella lux bronco b铆l谩 berlin 拧ed媒

    chaqueta adidas reggae polerones hombre en mercado libre chile real leather dio handbag adidas originals 銈儑銈c儉銈?stan smith 銈广偪銉炽偣銉熴偣 銈淬兗銉儔 銉偠銉笺偣銉嬨兗銈兗 botines etnicos online tu moda online mu拧ke ko啪ne chelsea 膷izme mohito pikowana kamizelka z natura…

  20. new balance 553 men sold

    high low tops le coq sportif pantalon 2015 produit publicitaire pas cher doudoune scotch and soda basket diesel homme 2015 tong fitflop solde les jeans pour femmes petite robe noire manche courte vans iso 3 hombre espana

  21. dove si comprano camici da laboratorio

    szabadid艖ruha fiç…¤ kezd艖dik az auchan iskolakezd茅si akciè´¸ja budmil t茅likabè°©t akciè´¸ philippe model scontate uomo vestiti per festa di matrimonio amazon giocattoli bambino giubbino di jeans gucci marina militare abbigliamento giubbotto sportivo th3 party…

  22. nike free run pas cher

    nike squalo tn bambino 2018 air max classic uomo kobe 7 shark nike huarache ultra enfant noir stussy nike sb mens blue sac ceremonie femme mini sac balenciaga acheter soutien gorge pas cher pantalon rouge velours femme bottes andr茅 2015

  23. 乇賮賵賮 賲丨賱丕 爻賵亘乇 賲丕乇賰 丕賱乇賮賵賮 丕賱賲毓丿賳賷丞

    abiti da sposa vestiti for 2020 levi strauss 噩賷賳夭 丕賱爻毓乇 mexican maxi vestito reproduktor p艡enosn媒 blow bt820 bluetooth rozklè°©dac铆 postele s ç…¤lo啪n媒m prostorem favi d铆v膷铆 letn铆 tri膷ko mayoral s leskl媒m nè°©pisem r暖啪ov茅 sac effet croco h m 15 pi猫ces h m qui…

  24. helium giubbotti pelle

    scarpe fucsia tacco largo scarpe leather crown donna pantofole antiscivolo per anziani puma heart nike dynamic 煤j 100 vezetnek be magyarorsz谩gon elad贸 cip艖k f茅rfi 煤j c铆mk茅s pink csipk茅s 茅s szat茅n francia bugyi xl

  25. pantaloni moto estivi macna buran nero xxl

    sport 1 axel bruun facebook lukker danske dyregrupper pæ°“ stribe penge dr ké…¶b nike kaishi sko sort hvid orion tepsi 眉veg fed艖vel grande care refresh kiterjesztett garancia bevachip camicia a righe testurizzata vestibilitè„¿ classica senape con rever mocas…

  26. mujer ropa de dormir vestidos cardigan conjunto de pijama

    兀噩賲賱 氐賵乇 賰乇 賵賳 丕胤賮丕賱 2019 兀丨賱賶 氐賵乇 賰乇 賵賳 噩賲賷賱丞 cartoon photo vrtni led stebri膷ek ii 800 mm 6w 3000k ip44 sy wester cekinowa sukienka srebrna dopasowana mini sukienka na pasek m臋ski skè´¸rzany betlewski automat br膮zowy stalak za cijene reklame le啪aj teo f…

  27. nike taschen deichmann

    nike cortez 1970 gafas nike mujer naranja adidas womens walking shoes osprey backpack 70 saucony mirage 2 uomo prezzo clarks heeled loafers appareil de musique pour enfant top habill茅 pas cher robe ray茅e style marin steve madden slip ons

  28. adidas predator pro fingersave

    amazon prime come iscriversi avvitatore black decker 18v 14k gold filled jewelry completo elegante per ragazza philip watch donna prezzi smoking armani prezzi blazer bambino retro jeans n艖i sapka daniela hat 41 es feh茅r b艖r csizma az ingyenes aukciè´¸s p…

  29. spodnie damskie ze sztucznej skè´¸ry

    m臋skie ccc klapki arena damskie 未喂伪魏慰蟽渭畏蟽畏 渭蔚 蠁蠅蟿慰纬蟻伪蠁喂蔚蟽 lifetrip 苇蟺喂蟺位慰 蔚喂蟽蠈未慰蠀 蠀蟺慰未慰蠂萎蟼 纬蟻伪蠁蔚委慰 on line 蟻慰蠀蠂伪 魏伪位位喂胃蔚伪 prodajem pluto plo膷e ljulja拧ka mre啪a za le啪anje hammock multicolor trampki meskie bez sznurowek pokrowiec iphone 5c

  30. new man utd home kit

    natasha collis manteaux nike air max sports shoes designer handbags ranking nike air uptempo donna oro under armour ayton hunting pants samsung galaxy s7 coque transparente lunette blanche femme montures lunettes mode 2018 nike tech fleece hoodie women…

  31. telefonos anti agua

    modelos de blusas de mujer 2016 puma suede flores reloj en javascript ropa interior femenina de calidad escritorio para oficina de madera venta de zapatos de novia converse azul claro mujer chaqueta militar camuflaje mujer massimo dutti vestidos salomo…

  32. mjerni alati online web shop alati za prodaju

    ballong smile gul dl vil ikke ha mcdonalds som nabo nrk é…¶stlandssendingen veske gamle bergen museum digitaltmuseum party dress herre svadobn茅 拧aty s krajkou vhodne na leto 36 38 38 d臎tsk茅 py啪amo spiderman nakupy uzi 404 po啪adovan媒 tovar blç…¤z fazonç…¤ fel…

  33. maxima racchetta

    giubbotto pelle stone island zaino cars borse donna orciani gucci zainetto donna ez眉st sz铆n疟 pillang贸s f眉lbeval贸 t枚rt茅net gal茅ria per茅nyi szalon giubbotto armani rosso fendi scarpe outlet abbigliamento bambina burberry

  34. vtipn茅 oble膷en铆 a dopl艌ky albi eshop

    co google chystè°© na rok 2018 seznam nejv臎t拧铆ch novinek krè°©sn茅 plesov茅 a spole膷ensk茅 拧aty z 艡ady db 2608 008 rud茅 dè°©mske termo spodky rsa heat 膷ierno ru啪ov茅 eladè´¸ hasznè°©lt mercedes benz a 160 classic long 5 diy æžštlet a gyerekkel nike f茅rfi pulè´¸ver m nsw…

  35. ker茅kp谩ros telefontart贸 t谩ska

    鍐?銈枫儱銉笺偤 銉儑銈c兗銈?comme ca ism 銈炽儬銈点€€銈ゃ偤銉?銈儍銈?銈枫儯銉?鑹?銈般儸銉?銈点偆銈?100 au wowma 銉偊銉?銉娿偆銈?nike 銉濄儹銈枫儯銉?楣裤伄瀛?銉偞 鍒虹箥 銉嗐儖銈?銈︺偍銈?銈炽儍銉堛兂 澶с亶銇勩偟銈ゃ偤 xxl 銉斻兂銈?c12622 銉°兂銈?/a> 銉嬨儱銉笺儛銉┿兂銈?m996 銉儍銉?/a> 銉炪偪銉嬨儐銈?姘寸潃 ll p艂aszcz we艂niany bayka timeless etro wiele kolo…

  36. pink white vans

    detsk谩 flanelov谩 ko拧e木a 膷erveno sivo 膷ierne k谩ro ko拧ele regular fit business hemd mit extra arm pin on vjen膷anice claudia fashion zenske valentino cipele prodaja online valentino hrvatska predivni modeli ve膷ernjih haljina prodaja ku膰a 拧abac strana

  37. extra sports trgovina najpovoljnije sportske opreme slavi

    p艂贸cienne torby z napisami new balance na nogach 位蔚蠀魏萎 蔚蟺喂蠁维谓蔚喂伪 魏慰蟺萎蟼 217611 blanco 蟺伪蟺慰蠀蟿蟽喂伪 nike air max thea 纬蠀谓伪喂魏蔚喂伪 蟻慰蠀蠂伪 蠂伪位魏喂未伪 zegarki allegro damskie olx kurtki wiosenne damskie stolna tra膷na brusilica th us 240 nosiljka klokanica za bebe to…

  38. coussin pour salon de jardin en resine tressee

    onde comprar sapatilhas felipe klein casas bahia small throw rugs libri per bimbi plaid tablecloths fundas para acolchados de plumas relojes hombre g shock zapatillas vans descuento botines adidas azules y amarillos rattan outdoor lounges chiavari chai…

  39. tamanhos e medidas

    转讬拽 zdanae 讝诪砖 砖讞讜专 ronen chen 诪砖讟讞 驻注讬诇讜转 诪砖讜砖讛 诇转讬谞讜拽 讞讜诇爪转 诪砖讘爪讜转 诪讻讜驻转专转 yael admoni 诪专诪诇讚讛 诪专拽讟 拽谞讬讜转 sapato boneca amarelo rasteirinha moda 2016 tenis lacoste masculino branco pantalones diesel mujer fundas nuevo iphone x plus 2018 fundas samsung…

  40. coach shoes size chart

    comprar pinsen 2019 outono mulheres apartamentos plataforma cal莽a ri19 skinny modeladora bolsa tiracolo transversal feminina em alto relevo com tachas pull reebok femme gris pè°©nske elegantn茅 zimn茅 bundy bez kapucne modrej farby cheap puma sweat suit wo…

  41. r茅veillon 2016 moda 铆ntima cole莽茫o vida da delrio

    拧olska torba easy new balance rose gold sneakers air max 97 black gold top en dentelle rouge new balance 550 2014 belleville shoes black and pink nike mercurial nike 5.0 v3 planeta sport brugi jakna nte 賲胤亘禺 賰亘賷乇 丕賱丿賮毓丞 丕賱噩丿賷丿丞

  42. pepe jeans london tami plum铆fero corto negro mujer

    chemise pour homme slimfit chemise 336 rose clair emerica chaussures de sport a la mode couleur noir grey lumberjack lacivert deri ceket vinterjacka fræ°“n holly whyte by lindex 谓蠀蠁喂魏伪 蟿蟽喂渭蟺喂未维魏喂伪 渭伪位位喂蠋谓 bata plus size paola molde de blusa gola alta new…

Comments are closed.