CAGE, JOHN & WOLFF, CHRISTIAN - Cage, John & Wolff, Christian (Sealed) (LP)

John Cage and Christian Wolff's self-titled 1962 LP was an early showcase of both 20th century composer's experimental chops, and is highly regarded as some of their finest work. Cage's piece, which spans the whole of side 1, was originally composed in 1960, and like many of his pieces, would never be performed the same way twice. It involves the overlaying of transparencies to create the "score", while performers manipulate phonographic cartridges in a variety of ways to create amplified sound. To add to the effect, this particular performance is actually the superimposition of four performances. In all, it is a truly groundbreaking piece of 20th century classical. Wolff's side, while less extreme, is equally innovative, and a window into his particular pointillist vision of music.