Research Catalog

A kind of anarchy Merce Cunningham and music.

Title
A kind of anarchy [videorecording] : Merce Cunningham and music.
Publication
1989.

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Moving imageUse in library *MGZIDVD 5-469Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance

Details

Additional Authors
  • Amirkhanian, Charles.
  • Cage, John.
  • Kosugi, Takehisa, 1938-
  • Mumma, Gordon, 1935-
  • Pugliese, Michael.
  • Tudor, David, 1926-1996.
  • Aloff, Mindy, 1947-
  • Bernstein, Michael André, 1947-
  • Hass, Robert.
  • Vanderbeek, Stan.
  • University of California, Berkeley.
Found In
Merce Cunningham archive.
Description
1 videodisc (NTSC) (124 min.) : sd., col.; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
  • This disc contains recordings (one complete and one incomplete) of two panel discussions that took place during the symposium Celebrating Merce Cunningham at the University of California, Berkeley. The first panel, titled A kind of anarchy, features composer/musicians who collaborated with Cunningham discussing their own music and their work with the Cunningham company. The panelists speak about how their music has been affected by working with dancers and with other musicians in an ensemble. They discuss aspects of live electronic music vs. acoustic music. A short film by Stanley Vander Beek, documenting performances of the work Variations V, is shown. The composers discuss the score for Variations V and the difficulties of performing the work on tours. Michael Pugliese discusses his new score for August pace, titled Peace talks. The panelists share anecdotes about their work for the Cunningham company, including Events and touring experiences; and discuss the afterlife of the music created for Cunningham's performances. The panelists answer questions from the audience (the questions are inaudible). John Cage discusses audience reactions to his work, including Voiceless essay; his view of the statement that "anything goes" in music; and his attitude towards melody and harmony. The panelists discuss Cunningham's reactions to their music.
  • The second panel is titled Rearrangements of all sorts: a consideration of Merce Cunningham's work in relation to modernism in the arts and postwar American culture. Only the first 20 min. of the panel appear on the disc. Paul Alpers, director of Berkeley's Center for Humanities, introduces the panel. Moderator Michael André Bernstein poses the questions why dance is a central concern in modern art and why Merce Cunningham in particular is important. Mindy Aloff addresses these questions, discussing dance's appeal for intellectuals and Cunningham's theatrical qualities. Robert Hass discusses his reaction to his first experience seeing the Cunningham company. The recording ends abruptly.
Series Statement
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection
Uniform Title
Variations V (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Subject
  • Cunningham, Merce
  • Cunniingham, Merce > Friends and associates
  • Cage, John
  • Pugliese, Michael
  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • Variations V (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
  • Electronic music
  • Avant-garde (Music)
  • Choreographers > United States > 20th century
Genre/Form
  • Panel discussions.
  • Video.
Event (note)
  • Videotaped in Wheeler Auditorium at the University of California, Berkeley, on Sept. 19 and 21, 1989.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of the Merce Cunningham archive.
Contents
Sept. 19: A kind of anarchy (101 min.) -- Sept. 21: Rearrangements of all sorts (23 min.)
Call Number
*MGZIDVD 5-469
OCLC
NYPG05-F11207
Title
A kind of anarchy [videorecording] : Merce Cunningham and music.
Imprint
1989.
Country of Producing Entity
U.S.
Series
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection
Performer
A kind of anarchy. Moderator: Charles Amirkhanian. Panelists: John Cage, Takehisa Kosugi, Gordon Mumma, Michael Pugliese, David Tudor.
Rearrangements of all sorts. Moderator: Michael André Bernstein. Panelists: Mindy Aloff, Stanley Cavell, Robert Hass, David Vaughan.
Event
Videotaped in Wheeler Auditorium at the University of California, Berkeley, on Sept. 19 and 21, 1989.
Linking Entry
Forms part of the Merce Cunningham archive.
Local Note
For a complete recording of Rearrangements of all sorts, see *MGZIDVD 5-471.
Added Author
Amirkhanian, Charles. Moderator
Cage, John.
Kosugi, Takehisa, 1938-
Mumma, Gordon, 1935-
Pugliese, Michael.
Tudor, David, 1926-1996.
Aloff, Mindy, 1947-
Bernstein, Michael André, 1947- Moderator
Hass, Robert.
Vanderbeek, Stan. Director
University of California, Berkeley.
Added Title
Variations V (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
Found In:
Merce Cunningham archive.
Research Call Number
*MGZIDVD 5-469
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