- Additional Authors
- Shear, Nancy
- Behrman, David
- Cage, John
- Satie, Erik, 1866-1925.
- WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.), radio producer
- WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.), broadcaster
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation, donor
- Found In
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Description
- 2 streaming audio files (67 minutes total) : digital, stereo
- Summary
- Streaming file 1, side 1: Begins abruptly, excerpt from John Cage's Credo in us (1942), ca. 0:00-4:05; Merce Cunningham speaks with After eight host, [Nancy Shear], about corresponding with Cage over the score for Credo in us (1942), his collaborative dance with Jean Erdman; Cunningham speaks about Cage's use of the choreographic structure for Credo to create his percussion based composition; Cunningham's preference that the accompaniment to his works be called "music" rather than "sounds" as suggested by the host; Cunningham introduces David Tudor's Rainforest no. 1 (1968), announces the upcoming Merce Cunningham Dance Company performances at the Joyce Theater, and describes the Andy Warhol pillows that are props for his RainForest (1968); [recording break, ca. 12:28]; Cunningham speaks about how his dancers don't rely on the music in rehearsal and often first hear the music in performances; he speaks about how the composers work independently in creating the music for his works including how Cage often asks for the choreographic structures; Cunningham speaks about the revival of his Septet (1953); the music for Septet, Erik Satie's Trois morceaux en forme de poire (1903), ca. 20:05-32:08; Cunningham speaks about the suprise element in hearing the music for the first time during performance, especially in working with the live electronic music created by his Company musicians David Tudor and Takehisa Kosugi; how Kosugi and Tudor listen for acoustic sounds in each performance space while on tour; he speaks about touring venues and stage space especially the flexibility of his Events as performances in unique spaces; he speaks about his dance works on video, especially why he is interested in using video as another medium; Cunningham introduces and speaks about Cage's Roaratorio; an Irish circus on Finnegans Wake (1979), the music for his Roaratorio (1986); he speaks about his choreography for Roaratorio as well as the spaces where it can be performed; ends abruptly.
- Streaming file 2, side 2: Begins abruptly, Merce Cunningham continues to speak with host [Nancy Shear] about Roaratorio; [recording break, ca. 0:25]; Cunningham speaks about how his use of chance operations in choreography differ from improvisation; he speaks about his work being open to interpretation by an audience, as well as by his dancers; he speaks about accuracy in movement and choreographic notes; his opinion on the reproduction of his dance works and his legacy; he speaks about the pleasure he gains from dancing, the unique requirements of being a professional dancer, and ways that his aging body impact how he choreographs; Cunnningham introduces David Behrman's Interspecies smalltalk, music for his Pictures (1984); Shear announces the upcoming Merce Cunningham Dance Company performances at the Joyce Theater; Interspecies smalltalk, ca. 11:00-20:31.
- Uniform Title
- After eight (Radio program)
- Alternative Title
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection. Audio materials.
- Subject
- Genre/Form
- Classical music radio programs.
- Modern dance music.
- Radio interviews.
- Note
- Contains an interview with Merce Cunningham by Nancy Shear on After eight (Radio program) broadcast on WNYC radio.
- Title and location provided by cataloger based on typed and handwritten notes on original container and cassette, and audition. Date provided by cataloger based on performances mentioned in the recording.
- Typed note on original container: "WNYC Interview with M.C. excerpt from 'Creto [Credo] in Us'". Handwritten note on original cassette: "Dub of "After Eight" Merce Cunningham". Printed label on original cassette: "WNYC ; AM83 ; FM94 ; TV31 ; [address] ; C92".
- Sound quality is good.
- Access (note)
- Patrons can access streaming audio only on site at NYPL Research Libraries.
- Source (note)
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation
- Linking Entry (note)
- Forms part of the Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Call Number
- *LTC-A 1449
- OCLC
- 914477088
- Author
Cunningham, Merce, interviewee.
- Title
Interview with Merce Cunningham : on After eight (Radio program), WNYC radio, 1988-02 / hosted and interviewed by Nancy Shear.
- Publisher
[probably February, 1988?].
- Playing Time
004530 002031
- Type of Content
performed music
spoken word
- Type of Medium
audio
- Type of Carrier
audiocassette
online resource
- Digital File Characteristics
audio file
- Event
Broadcast on WNYC FM, New York, NY, [1988 February?].
- Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming audio only on site at NYPL Research Libraries.
- Original Version
Archival original: (1 audio cassette (67 minutes) : analog) in *LTC-A 1449.
- Linking Entry
Forms part of the Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Local Note
Transferred from original analog cassette by George Blood Audio on March 26, 2015; two preservation files were created based on cassette sides.
- Source
Gift; Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation, 2011-2012.
- Connect to:
- Added Author
Shear, Nancy, host.
Shear, Nancy, interviewer.
Container of (work): Behrman, David. Interspecies smalltalk.
Container of (work): Cage, John. Credo in us. Selections.
Container of (work): Satie, Erik, 1866-1925. Morceaux en forme de poire.
WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.), radio producer.
WNYC (Radio station : New York, N.Y.), broadcaster.
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation, donor.
- Added Title
After eight (Radio program)
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection. Audio materials.
- Found In:
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Research Call Number
*LTC-A 1449