1O1 (1988)

One of the largest of Cage’s “number” pieces, 1O1, as the title suggests is for one hundred and one performers.  There is no full score, only a set of parts, and there is no conductor, the performers are guided through the performance by chronometers. They are given notes to play, but they are not told exactly when to play them.  There is a time bracket within which they are to play any given note.

The orchestra is divided into three groups, each producing a different kind of music.  The strings, along with the clarinets and flutes, play sustained tones, quietly and full of imperfections.  The brass and double reed instruments interrupt twice with a blast of sound, at the beginning of the piece and once near the end.  The percussion instruments, some of them quite exotic, play notes scattered throughout the duration of the work.  While this work is not to be conducted, it is recommended that the conductor coach the players at rehearsals. The work was first performed on April 6, 1989, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa conducting.