Cut and Splice 2011

Robert Worby presents performances from this year's Cut & Splice Festival, co-curated by Hear And Now and Sound And Music at the ICA in London this week. This year's theme is Collectives, and features performances by Jennifer Walshe's Grupat collective, and the Wandelweiser collective, which includes composer/performers Michael Pisaro, Eva-Maria Houben and Antoine Beuger. Wandelweiser music is about "the evaluation and integration of silence rather than an ongoing carpet of never-ending sounds." John Cage is a figure of central importance to them, especially the work featured in this week's instalment of the Hear and Now 50: Cage's legendary "silent" piece, 4'33" .
Artist Tacita Dean describes filming Cage's partner Merce Cunningham performing a new dance solo to the work; Richard Bernas puts the piece into the context of the 1950s New York art scene; plus an archive recording of Cage himself explaining some of the ideas that led him to compose a piece for a performer who makes no sound.

Ukeoirn O'Connor: One Song
Jennifer Walshe (voice) 2’05”

The Dowager Marchylove: The Wasistas of Thereswhere
Jennifer Walshe (voice) 15’34”

John Cage: 2’52”
A unique realisation for radio by Robert Worby and Felix Carey 2’52”

Michael Pisaro: melody, silence
Michael Pisaro (guitar) 16’05”

Detleva Verens: Scintillia
Jennifer Walshe (voice) 4’32

Violetta Mahon: Dream Diaries
Ensemble Ascolta 16’53”