Origins of a Form: Acoustical Exploration, Science and Incessancy

John Cage’s use of chance operations coupled with David Tudor’s configurations of found electronic devices formed a radical departure in twentieth-century music composition and performance. Inspired by this collaboration, author-composer Lucier, along with composers Robert Ashley, David Behrman and Gordon Mumma, formed the Sonic Arts Union, a live electronic music ensemble devoted to the performance of each other’s works. The author used scientific experiments, as well as audio test equipment, to compose works that explored the natural characteristics of sound. Along with certain other composers, including Robert Ashley, Tom Johnson, James Tenney and Steve Reich, who created works in which simple procedures yielded complex results, the author helped create a new musical form.