60 years have passed since John Cage, an American composer, poet, and musical theorist, who took the world by surprise with the composition of 4’33”. Throughout the entire score, this three-movement piece is marked with the musical term tacet, which indicates silence.
Now in the 20th century, Berlin-based author Yoko Tawada and jazz pianist Aki Takase will dare to take on the challenge of contemplating silence and stillness in the contemporary world where various sounds, voices, and words overflow, and form a new space in this event, now in its ninth year. A collaboration between poetry and music under the theme of silence and coincidence is also planned in the workshop.
About the performers
Yoko Tawada
Poet and author Yoko Tawada is a graduate of Waseda University. With works published in both Japanese and German, she has won a number of literary prizes such as the Akutagawa Award, the Tanizaki Prize, and the Tsubouchi Shoyo Award in Japan, and the Kleist Prize in Germany.
Aki Takase
Starting with Europe and the United States, Aki Takase is a musician who performs internationally. Her performance centered around jazz and improvisation is highly acclaimed worldwide, and she is well-known to be a leading figure in contemporary jazz.
Date and time
Performance of 4’33”
November 15 (Thurs), 2018
18:30 – 20:30 (Doors open at 18:00)
Workshop “Words and Music” Volume 9
November 16 (Fri), 2018
16:30 – 18:30 (Doors open at 16:00)
Venue
Ono Auditorium
B2F Building 27, Waseda campus
1-6-1 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Admission
Free
No reservation required
200 seats available on a first-come-first-served basis
(Children under elementary school age are not permitted)
Contact information
Professor Miho Matsunaga’s Office: 03-5286-3637
Waseda University Cultural Affairs Division: 03-5272-4783 (Available from 9:00 – 17:00 on Mon. – Fri.)
Organized by
Waseda University Cultural Affairs Division
Global Japanese Studies Model Unit of the Top Global University Project
Professor Miho Matsunaga’s Office, Creative Writing and Criticism track of Waseda University School of Culture, Media and Society