Mastodon John Cage, Frank Scheffer, Nikolaus Lehnhoff & The Ring in 4.24 Minutes. - The Wagnerian

John Cage, Frank Scheffer, Nikolaus Lehnhoff & The Ring in 4.24 Minutes.

Written By The Wagnerian on Monday 10 July 2017 | 5:01:00 pm


In 1987 John Cage commissioned Frank Scheffer to record Nikolaus Lehnhoff's Ring at the Bayerische Staatsoper. Of course, being both Cage and Scheffer this was not to be a straightforward recording. Instead, the entire cycle was to take the form of a short experimental film lasting only 4.24 minutes. Using single frame technique, Scheffer referred to the I Ching to decide, by chance, when to take each single frame. This fascinating recording can be seen below.