John CAGE
“Freeman etudes books 3 & 4”

Reisued. By Irvine Arditti, violin. This CD presents the first recording of the second half of John Cage’s Freeman Etudes for violin. Those familiar with the previously-released volume of this work will already know what to expect: the bewildering complexity of the Etudes and the astonishing virtuosity of Irvine Arditti’s performance. Convinced that the later, more complex etudes were unplayable, Cage abandoned work on the Freeman Etudes in 1980, after completing the first sixteen and beginning the eighteenth Etude. It wasn’t until 1990, after hearing Irvine Arditti’s blistering performances that Cage was encouraged to complete the cycle with the last two books of sixteen etudes. Considering his role in the history of the Freeman Etudes, it is only fitting that Arditti should be the first to record them. This is the second release with Irvine Arditti in his traversal of The Complete Works for Violin by John Cage for Mode Records. Released 1989.