CAGE: (interview by Gena, 1982)

"The fact that people weren't accepting what I was doing indicated that I was inventing something. In fact, I developed the opinion that if my work is accepted, I must move on to the point where it isn't..I don't want to make big generalizations, but I've always tried to keep my music free of other concerns, such as making ends meet in terms of a livelihood, or pleasing someone"

 

CAGE ON FREEMAN ETUDES:
"We're now surrounded by very serious problems in the society, and we tend to think that the situation is hopeless....I think that this music, which is almost impossible, gives an instance of the practicality of the impossible."
(Pritchett LN, 1983)

 

KOWALKOWSKI ON FREEMAN ETUDES:
The Freeman Etudes represent a way of working that is refreshingly free from any governing forces. I find them so inspiring. 100 years from now these pieces will be considered a major collection of works for solo violin, like the Bach Sonatas. Already, Arditti and Nagos, two of the greatest living violinists have played them in solo recitals. Arditti plays them very fast, in about half the time as Nagos! That is the sign of a strong structure. Cage knew how to build pieces based on crypto-math, without
making it dull and cookie cutter, and I enjoy that.