John Cage Collection

The John Cage Collection documents the life and work of John Cage (1912-1992), one of the twentieth century's most revolutionary and influential composers. The collection includes thousands of letters by and to Cage from the late 1940s through the end of his life, manuscripts by various composers collected by Cage for his book Notations, scrapbooks, and other materials.

Organization

The John Cage Collection is organized into five series and two sub-series.

Series
Brief Description

Status/Access

I. Correspondence, 1909-1993; n.d.

Letters, documents, and other correspondence to and from Cage

In process; open to researchers on a limited basis
II. Notations Project, 1884-1990 (bulk 1960-1969); n.d.
  • Sub-series 1: Manuscripts
  • Sub-series 2: Correspondence

Music manuscripts by 274 composers collected by Cage for his book, Notations (New York: Something Else Press, 1969); related correspondence

Series II Finding Aid
III. Scores, 1914-1975; n.d. Various music manuscripts in Cage’s possession Series III Finding Aid
IV. Scrapbooks, 1917-1951; n.d. Nine scrapbooks with photographs and other records of Cage's childhood and formative years Unprocessed; not available
V. Ephemera, 1909-1995; n.d.

Wide variety of items collected by Cage, including programs, articles, books, clippings, and other materials

Unprocessed; not available

Using the John Cage Collection

Processed series are available to Northwestern students, faculty, and visiting researchers for on-site examination by appointment and in accordance with the Policy for Using Rare Music Library Materials.

Northwestern University Music Library
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, Illinois 60208

Phone: (847) 491-3434
Fax: (847) 467-7574
musiclibrary@northwestern.edu

Last updated: Jan. 4, 2008