"I've Got a Secret" (03:31)

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John Cage performs "Water Walk." He considers music the production of sound and laughter preferable to tears. (Credits)

Akademie der Kunste Preparation (02:22)

Steffen Schleiermacher assembles instruments for Cage's retrospective. Modern music should introduce sounds never before considered beautiful. Individuals describe how they learned of Cage's music.

Cage's Retrospective (02:02)

Steffen Schleiermacher plays the piano, bathtub, radio, and other unconventional musical instruments at the Akademie der Kunste.

Cage's Career Beginnings (03:30)

Any sound can be used in a musical composition. A quartet plays seashells and tin cans. Cage describes why Arnold Schoenberg thought that he would fail as a composer.

First Compositions (03:14)

Schleiermacher shops for unconventional materials to play a composition. Cage collaborates on a composition with Merce Cunningham.

"Edition Peters" (04:30)

To generate income, Cage writes musical scores, creates commissions, and makes public appearances. "Sonatas and Interludes" incorporates a piano modified with screws and bolts. Henry David Thoreau inspires "Songbooks."

"Chance Operations" (06:51)

Cage performs piano and percussion compositions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A computer program dictates edits for a score. Christian Wolff gives Cage a copy of the "I Ching."

Life on the Farm (07:16)

After Cage moves to rural New York, he becomes interested in mycology. He composes pieces involving plants and trees. Cage encompasses the environment and natural world to create a composition.

Artistic Concept (03:52)

Most artists possess an aesthetic prejudice when they create a work. William Anastasi describes his inspiration and creative process behind "Bababad."

"Ryoan-ji" (05:29)

Inspired by the Zen garden, Cage creates visual artworks and compositions. Japan considers him an important composer.

Food Influences Art (02:19)

Friends recall Cage's awareness of sound in the kitchen. Yoko Ono sends him his first macrobiotic cookbook to help with arthritis.

"Freeman Etudes" (02:49)

Irvine Arditti performs one of Cage's compositions. Despite not giving direction to recordings, Cage always selects the correct performers.

"Detail of Contingency" (01:37)

Anastasi recalls playing chess with Cage daily. Dove Bradshaw reflects on her relationship with Cage and creating the composition.

Cage's Later Career (05:41)

Bradshaw discusses Cage's dislike of improvisation; performers should follow the score exactly. The composer incorporates sound that does not change.

Credits: John Cage: Journeys in Sound (01:19)

Credits: John Cage: Journeys in Sound