I could not accept the academic idea that the purpose of music was communication, because I noticed that when I conscientiously wrote something sad, people and critics were often apt to laugh. I determined to give up composition unless I could find a better reason for doing it than communication. I found this answer from Gira Sarabhai, an Indian singer and tabla player: The purpose of music is to sober and quiet the mind, thus making it susceptible to divine influences. I also found in the writings of Ananda K. Coomaraswammy that the responsibility of the artist is to imitate nature in her manner of operation. I became less disturbed and went back to work.http://www.newalbion.com/artists/cagej/autobiog.html

Summary

John Cage, an influential composer and musician, once questioned the conventional belief that the purpose of music is communication. He observed that sometimes people would laugh when he tried to convey sadness through his compositions. This dilemma led him to explore a new reason for creating music. He discovered an answer from Gira Sarabhai, an Indian musician, who believed that music exists to calm and clear the mind so that it can be open to the influence of divinity. Additionally, Ananda K. Coomaraswammy's writings suggested that the artist's role is to imitate nature's manner of operation. These ideas provided Cage with a new perspective, guiding him to continue his artistic work with a sense of peace and purpose.

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