28 JulRIP Merce Cunningham

Hello Friends,

Ralph here.

It was in 2005 that I served (with the amazing Margaret Lancaster) as co-contractor for the Rose Theater, Lincoln Center production of “Ocean”, a Cunningham-Culver-Tudor piece that was premiered in 1996 at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. I had played the 1996 premiere as well.

My old friend John Kennedy from my Spoleto days was contracting the piece in 1996, and he had called me to play then.

For the 2005 performances, John was kind enough to recommend me and Margaret to Andrew Culver, John Cage’s assistant and the brilliant composer who realized the score for “Ocean” after Mr. Cage’s passing.

Here’s a NY Times preview article about the 2005 event.

As I was quite occupied with my performance during both the 1996 and the 2005 presentations, I did not have much chance to speak to Mr Cunningham. But I remember him well — A glowing presence all around us, quiet and intent.

Neil and Dorothy joined me for the performances in 2005, as did our good friends Paul Brantley and John King (who was part of the Music Committee for the piece). How moved they and all my colleagues were by this monumental presentation! For my part, I had been challenged to open myself to a new world of colors, of spaces, of silence — that I had not known. Truly a gift to have twice played a part in this extraordinary piece.

Thank you, Mr. Cunningham, for teaching us.
Rest in peace.