The famous choreographer Merce Cunningham, who was longtime partner of composer John Cage, died last Sunday at his Manhattan home. He was 90 years old.

Together with Martha Graham and George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham is considered as one of the most important innovators of modern dance. It was John Cage who encouraged him to start creating his own ballets.

Cunningham's en Cage’s method to create choreography and composition completely independent of each other was revolutionary and influential. It was only during the premiere of a piece that dance, music and scenes became one as ‘by accident’. This was completely in line with John Cage's composing method, in which chance operations were an important aspect.

[source: www.nrc.nl]