Answer to Question 1
John Cage was a West Coast composer and a student of Henry Cowell.
sought new sounds from the piano.
prepared piano
modifying the sound of the piano by muting or damping the strings with various objects
Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano
considered the father of chance music
4'33'' (1952)
Through this piece where the performer or performers sit silently on stage for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, Cage asked,
Why should music be different form the sounds of life?
Should we not open our ears to every possible kind of sound and every possible sound conjunction?
Answer to Question 2
d