1963
Zukofsky (violin), Samuel Rhodes (viola), Fred Mills (trumpet), Nicholas Zumbro (piano), Charlotte Moorman (cello), Samuel Baron (flute), Joseph Byrd (percussion), MN (percussion). Conducted by Earle Brown. Work(s): Earle Brown, December, 1952 (1952). N.B. Charlotte Moorman organized this continuous performance event over May 11-12.
On May 11–12, 1963, Max Neuhaus performed in the centerpiece event of the Yam Festival, known as "Yam Day." This month-long festival (with "Yam" being "May" spelled backwards) was a cornerstone of the burgeoning Fluxus movement and the New York avant-garde
On May 11, 1963, Max Neuhaus participated in the historic "Yam Day" at Hardware Poets’ Playhouse (115 W. 54th Street, NYC). This was a central event of the Yam Festival, a month-long series of "happenings" and performances organized by Fluxus artists George Brecht and Robert Watts.
Organized by Charlotte Moorman, this segment of the festival ran continuously over May 11–12, 1963. It was a precursor to her later Annual Avant-Garde Festivals of New York.
This performance captures Neuhaus moving away from the "academic" percussion ensemble of Paul Price and into the Fluxus/Intermedia scene. His collaboration with Joseph Byrd (who later founded the experimental band ) and Earle Brown reflects his growing interest in indeterminate scores—works where the performer’s choice and perception are as important as the notes.