Suite by Chance

dance by Cunningham

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July 14, 2026

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"Suite by Chance" is a 1953 dance piece choreographed by Merce Cunningham. Cunningham developed a technique called "choreography by chance," where movements are sequenced randomly, such as by tossing a coin. In "Suite by Chance," the movement patterns themselves were created using these chance methods. This work was also notable for being the first modern dance performed to an electronic score, composed by Christian Wolff. Cunningham aimed to create dance that was about movement itself, independent of narrative or emotional expression, often collaborating with composer John Cage on his works.12

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Merce Cunningham
…was thus determined, and in Suite by Chance (1953) the movement patterns themselves were so constructed. Suite by Chance was also the first modern dance performed to an electronic score, which was commissioned from American experimental composer Christian Wolff. Symphonie pour un homme seul (1952; later called Collage) was performed…
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…was thus determined, and in Suite by Chance (1953) the movement patterns themselves were so constructed. Suite by Chance was also the first modern dance performed to an electronic score, which was commissioned from American experimental composer Christian Wolff. Symphonie pour un homme seul (1952; later called Collage) was performed…
Read More