The first piece in the series is dedicated to David Tudor and was a belated birthday present.
The score consists of two sheets of transparent plastic, one blank, the other marked with 42 identical circles.
Isolated circles are then removed, and the rest are interpreted according to complex rules explained in the score.
Cage does not specify the performers' actions, but notes that these can include noticing or responding to "environmental changes".
Variations IV is intended for any number of players producing any sounds by any means, "with or without other activities."
This work has a score which is simply a description of the first performance, which included electronics, dancers, and other elements.
Part of the setup for the work included light beams which triggered sounds from the electronics when interrupted by the motions of the dancers.