Michael Pugliese

Michael G. Pugliese was a composer, conductor and percussionist, died on the morning of 4 November 1997 at his home in Manhattan. He was 41. He toured with the musical ensemble of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, the composer John Cage and the road company of ''Jesus Christ Superstar.'' He also played with ensembles including the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Virtuosi. He was best known, however, as a proponent of new music. He produced the 12-hour ''Tribute to John Cage'' for WNYC radio in 1994. He recorded the premieres of two solos by Cage, ''Etudes Boreales'' and ''Ryoanji,'' which the composer then dedicated to Mr. Pugliese. He also performed the premieres of pieces by Robert Ashley, Wendy Chambers and David Tudor.