Composer

:

Steve Reich

Genre

:

Electronic/Computer

Style

:

Electronic/Computer Music

Compose Date

:

1968

Average_duration

:

6:02

Pendulum Music is a minimalist composition by Steve Reich, composed in 1968. The piece was premiered on May 27, 1968, at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. The composition is a unique and experimental work that involves the use of swinging microphones as a musical instrument. The piece consists of a group of performers, each holding a microphone attached to a long cord. The microphones are set in motion by the performers, and as they swing back and forth, they create a series of feedback loops and rhythmic patterns. The performers gradually slow down the swinging of the microphones until they come to a stop, bringing the piece to a close. Pendulum Music is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is characterized by a rapid, pulsing rhythm, created by the swinging of the microphones. The second movement is slower and more meditative, with a more sustained sound. The third movement is more chaotic, with the performers allowing the microphones to swing freely, creating a cacophony of sound. The piece is notable for its use of chance and indeterminacy, as the performers have little control over the exact sounds that are produced. The swinging of the microphones creates a unique and unpredictable sound, making each performance of the piece different from the last. Overall, Pendulum Music is a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of what was considered music at the time. Its use of unconventional instruments and chance elements paved the way for the development of experimental and minimalist music in the years to come.

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