John Cage
Four Solos for Voice
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Composer:John CageGenre:ChoralStyle:ChoralCompose Date:1989Average_duration:15:03Four Solos for Voice is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. The piece was composed in 1957 and premiered on May 15, 1958, at the Merce Cunningham Dance Company's studio in New York City. The composition consists of four movements, each of which is a solo for a different voice type: soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and bass. The first movement, "Aria," is a solo for soprano voice. It is characterized by a series of short, disconnected phrases that are separated by silences. The phrases are not meant to be sung in a particular order, and the performer is free to choose which phrases to sing and in what order. The result is a highly individualized performance that is different each time it is performed. The second movement, "Mélodie," is a solo for mezzo-soprano voice. It is similar to the first movement in that it consists of short, disconnected phrases separated by silences. However, the phrases in this movement are longer and more lyrical than those in the first movement. The third movement, "Chanson," is a solo for tenor voice. It is characterized by a series of short, melodic phrases that are repeated and varied throughout the movement. The phrases are accompanied by a piano, which plays a simple, repetitive accompaniment. The fourth and final movement, "Chant," is a solo for bass voice. It is the most complex of the four movements and is characterized by a series of long, sustained notes that are interrupted by short, staccato phrases. The performer is instructed to sing the sustained notes in a variety of ways, including with different vowel sounds and at different dynamic levels. Overall, Four Solos for Voice is a highly experimental composition that challenges traditional notions of melody, harmony, and form. It is a prime example of Cage's interest in indeterminacy and chance operations, as the performer is given a great deal of freedom in interpreting and performing the piece.More....
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