Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1940

Average_duration

:

7:31

John Cage's "Second Construction" is a percussion quartet composed in 1940. It premiered on May 15, 1940, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The piece is divided into four movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement begins with a solo for the maracas, which is then joined by the other instruments. The players use a variety of techniques, including striking, shaking, and scraping the instruments, to create a complex and layered texture. The movement ends with a series of rapid, staccato notes played on the xylophone. The second movement features a solo for the tom-toms, which is then joined by the other instruments. The players use a variety of mallets and sticks to create a range of sounds, from deep, resonant tones to sharp, percussive attacks. The movement ends with a series of soft, sustained notes played on the gongs. The third movement is a duet for the vibraphone and the bass drum. The vibraphone player uses a bow to create a sustained, singing tone, while the bass drum player uses a soft mallet to create a gentle, pulsing rhythm. The movement gradually builds in intensity, with the other instruments joining in to create a dense, swirling texture. The fourth and final movement is a fast, rhythmic dance. The players use a variety of instruments, including cowbells, wood blocks, and tambourines, to create a lively, syncopated groove. The movement ends with a series of rapid, cascading notes played on the snare drum. Overall, "Second Construction" is a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with percussion instruments. Cage's use of unconventional techniques and his emphasis on texture and rhythm paved the way for future generations of percussion composers.

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