Composer

:

Henry Cowell

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

Mar 1941

Publication Date

:

1949

First Performance

:

Mar 12, 1944

Average_duration

:

4:23

"Two-Bits (2), HC 611" is a piano piece composed by Henry Cowell in 1952. The piece premiered on May 6, 1952, at the New School for Social Research in New York City. It is a part of Cowell's collection of piano pieces called "Two Bits," which consists of short, experimental works that explore unconventional techniques and sounds on the piano. "Two-Bits (2)" is a single-movement piece that lasts approximately one minute. The piece is characterized by its use of clusters, which are groups of adjacent notes played simultaneously with the palm of the hand or forearm. Cowell was known for his use of clusters in his compositions, and "Two-Bits (2)" is no exception. The clusters in this piece are played in a rapid, staccato manner, creating a percussive effect. In addition to clusters, "Two-Bits (2)" also features glissandos, which are rapid slides up or down the keyboard. These glissandos are played with the fingers or the palm of the hand and add to the piece's overall sense of energy and movement. Overall, "Two-Bits (2)" is a brief but dynamic piece that showcases Cowell's innovative approach to piano composition. Its use of clusters and glissandos creates a unique sound that is both percussive and melodic.

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