Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1990

Average_duration

:

20:02

One5 is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. It was composed in 1990 and premiered on October 20, 1991, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The piece is a solo work for a single performer playing a bowed cymbal. One5 is divided into five movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement is marked by a slow and steady tempo, with the performer using a soft bow to create a sustained and ethereal sound. The second movement is more dynamic, with the performer using a harder bow to create a more percussive and rhythmic sound. The third movement is marked by a return to the slow and steady tempo of the first movement, with the performer using a soft bow to create a delicate and fragile sound. The fourth movement is the most intense and aggressive of the five, with the performer using a hard bow to create a harsh and abrasive sound. The final movement is a return to the slow and steady tempo of the first and third movements, with the performer using a soft bow to create a peaceful and meditative sound. One5 is characterized by Cage's use of chance operations and indeterminacy. The performer is given a set of instructions, but the exact sounds produced are left up to chance. This creates a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity in the performance, as the performer must react to the sounds they produce in the moment. Overall, One5 is a haunting and introspective work that showcases Cage's unique approach to composition. Its use of chance operations and indeterminacy creates a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity, while its slow and steady tempo and delicate sound create a meditative and introspective atmosphere.

More....