Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1992

Average_duration

:

24:32

One10 is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. It was composed in 1992 and premiered on October 17, 1992, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The composition is a part of Cage's late works, which are characterized by his interest in silence, chance operations, and indeterminacy. One10 is a solo percussion piece that is performed on a single instrument, which can be any object that produces sound. The performer is instructed to play the instrument for a duration of ten minutes, during which they are free to explore the sound possibilities of the instrument. The score consists of a single page with the instruction "One10: for any instrument or combination of instruments." The composition is divided into ten movements, each lasting one minute. The performer is free to choose the order in which they play the movements, and they are also free to repeat any movement as many times as they wish. The movements are notated with numbers, and each movement has a different character and mood. The first movement is characterized by silence, and the performer is instructed to play only when they feel like it. The second movement is more active, with the performer playing short, sharp sounds. The third movement is more contemplative, with the performer playing long, sustained sounds. The fourth movement is more rhythmic, with the performer playing a steady beat. The fifth movement is more chaotic, with the performer playing a variety of sounds at different volumes. The sixth movement is more meditative, with the performer playing soft, sustained sounds. The seventh movement is more playful, with the performer playing short, staccato sounds. The eighth movement is more intense, with the performer playing loud, aggressive sounds. The ninth movement is more sparse, with the performer playing only a few sounds. The final movement is characterized by silence, with the performer instructed to stop playing when they feel like it. Overall, One10 is a composition that emphasizes the performer's creativity and freedom. The use of chance operations and indeterminacy allows for a wide range of interpretations and performances, making each performance unique. The composition also reflects Cage's interest in silence and the exploration of sound possibilities, which are central themes in his late works.

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