Composer

:

Morton Feldman

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1946

Average_duration

:

2:00

Morton Feldman's 'Only' is a composition for solo piano that was composed in 1961. The piece premiered on May 23, 1961, at the New School for Social Research in New York City, with David Tudor as the pianist. 'Only' is a single movement work that lasts approximately 45 minutes. The piece is characterized by its sparse and delicate textures, with long silences punctuated by isolated notes and chords. Feldman's use of silence is a defining feature of the piece, with the pianist often pausing for several seconds between notes or phrases. The piece is also notable for its use of microtonality, with the pianist required to play notes that fall between the standard twelve-tone scale. This creates a sense of ambiguity and instability in the music, as the listener is never quite sure where the next note will fall. Despite its minimalistic and austere qualities, 'Only' is a deeply expressive work that requires a high degree of sensitivity and nuance from the performer. The pianist must carefully shape each note and phrase, creating a sense of ebb and flow that gives the music its emotional power. Overall, 'Only' is a landmark work in the history of minimalist music, and a testament to Feldman's unique and visionary approach to composition. Its spare textures and use of silence continue to influence contemporary composers to this day.

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