Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1991

Average_duration

:

43:29

One8 is a composition by John Cage, which was composed in 1991. The piece was premiered on October 12, 1991, at the Festival d'Automne in Paris, France. One8 is a solo piano piece that consists of eight movements, each of which is characterized by a different set of instructions for the performer. The first movement of One8 is marked "very slow," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very sustained." The second movement is marked "slow," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short." The third movement is marked "moderately slow," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short, with a slight accent." The fourth movement of One8 is marked "moderate," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short, with a slight accent, and with a slight pause between each tone." The fifth movement is marked "moderately fast," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short, with a slight accent, and with a slight pause between each tone, with a slight increase in tempo." The sixth movement of One8 is marked "fast," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short, with a slight accent, and with a slight pause between each tone, with a slight increase in tempo, and with a slight increase in volume." The seventh movement is marked "very fast," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very short, with a slight accent, and with a slight pause between each tone, with a slight increase in tempo, with a slight increase in volume, and with a slight increase in dynamic range." The final movement of One8 is marked "very slow," and the performer is instructed to play "single tones, very soft, very sustained, with a slight pause between each tone, and with a slight decrease in dynamic range." Overall, One8 is a composition that challenges the performer to explore the nuances of sound and silence, and to create a unique interpretation of the piece based on the instructions provided by the composer. The piece is characterized by its minimalist approach to music, and its emphasis on the subtle variations in tone, tempo, and volume that can be achieved through careful attention to detail.

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