Composer

:

Frederic Rzewski

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Piece

Compose Date

:

1972

Average_duration

:

18:15

"Coming Together for speaker" is a composition by Frederic Rzewski, an American composer and pianist. The piece was composed in 1971 and premiered the same year in New York City. It is a minimalist work that features a spoken text, which is repeated and gradually transformed throughout the piece. The composition consists of a single movement, which is approximately 17 minutes in length. The text is taken from a letter written by Sam Melville, a political activist who was incarcerated at Attica Correctional Facility in New York. The letter describes the conditions of the prison and the frustrations of the inmates. The piece begins with a simple, repetitive piano accompaniment, which gradually builds in intensity as the speaker begins to recite the text. The speaker's voice is amplified and distorted, creating a sense of urgency and agitation. As the piece progresses, the text is repeated and manipulated, with words and phrases being emphasized or repeated in different ways. One of the key characteristics of "Coming Together for speaker" is its use of repetition and variation. The text is repeated multiple times, but each repetition is slightly different, with changes in emphasis, rhythm, and tone. This creates a sense of tension and unpredictability, as the listener is never quite sure what will happen next. Another important aspect of the piece is its political message. The text is a powerful indictment of the prison system and the injustices faced by those who are incarcerated. Rzewski's use of repetition and distortion serves to amplify the urgency of the message, making it impossible to ignore. Overall, "Coming Together for speaker" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that combines minimalist musical techniques with a powerful political message. Its use of repetition and variation creates a sense of tension and unpredictability, while the distorted voice of the speaker adds to the sense of urgency and agitation.

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