Composer

:

Morton Feldman

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

2:12

Morton Feldman's 'Piano Piece 1956 A' is a seminal work in the history of contemporary classical music. Composed in 1956, the piece premiered in New York City the same year. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. The piece is characterized by its sparse, delicate textures and its use of silence. Feldman was interested in exploring the relationship between sound and silence, and 'Piano Piece 1956 A' is a prime example of this. The piece is made up of a series of short, isolated gestures that are separated by long periods of silence. The gestures themselves are often very quiet, and the overall effect is one of extreme delicacy and fragility. Despite its sparse textures, 'Piano Piece 1956 A' is a highly structured work. Feldman was interested in exploring the possibilities of serialism, and the piece is based on a series of twelve-tone rows. However, Feldman's use of serialism is highly unconventional, and he often subverts the strict rules of the technique in order to create a more fluid and organic sound. The piece is also notable for its use of extended techniques. Feldman was interested in exploring the full range of sounds that could be produced by the piano, and 'Piano Piece 1956 A' includes a number of unconventional playing techniques, such as playing the strings directly with the fingers or using the sustain pedal to create a shimmering, ethereal sound. Overall, 'Piano Piece 1956 A' is a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of contemporary classical music. Its use of silence, unconventional serialism, and extended techniques have had a lasting impact on the development of new music.

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