Composer

:

Morton Feldman

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1957

Average_duration

:

8:18

Morton Feldman's "Piece for Four Pianos" is a minimalist composition that premiered in 1957. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which is characterized by a slow and deliberate pace, with sparse and repetitive notes played by each of the four pianos. The first movement begins with a series of single notes played by each piano, gradually building in intensity and complexity as the pianos overlap and interweave their melodies. The second movement is more subdued, with each piano playing a simple, repetitive pattern that gradually evolves over the course of the movement. The third movement is the most sparse and minimalistic of the four, with each piano playing a single note at a time, creating a haunting and ethereal atmosphere. The final movement returns to the more complex and layered textures of the first movement, with each piano playing a series of interlocking melodies that gradually build to a climax before fading away into silence. Overall, "Piece for Four Pianos" is a prime example of Feldman's minimalist style, characterized by its use of repetition, slow pacing, and sparse textures. The piece is often cited as a precursor to the minimalist movement that would emerge in the 1960s and 70s, and remains a significant work in the history of contemporary classical music.

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