Composer

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Arne Nordheim

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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10:08

'Listen' is a contemporary classical composition by Norwegian composer Arne Nordheim. It was composed in 1991 and premiered on October 17, 1991, at the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, titled "Listen," is characterized by a slow and meditative pace. It begins with a single note played on the piano, which is then joined by a sustained note on the cello. The two instruments gradually build upon each other, creating a sense of tension and anticipation. The movement ends with a sudden silence, leaving the listener with a feeling of unresolved tension. The second movement, titled "Echo," is more dynamic and energetic than the first. It features a series of rapid, staccato notes played on the piano, which are echoed by the cello. The two instruments engage in a call-and-response pattern, creating a sense of dialogue and interaction. The movement ends with a sudden, dramatic pause. The final movement, titled "Reverberation," is the most complex and abstract of the three. It features a series of dissonant chords played on the piano, which are then echoed and distorted by the cello. The two instruments engage in a complex interplay of sound and silence, creating a sense of disorientation and confusion. The movement ends with a sudden, unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. Overall, 'Listen' is a challenging and thought-provoking composition that explores the boundaries of sound and silence. It showcases Nordheim's mastery of contemporary classical techniques, including dissonance, repetition, and fragmentation. The piece invites the listener to engage with the music on a deep and introspective level, challenging them to confront their own perceptions of sound and meaning.

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