Composer

:

Morton Feldman

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1952

Average_duration

:

1:51

Intermission 4 is a composition by Morton Feldman, an American composer known for his experimental and avant-garde approach to music. The piece was composed in 1952 and premiered the same year in New York City. Intermission 4 is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. It is scored for a small ensemble of six instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, cello, and piano. The piece is characterized by its sparse and delicate textures, with each instrument playing independently of the others. The composition begins with a series of soft, sustained notes played by the piano and strings. The other instruments gradually enter, each playing their own distinct melody. The flute and clarinet play long, breathy lines, while the trumpet adds occasional bursts of sound. The strings provide a gentle, pulsing accompaniment. Throughout the piece, Feldman employs a technique known as "indeterminate notation," in which the performers are given general instructions but are allowed to interpret the music in their own way. This results in a highly improvisational and unpredictable performance, with each rendition of the piece sounding slightly different. Intermission 4 is often cited as an early example of Feldman's unique style, which would go on to influence a generation of experimental composers. Its sparse textures, use of indeterminate notation, and emphasis on individual instrumental lines would become hallmarks of his later works.

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