Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1991

Average_duration

:

30:00

One7 is a composition by the American composer John Cage. It was composed in 1991 and premiered on October 19 of the same year at the Merce Cunningham Dance Company's studio in New York City. The piece is a solo percussion work that lasts approximately 20 minutes. One7 is divided into seven movements, each of which is characterized by a different percussion instrument. The first movement features a bass drum, the second a snare drum, the third a tom-tom, the fourth a cymbal, the fifth a gong, the sixth a woodblock, and the seventh a tambourine. Each movement is performed in silence, with the performer striking the instrument at various intervals. The piece is notable for its use of chance operations, a technique that Cage frequently employed in his compositions. In One7, the performer is instructed to strike the instrument at random intervals, with no predetermined rhythm or pattern. The result is a constantly shifting soundscape that is unique to each performance. One7 is also notable for its use of silence. Cage believed that silence was an essential element of music, and he often incorporated it into his compositions. In One7, the silence between the strikes of the percussion instrument is just as important as the sound itself. The piece is a meditation on the relationship between sound and silence, and the ways in which they can be used to create meaning and emotion. Overall, One7 is a challenging and thought-provoking work that showcases Cage's innovative approach to composition. Its use of chance operations and silence make it a unique and compelling addition to the percussion repertoire.

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