Composer

:

John Cage

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

13:18

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

'Pastorales (2)' is a composition by John Cage, an American composer, philosopher, and writer. The piece was composed in 1978 and premiered on May 6, 1978, at the University of California, San Diego. It is a work for solo piano and consists of five movements. The first movement, titled "Sheep May Safely Graze," is a slow and meditative piece that features a simple melody played in the right hand over a series of sustained chords in the left hand. The second movement, "The Flower," is a more lively and playful piece that features a series of short, staccato phrases played in the right hand over a steady, rhythmic pattern in the left hand. The third movement, "The Shepherd's Pipes," is a slow and contemplative piece that features a simple melody played in the right hand over a series of arpeggios in the left hand. The fourth movement, "The Barn," is a more complex and dissonant piece that features a series of angular and fragmented phrases played in both hands. The final movement, "The Sheepfold," is a slow and peaceful piece that features a simple melody played in the right hand over a series of sustained chords in the left hand. Throughout the piece, Cage employs a variety of extended techniques, such as prepared piano and indeterminate notation, to create a unique and unconventional sound. Overall, 'Pastorales (2)' is a contemplative and introspective work that reflects Cage's interest in Eastern philosophy and his belief in the importance of silence and chance in music. It is a testament to Cage's innovative approach to composition and his willingness to push the boundaries of traditional musical forms.

More....