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About this piece
One of Cage's late 'Number Pieces', written in 1991 for the cellist Michael Bach and the curved bow he developed. The score consists of 53 flexible time brackets, each containing a single sound played on one, two, three or four strings; because the brackets overlap, the piece can unfold as one continuous sound. Durations, dynamics and bow positions are left to the player, and the pitches include microtonal deviations marked with small arrows. It may be played together with the orchestral piece 108, under the title 'One8 and 108', in which form it becomes in effect a cello concerto. Edition Peters EP 67408 (16 pages).
Technical overview
Single sustained sounds on one to four strings using a curved bow, with microtonal intonation; the performer chooses durations, dynamics and bow placement within each time bracket.
Technical focus
- Double Stops