Modern classical that only uses one note

[paganinio]

I read a review somewhere about this album. It's probably an orchestral work, which supposedly only uses one note (pitch). Does anyone know about it? Thanks a lot.

[bhodges]

You are probably referring to Quattro Pezzi su una nota sola by Giacinto Scelsi.  The CD (I think there's just one) is still in print.  PS, it's a fascinating piece!

--Bruce

[bwv 1080]

there is the 1st mvmt of Ligeti's Musica Ricercarta

[karlhenning]

You are probably referring to Quattro Pezzi su una nota sola by Giacinto Scelsi.  The CD (I think there's just one) is still in print.  PS, it's a fascinating piece!

--Bruce

A beautiful piece, indeed. N.B. each movement (or, if we prefer, each of the four pieces) actually employs a different note.

[paganinio]

thanks again.
Actually I asked because I couldn't find another way to get into modern classical, so I thought "let's hear some WEIRD albums", and the idea of a one-note album is as weird as it gets...

[KevinP]

In college, the opening movement to my violin sonata was composed with one one note--different octaves, different rhythms, different methods of striking the string and even a little counterpoint. Fortunately the note was G, which was hard enough.  F# would have been a much harder challenge.

(No piano in the movement, except for the last bar or two).

[jowcol]

There's also Klein's Monotone Symphony-- which was more of a conceptual work.

http://www.ubu.com/sound/klein.html

[PaulSC]

The seventh etude in Carter's Eight Etudes and a Fantasy for woodwind quartet is another 1-note piece (albeit quite a short one). The whole set of pieces can be heard at Art of the States.

[Henk]

Maybe you're also interested in composition with one chord. Then David Lang's "The passing measures" applies.

Henk

[Daverz]

Could this be what the OP was referring to?

[Luke]

Doubt it, that one is In C but doesn't only use C  - my first thought was the Scelsi, too, especially as the one-notedness is contained in the title itself.

[Dax]

Christopher Hobbs - One note 1966

La Monte Young - Composition 1960 #10 - "Draw a straight line and follow it"

[westknife]

There is, of course, Tenacious D's "One Note Song":

http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/One+Note+Song/2DBRIf?src=5

[Dax]

Moondog - Invocation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv7DBHnOLrw

[Szykneij]

Moondog - Invocation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv7DBHnOLrw

Does that really go on for the full 10 minutes?   

[karlhenning]

La Monte Young - Composition 1960 #10 - "Draw a straight line and follow it"

Following those directions, though, will not imply use of only one note.

[Dax]

Following those directions, though, will not imply use of only one note.

That's right, but they could do. It's one of the ways in which the composer has been known to realise them.