GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Name That Tune? => Topic started by: paganinio on October 15, 2010, 06:09:46 AM

Title: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: paganinio on October 15, 2010, 06:09:46 AM
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.
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2010, 06:16:13 AM
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
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: bwv 1080 on October 15, 2010, 06:18:28 AM
there is the 1st mvmt of Ligeti's Musica Ricercarta
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 08:09:03 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 15, 2010, 06:16:13 AM
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.
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: paganinio on October 15, 2010, 03:33:00 PM
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... ;D
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: KevinP on January 07, 2011, 12:39:08 PM
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).
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: jowcol on January 07, 2011, 12:48:16 PM
There's also Klein's Monotone Symphony-- which was more of a conceptual work.

http://www.ubu.com/sound/klein.html (http://www.ubu.com/sound/klein.html)
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: PaulSC on January 07, 2011, 01:31:11 PM
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 (http://artofthestates.org/cgi-bin/piece.pl?pid=133).
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Henk on January 07, 2011, 01:56:24 PM
Maybe you're also interested in composition with one chord. Then David Lang's "The passing measures" applies.

Henk
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Daverz on January 07, 2011, 02:04:56 PM
Could this be what the OP was referring to?

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BRHCCNvhL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Luke on January 07, 2011, 02:17:02 PM
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.
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Dax on January 14, 2011, 10:20:27 AM
Christopher Hobbs - One note 1966

La Monte Young - Composition 1960 #10 - "Draw a straight line and follow it"
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: westknife on February 26, 2011, 06:30:04 PM
There is, of course, Tenacious D's "One Note Song":

http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/One+Note+Song/2DBRIf?src=5
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Dax on February 27, 2011, 01:35:36 AM
Moondog - Invocation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv7DBHnOLrw
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Szykneij on February 27, 2011, 05:09:37 AM
Quote from: Dax on February 27, 2011, 01:35:36 AM
Moondog - Invocation

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

Does that really go on for the full 10 minutes?   :o
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: karlhenning on February 27, 2011, 02:04:24 PM
Quote from: Dax on January 14, 2011, 10:20:27 AM
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.
Title: Re: Modern classical that only uses one note
Post by: Dax on February 27, 2011, 08:26:50 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 27, 2011, 02:04:24 PM
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.