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The Poème Symphonique for 100 metronomes by 20th century composer György Ligeti that is played by an orchestra of 100 metronomes. It was composed in 1962.
Each metronome is wound to its maximum extent and then left to tick down. The sound at first is a staticy crackle, but after a few minutes patterns can be noticed in the sound and individual metronomes can be more clearly made out. The piece always ends with one final metronome that ticks alone for a few beats.
The work is an intersting exploration of the nature of sound, but is not a popular one for recreational listening. It is some of Ligeti's most modernistic and abstract music, reminiscent of John Cage.
Ligeti would later integrate metronomes in his 1971 Chamber Concerto. The work also is reminiscent of many of Ligeti's works in its slowly evolving landscapes of sound. It is an example of Ligeti's belief in micropolyphony.
External links
- Guide to putting on the piece (http://www.artnotart.com/fluxus/gligeti-poemesymphonique.html)