First Construction (in metal)



Category: Musical composition
Dated: Seattle, november 1939.
Instrumentation: Percussion sextet with assistant
Duration: 9'
Premiere and performer(s): December 9, 1939 at the Cornish Theatre in Seattle, performed by a percussion ensemble, conducted by the composer.
Dedicated to: ---
Choreography: ---
Published: Edition Peters 6709 © 1960 by Henmar Press
Manuscript: Score (copyist's manuscript in ink, used for the published version - 25 p.); Score (holograph in ink - 28 p.); 6 parts (holograph, signed, and copyist's manuscript in ink, with remarks in black and red pencil - 27 p.); 7 parts (copyist's manuscript in ink with holographic annotations in pencil, used for the published version - 18 p.); Directions for playing (typesript with holgraphic annotations - 2 lv.); Sketches (holograph in pencil - 2 p.); Sketches (holograph in pencil - 1 lf.); Directions for reproduction (1 lf.), all in New York Public Library.


The rhythmic structure is 4-3-2-3-4, 16 times 16 4/4 measures. This is Cage's first composition using fixed rhythmic structures. The composer uses standard as well as many unconventional instruments such as 8 anvils, watergong and 4 car brake-drums.