open form

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open form. A structural procedure whereby the sequence and/or construction of parts of a notated work are variable. First employed by Ives, Cowell, and Grainger, but developed as indeterminacy by Cage and Earle Brown. In Boulez's 3rd pf. sonata, for example, the 5 movts. may be played in any order except the 3rd which must stay central.

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