[1] The piece began as a series of short, improvisatory sketches in 1967 when Johnson was accompanying a modern dance class at New York University.
Achieving this goal requires an absolutely steady tempo for the duration of the piece, which Johnson has set at quarter note = 59.225 beats per minute.
The only recording that is exactly sixty minutes long was released by the Irritable Hedgehog label and performed by R. Andrew Lee.
"[4] These lengthy notes mirror the composition in certain ways, with sentences and entire paragraphs that return frequently and with subtle alterations to the text.
"[5] While An Hour for Piano has not enjoyed the same level of recognition that other standard minimalist compositions have, it still "represents many of minimalism's best qualities while avoiding many of its pitfalls.