Second chord sounds in world's longest lasting concert

Yahoo ^ | 1/6/05

[Borges]

HALBERSTADT, Germany (AFP) - A new chord was scheduled to sound in the world's slowest and longest lasting concert that is taking a total 639 years to perform.

The abandoned Buchardi church in Halberstadt, eastern Germany, is the venue for a mind-boggling 639-year-long performance of a piece of music by US experimental composer John Cage (1912-1992).

Entitled "organ2/ASLSP" (or "As SLow aS Possible"), the performance began on September 5, 2001 and is scheduled to last until 2639.

The first year and half of the performance was total silence, with the first chord -- G-sharp, B and G-sharp -- not sounding until February 2, 2003.

Then in July 2004, two additional Es, an octave apart, were sounded and are scheduled to be released later this year on May 5.

But at 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Thursday, the first chord was due to progress to a second -- comprising A, C and F-sharp -- and is to be held down over the next few years by weights on an organ being built especially for the project.

Cage originally conceived "ASLSP" in 1985 as a 20-minute work for piano, subsequently transcribing it for organ in 1987.

But organisers of the John Cage Organ Project decided to take the composer at his word and stretch out the performance for 639 years, using Cage's transcription for organ.

The enormous running time was chosen to commemorate the creation of Halberstadt's historic Blockwerk organ in 1361 -- 639 years before the current project started.

That original organ, built by Nikolaus Faber for Halberstadt's cathedral, was the first organ ever to be used for liturgical purposes, ringing in a new era in which the organ has played a central role in church music ever since.

As part of Halberstadt's John Cage Organ Project, a brand-new organ is being built specially, with new pipes added in time for when new notes are scheduled to sound.

Cage was a pupil of one of the 20th century's most influential composers, Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951).

Cage's avant-garde oeuvre includes works such as the notorious "4'33", a piece comprising four minutes and 33 seconds of total silence, all meticulously notated.

The organisers of the John Cage Organ Project say the record-breaking performance in Halberstadt also has a philosophical background -- to "rediscover calm and slowness in today's fast-changing world".

[LexBaird]

I expect 50 Cent to sample this on his next CD.

I wish.

[Mike Darancette]

File under "So Freakin' What".

[LexBaird]

[Picasso] was to Art what Stravinsky was to music (and Joyce to literature).

I agree. And that's not a compliment to any of the three.

[Semi Civil Servant]

OK somebody clue me in, what's a mycologist? Is that, like, the study of myself? Cool, man.

A mycologist picks wild mushrooms to eat. Like many "modernists", Cage believed in a chance universe. His "music" reflected that philosophy.

However, counting on "chance" when deciding what wild mushroom is safe to eat is a good way to doom yourself a quick (or slow) death by poison. In his mushroom picking activities, Cage was apparently a devout follower of the "intelligent design" method of selection.

[TChad]

And the joke on everyone...David Tudor didn't know how to play piano. He was the Janitor.

Um, no. http://www.lovely.com/bios/tudor.html

I saw Tudor "perform" in southern California in the late 60s. I thought that he and John Cage were great fun -- in limited doses.

[DuncanWaring]

Heck, I didn't realize he was still around.

I remember my Dad playing "Wild Blue Yonder" nigh on to fifty years ago.

[Squeako]

i always thought it was G/E/C for for it's owners... the General Electric Company

Good catch! Yet, one has to wonder about an arpeggiated, inverted "C" chord's place in 639 year long musical performances. I mean, come on, man! Let's not be ridiculous! :)

Isn't this "performance" the stupidest thing you've ever heard of?
"Oh, were I to live to hear the closing cadence." *death gasp*

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

While in the Army in 1957, a solder in my barracks had an LP "Bawdy Room Songs and Ballads".
I loved the song "Sam Hall".
I did not know the artist and looked at libraries for this song.
Clint Eastwood sang a few stanzas in "Two Mules for Sister Sara" and Kirk Douglas sang a little in "Scalawags".
Until the Internet, I had no luck.

[Chode]

yup, see Post#70... make all art ugly

[Wolfstar]

Cage's song last 639 years, while Camille's only seem to last that long

Man, ain't that the truth. Whew! Every note of hers seems to last that long.

BTW, speaking of something that may last too long, you have not heard the last of Mario. His Clive Davis produced CD is due out in the spring. Supposedly it's Ricky Martin boy band type thing according to folks who have heard previews. Now you will be sure to rush right on out and snap it up when it appears, just like I will -- not.

[PalestrinaGal0317]

I'll bite. Who or what is Vevickers? Whoever he/she/it is doesn't appear on Google.
And yes, Cage gives the word "music" a bad name.

[Wolfstar]

I now have two of these "sculptures" in my home and I tell visitors in my most serious voice that the one on the shelf by the front door is called "The Raping Bed" and the one hanging on the wall is called "American Imperialist".

ROFLMAO!!! You really should take them down to the snootiest gallery in your town and seriously ask for an appraisal. Tell them another appraiser said it was by a famous sculptor, but you can't remember who and wanted a second opinion. It would be a hoot.

[Squeako]

make all art ugly

I should have known there was a Commie behind this somewhere. Figures!

[Wolfstar]

The only hint was that the pianist used a STOPWATCH to time the piece, so I guess maybe it was performed correctly.

Not only was it performed correctly, but it was probably considered a bravura performance worthy of Rachmaninoff.

[Wolfstar]

In his mushroom picking activities, Cage was apparently a devout follower of the "intelligent design" method of selection.

Ouch, but outstanding. You have a most devious sense of humor and I love it. :-)

[Fester Chugabrew]

I hope someone is recording it so we can play it backwards.

[Fintan]

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And I thought this was boring...

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[rapture-me]

Some people have way too much time on their hands.

[SunkenCiv]

I'm rubber, you're glue... ;')

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, that goes to the estate of John Cage.