Posted on 01/06/2006 4:42:30 PM PST by 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".
I wish.
I agree. And that's not a compliment to any of the three.
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.
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.
I remember my Dad playing "Wild Blue Yonder" nigh on to fifty years ago.
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*
yup, see Post#70... make all art ugly
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.
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.
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.
I should have known there was a Commie behind this somewhere. Figures!
Not only was it performed correctly, but it was probably considered a bravura performance worthy of Rachmaninoff.
Ouch, but outstanding. You have a most devious sense of humor and I love it. :-)
I hope someone is recording it so we can play it backwards.
And I thought this was boring... |
Some people have way too much time on their hands.
I'm rubber, you're glue... ;')
Nope, that goes to the estate of John Cage.
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