Today marks a change in the 639 year long John Cage composition

[Earth_First]

Today marks a change in Cage's Organ²/ASLSP peformance...

The most recent change was on July 15, 2010 and won't change again until August 5th.

I haven't been able to find an article on the event yet, however here is the Wiki page for inquiring minds:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Slow_As_Possible#Performance

[NBachers]

1. You can hear the current sound here:

http://www.john-cage.halberstadt.de/new/index.php?seite=cdundtoene&l=e

[notesdev]

2. What is the point?

Is this some sort of meta-gaming of the gullibility of avant-garde afficianados?

[Iterate]

7. It's a big world, and I hope there's always room for this.

I can't imagine the good citizens of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halberstadt">Halberstadt care one whit for the avant-grarde, but they are, after all, German.

If you're staggered by the Long Now 10,000 year clock and too impatient (or mortal) for the end of this performance (or its inevitable rerun), you might try Beethoven’s 9th Symphony x 22.15, a performance of the 9th that lasts a mere 24 hours. Available as a quick download mp3.

[thaddeus_flowe]

3. Thanks!

This is why I love DU.
Politics that move fast!
Music that moves slow!

[derby378]

4. Ooooooh, I feel all tingly

Seriously, how is this going to be regarded 200 years from now? Will it be lovingly maintained by dedicated musicians, or will it take on the trappings of a quasi-religious movement?

[90-percent]

5. Exactly

Which century is this going to turn into scientology?

-90% Jimmy

[On the Road]

6. That's Pretty Catchy

Must say it's a tempting offer:


You can order this CD using the following link:

I checked on Amazon for this item because I wanted to see what percent of people viewing the page actually bought the CD. Sadly, it's not for sale there.

The dude's music is unlistenable, but he did have some interesting concepts:

In view of our fast moving age, this piece of music is a way of trying to slow down our hectic lives.
The “discovery of slowness” and the planting of a “musical apple tree” can be understood as symbols of confidence in the future.

The length of this performance symbolises not only, and that was Cage's intention, the perception of music or a piece of music; It means also the perception of time, supposed standstill and transitoriness. As a generational project, this piece of music resists the fast reception; the simple solution which is preferred in our society.

[somone]

8. Critics can't wait

[Earth_First]

9. Well, for the instant gratification aficionado; there's always Cage's 4'33"

4′33″ (pronounced Four, thirty-three<1>) is a three-movement composition<2><3> by American experimental composer John Cage (1912–1992). It was composed in 1952 for any instrument (or combination of instruments), and the score instructs the performer not to play the instrument during the entire duration of the piece throughout the three movements (the first being thirty seconds, the second being two minutes and twenty-three seconds, and the third being one minute and forty seconds). Although commonly perceived as "four minutes thirty-three seconds of silence",<4><5> the piece actually consists of the sounds of the environment that the listeners hear while it is performed.<6> Over the years, 4′33″ became Cage's most famous and most controversial composition.<2>

Conceived around 1947–1948, while the composer was working on Sonatas and Interludes,<2> 4′33″ became for Cage the epitome of his idea that any sounds constitute, or may constitute, music.<7> It was also a reflection of the influence of Zen Buddhism, which Cage studied since the late forties. In a 1982 interview, and on numerous other occasions, Cage stated that 4′33″ was, in his opinion, his most important work.<8>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%B233%E2%80%B3

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Oops, messed up -- have to start over. nt