Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Piece of music lasting for 639 years has first chord change since 2013

Lengthy composition will come to an end in 2640

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 06 September 2020 06:38 EDT
Comments
People attend an organ performance of John Cage's work 'As Slow As Possible', with the first note change in seven years, in Halberstadt, Germany
People attend an organ performance of John Cage's work 'As Slow As Possible', with the first note change in seven years, in Halberstadt, Germany (REUTERS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A piece of music that lasts for 639 years has just had its first chord change in seven years.

Music fans assembled at a church in Germany to hear the change that was played on a specially built organ specially designed to play the composition.

The piece, which began being played 19 years ago, was composed by John Cage.

American composer Cage, who died in 1992, wrote the piece in the 1980s. It is titled “As Slow as Possible”.

The composition started in 2001 and is expected to end in 2640.

Its next chord change will take place on 5 February 2022.

Those hoping to hear the music can do so at the Saint Burchardi Church in the city of Halberstadt.

The piece was originally commissioned for a piano competition by The Friends of the Maryland Summer Institute for the Creative and Performing Arts.

Cage’s composition lasts for eight pages

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in