A 639-year-long performance of John Cage’s experimental work “Organ2/ASLSP” — the “ASLSP” stands for Cage’s instructions to perform the work “as slow as possible” — changed notes on Feb. 5. The performance at St. Burchardi church in Halberstadt, Germany, began in 2001, and the next note change is not expected until Aug. 5, 2026.
Why it matters:
- Experimental Performance Art: The ongoing performance of John Cage’s composition embodies experimentalism in music, challenging conventional notions of duration and interpretation, making it a unique and avant-garde artistic endeavor.
- Historical and Cultural Commemoration: The duration of 639 years commemorates the time span between the construction of the world’s first 12-tone Gothic organ in 1361 and the new millennium, blending historical context with contemporary artistry in a thought-provoking manner.
- Human Imperfections and Adaptability: The project’s journey, marked by mistakes and adaptations, reflects the human condition and the inevitability of errors, while also showcasing the resilience and adaptability required to sustain such a long-term artistic endeavor, echoing Cage’s philosophy of embracing randomness and imperfection in art.
