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You think the last few months have been monotonous for YOU? Well, let us tell you a story.
It’s about a church in Germany that has been playing the same piece of music WITHOUT STOPPING for two decades.
#coronavirus #covid19
It’s about a church in Germany that has been playing the same piece of music WITHOUT STOPPING for two decades.
#coronavirus #covid19
In 1987, composer John Cage wrote a piece of music –the catchingly titled ‘Organ² / ASLSP’ – and it contains an instruction that the piece should be played ‘as slowly as possible’.
Now, performances of the composition usually last around 70 minutes.
However, in the late 1990s, a mischievous group of incredibly-literal German people got together, and decided to play the piece PROPERLY.
However, in the late 1990s, a mischievous group of incredibly-literal German people got together, and decided to play the piece PROPERLY.
The worked out that the slowest POSSIBLE way to play Cage’s piece was to attach sandbags to an organ, which would theoretically mean that it could play continuously for 639 years.
In Halberstadt Cathedral, Germany, the current performance Organ² / ASLSP began on 5th September 2001, almost exactly 19 years ago.
Here's a photo of the organ it's playing on.
Here's a photo of the organ it's playing on.
Hilariously, the composition starts with a pause, which in this case lasted until February 2003.
The first actual chord of the song started on that date, and played until 2005.
At that point, the ‘orchestra’ (or person tasked with moving the sandbags) changed the chord to the next one, and so on.
At that point, the ‘orchestra’ (or person tasked with moving the sandbags) changed the chord to the next one, and so on.
The current chord has been playing constantly since 2013, and you can listen to it live here: https://www.aslsp.org/de/home.html
(It's an absolute banger)
(It's an absolute banger)
We bring you this incredible tale JUST in time, because TOMORROW they’re moving the sandbags for the first time in 7 years!
The chord will change on 5th September, and will stay the same until February 2022.
The chord will change on 5th September, and will stay the same until February 2022.
To us, it seems that there are a few #coronavirus lessons to take from this, the longest concert in the history of the world.
1: The last few months has tested all of our perseverance. Next time you fancy throwing a barbecue or having a house party, channel the patience of a German orchestra conductor and wait a while.
2: Nothing lasts forever.
Even a seemingly unending, 600 year-long piece of music will eventually come to an end. This will pass too.
Even a seemingly unending, 600 year-long piece of music will eventually come to an end. This will pass too.
3: We're going to encourage @MayorRos to start the next council meeting with our very own rendition of Organ² / ASLSP, lasting 640 years.
Take THAT, Halberstadt!
(Also, apologies to whoever is taking the minutes of that meeting. It's going to be a long one.)
Take THAT, Halberstadt!
(Also, apologies to whoever is taking the minutes of that meeting. It's going to be a long one.)
