A performance of John Cage's "ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)" is underway at the Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany, a musical endeavor designed to last 639 years. The performance began on Sept. 5, 2001, with an initial silent pause lasting until Feb. 5, 2003, when the first audible chords were introduced. The piece is scheduled to conclude on Sept. 4, 2640.
On Wednesday, the project marked its 17th chord change, transitioning from seven to eight notes with the addition of an A4 pipe. This change represents approximately 4% of the total composition. A continuous sound is produced by an electric-powered blower system. Chord changes are manual, occurring when new sounds are added or existing ones cease.
Jeffrey Lependorf, executive director of the John Cage Trust, described the experience of the sound resonating throughout the body. Cage, an American avant-garde composer born in 1912, instructed that the piece be played as slowly and softly as possible. The Halberstadt interpretation divides the composition into units, with the smallest being one month long, and some silences extending for years.
The Burchardi Church, once largely in ruins, underwent renovations to accommodate the project. The sound envelops visitors within the church's space, creating a dynamic auditory experience that shifts with movement. Lependorf noted that "the organ playing the church and not the other way around."
The 639-year duration of the performance is a tribute to a historic organ in Halberstadt dating back to 1361, which was 639 years before the project's initiation in 2000. This extended timeline prompts contemplation of Cage's legacy, the role of stewards and visitors as caretakers, and the future state of the world, including the church, the city, and the potential impacts of climate change.
Organ builder Johannes Hüfken crafted pipes designed to last at least another 500 years, aligning with the project's forward-thinking approach. The next chord change is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2027, when the E4 pipe will be removed, reducing the overall sound.
"Final tickets" for the concluding event in 2640 are currently available for purchase at 2,640 euros (approximately $3,045).