Avant-garde music doesn't usually get much attention – but one particularly strange piece has managed to make waves around the world, even outside of the genre's small audience – and although it's been performed many times, you can't hear it. We used Forefront to explain why.
John Cage's melody, officially titled "33'4", does not come with any special requirements for performance: it is defined as suitable for any instrument, individual or orchestral ensemble of many instruments. It was written in 1952 and first performed by David Tudor at Woodstock exactly 71 years ago, on August 29, 1952.
Its uniqueness is that the melody consists of complete silence, with the musician or musicians sitting on stage in silence, allowing the sounds of the environment, like the whispers of the audience, to become "music". In Tudor's case, he did so for 4 minutes and 33 seconds – giving the piece its official name, although the playing guidelines do not specify a specific length to follow.
According to Cage, the art of a melody that doesn't include a single note is to draw attention to sounds that occur naturally in our environment, and to emphasize the perception that silence doesn't really exist. By avoiding musical sounds, Cage sought to create an experience in which the audience became well aware of the accompanying noises, such as coughing, shuffling, or even the gentle sounds of the environment.
The premiere of Four Thirty-Three sparked heated debate both inside and outside the music community. Many saw it as an insult to the very essence of music, dismissing it as nothing more than a gimmick or a joke. Critics argued that silence could not be considered music, and that Cage's 'melody' was a pretentious, empty concept.
However, proponents of the work saw it as a profound artistic statement, challenging conventional conceptions of music and expanding the boundaries of what could be considered a musical experience. They argued that the work forces listeners to confront their prejudices and pay attention to the sounds around them.
Despite the initial controversy, and although you can't really hear it, Four Thirty-Three became one of Cage's most famous works, inspiring countless artists, musicians and theorists to explore new avenues of creativity and thinking outside the box. It was also "performed" by many musicians.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us