We’ve seen various performances of John Cage’s famous silent piece 4’33”. But never during our decade digging up cultural curiosities have we encountered 4’33” performed by Cage himself. That is, until now. Above you can watch a video outtake from Nam June Paik’s Tribute to John Cage, filmed in 1973, in Harvard Square. Boston’s WBGH describes the scene:
In the video he is seated at a piano, with spectators surrounding him. He toys with his viewer’s expectations by not playing the piano, which is what the general populace would expect from a performance involving a piano. On the piano shelf there are a pocket watch and a slip of paper. He keeps touching and looking at the pocket watch which draws the audience’s attention to the idea of time, and that they are waiting for something to happen, and he also raises and lowers the piano fallboard. There is also text that appears in this particular video that says “This is Zen for TV. Open your window and count the stars. If rainy count the raindrops on the puddle. Do you hear a cricket? …or a mouse.”
Another unconventional item to add to the list: Cage performs 4’33” in 1’22”!
For a closer look at 4’33” read Josh Jones’ earlier post on the Curious Score for John Cage’s “Silent” Zen Composition 4’33.” For more music by Cage, stream this free 65-hour playlist.
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Related Content:
See the Curious Score for John Cage’s “Silent” Zen Composition 4’33”
The Music of Avant-Garde Composer John Cage Now Available in a Free Online Archive
How to Get Started: John Cage’s Approach to Starting the Difficult Creative Process
I’m sure Cage didn’t perform this in under two minutes, the short time is due to the video edits
LOS EXPERIMENTOS SOCIALES Y PSICOLÓGICOS COMO EL DE CAGE NO CONSTITUYEN ARTE ALGUNO.
Can I hear the tell-tale sounds of noise reduction on the soundtrack? That would be an irony ;-)