THE LONGEST MUSICAL WORK IN HISTORY!
In 1987, experimental contemporary music composer John Cage adapted his piano piece “As Slow As Possible” for organ, an instrument capable of playing continuous sounds. It was given the title “ORGAN2/ASLSP” (As Slow as Possible)", with the sole indication that it should be played as slowly as possible.
Performing ASLSP
Composed of just 8 pages with no tempo indicated, some performed it in a few hours, others in 1 day... This was without counting the meeting of a group of German musicologists and philosophers who, after Cage's death, studied the indication "as slow as possible".
How slow can his interpretation be? 639 years!
Their reasoning? The modern organ dates back to 1361. So they chose to make the performance last until 2640, 639 years after this pivotal invention.
A unique sound experience
Since 2001, a special organ has been playing continuously in the church in Halberstadt, Germany. Pipes are added as the notes change, approximately every 7 years!
On February 5, 2024, a historic event occurred: a D4 was played and won't be released until 2028! 🎶
Next note: on August 5, 2026, an A4 will sound.
