An organ in eastern Germany has been playing the same piece of music by composer John Cage at a very slow pace for nearly 25 years. The composition, called “ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)”, is scheduled to finish on September 4, 2640.

Project History

The project commenced in 2000 and the performance began on September 5, 2001, with a silent pause that lasted until February 5, 2003, when the first chords could be heard. The organ, located in the medieval Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany, uses an electric-powered blower system to create a continuous sound.

A recent chord change, which occurred on Wednesday, marked the completion of about 4% of the 639-year endeavor. The change, from seven notes to eight, was witnessed by over 150 people who attended the event. The next chord change is scheduled to take place on October 5, 2027.

Legacy and Future

The project has transformed the Burchardi Church, which was left largely in ruins before money was raised for a new roof and other fixes to make the piece a reality. The sound of the organ envelops visitors throughout the church, giving them new experiences to hear as they move through the empty space.

The project’s stewards and visitors can contemplate not only Cage’s legacy but their own as guardians of an organ that will outlive them. The time frame of the project allows for each chord change to depend on a new generation of musicians, volunteers, and craftspeople to keep the piece going.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.