John Cage – 4′33″
4′33′ (Four, thirty-three) is a three-movement composition by American experimental composer John Cage. Composed in 1952 for any instrument (or combination of instruments), 4′33″ has become Cage’s most famous and most controversial composition. Conceived from the idea that any sounds constitute, or may constitute, music. It was also a reflection of the influence of Zen Buddhism, which Cage studied since the late forties. Cage stated that 4′33′ is, in his opinion, his most important work.
Here is a performance of 4′33″ for your listening pleasure.
In case you are wondering why the hell no sound is being made, watch this video.
The score instructs the performer not to play the instrument during the entire duration of the piece throughout the three movements (the first being thirty seconds, the second being two minutes and twenty-three seconds, and the third being one minute and forty seconds). Although commonly perceived as “four minutes thirty-three seconds of silence”, the piece actually consists of the sounds of the environment that the listeners hear while it is performed.
You can read more about 4′33″ and John Cage on wikipedia
