Emphasis Preaching Journal

In 1952, composer John Cage wrote a piece called 4'33" (Four minutes, 33 seconds). Originally written for a single pianist, it can be performed on any instrument or any combination of instruments. The choice of instruments does not matter, because during the entire duration of the performance not a single note is played. Several renditions of 4'33" have been recorded over the years. The idea behind this quirky composition is that the music consists of the ambient sounds of the room in which it is performed. The silence enables the audience to really listen.