The article reflects on the author’s experience attending a significant event in Halberstadt, Germany, tied to John Cage’s “Organ2/ASLSP,” a performance lasting 639 years. It begins with the author’s train journey where they meet fellow travelers also intrigued by this rare note change event.
The article discusses Cage’s idea of music and time, emphasizing a sense of mindfulness and the beauty in the slow passage of life, paralleling the ongoing performance itself. The author shares insights from their career in music criticism, how Cage’s philosophies have shaped their understanding of music, and confronts the complexities of culture and current events in modern-day Germany.
While reminiscing about their past experiences at the Los Angeles Times and reflecting on the influence of significant figures like Isabel Morse Jones, the author highlights a blend of appreciation and anxiety regarding the future of the arts. As they connect the past with present cultural dynamics, they propose a hopeful vision for the future, culminating in a suggestion to commemorate Cage through the naming of a new transportation line.
Overall, it encapsulates themes of continuity, change, and the profound relationship between art and life, reminding readers to remain open to new experiences and perspectives.
