⏱️ 5 min read

Did You Know There’s a Song That’s Been Playing Since 2001 and Will End in 2640?

Did You Know There's a Song That's Been Playing Since 2001 and Will End in 2640?

In the quiet town of Halberstadt, Germany, a remarkable musical performance has been unfolding since September 5, 2001. This isn't your typical concert that lasts a few hours or even a marathon performance spanning a day. This is "As Slow as Possible" (ASLSP), a rendition of an organ composition that is scheduled to take 639 years to complete, making it the longest musical performance in recorded history.

The Origins of ASLSP

The piece being performed is based on a composition by avant-garde American composer John Cage, who created "Organ²/ASLSP" in 1987, just five years before his death. Cage was renowned for pushing the boundaries of what music could be, most famously with his 1952 piece "4'33"", in which performers remain silent for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, forcing audiences to contemplate ambient sounds as music.

The original organ version of ASLSP was designed to be played for approximately 20 to 70 minutes, depending on the performer's interpretation of "as slow as possible." However, a group of musicians, philosophers, and organ builders in Germany decided to take Cage's instruction to its absolute extreme, creating a performance that would span multiple human lifetimes.

Why 639 Years?

The decision to extend the performance to 639 years was not arbitrary. The number was chosen to commemorate the history of the organ itself. The church where the performance takes place, St. Burchardi in Halberstadt, received its first modern organ in 1361, exactly 639 years before the year 2000. This historical connection provided the perfect symbolic framework for a performance that seeks to explore the concepts of time, patience, and the nature of musical experience.

The Venue and the Instrument

St. Burchardi church has a fascinating history of its own. Originally built in the 14th century, the church was damaged during various conflicts and eventually fell into disuse. By the late 20th century, it was partially in ruins. The ASLSP project breathed new life into this historical structure, transforming it into a unique concert hall and philosophical space.

The organ being used for this performance is specially designed and continuously constructed as the piece progresses. Unlike traditional organs with all pipes installed at once, this instrument is built incrementally, with new pipes added only when they are needed for upcoming notes. This approach serves both practical and financial purposes, as it would be prohibitively expensive to build a complete organ that would sit mostly unused for centuries.

How the Performance Works

The performance began with a rest period lasting 17 months, staying true to Cage's original score. The first actual note wasn't heard until February 5, 2003. Since then, the performance has proceeded with extraordinary patience:

• Individual notes or chords are held for months or even years at a time
• Chord changes are rare and momentous occasions that draw visitors from around the world
• Sandbags weight down the organ keys to sustain the notes continuously
• An automated system keeps the organ supplied with air to maintain the sound
• Each note change is carefully planned and executed with ceremonial precision

Notable Moments in the Performance

Since its inception, several chord changes have marked significant moments in this ongoing performance. Each change is treated as a special event, with attendees gathering to witness history in its slowest form. Some changes have occurred after years of the same sustained tone, making each transition a profound experience for those present.

The project maintains a detailed schedule of when future note changes will occur, allowing people to plan visits years or even decades in advance. This long-term scheduling creates an unusual relationship between the artwork and its audience, one that spans generations.

Philosophical and Artistic Implications

The ASLSP project raises profound questions about the nature of art, time, and human perception. In an era characterized by increasing speed and instant gratification, this performance stands as a monument to patience and long-term thinking. It challenges conventional notions about the temporality of musical performance and the relationship between performer and audience.

The project also serves as a meditation on continuity and change. It will outlive everyone currently alive, including those who initiated it. Multiple generations will serve as its guardians, passing down the responsibility of maintaining the performance like a sacred trust. This multigenerational aspect transforms the project from a simple musical performance into something closer to a living tradition or ongoing ritual.

Funding and Maintenance

The project relies on donations, visitors, and a dedicated foundation to ensure its continuation. The John Cage Organ Foundation Halberstadt manages the performance and maintains the venue. Visitors can attend the church at any time to hear whatever note or chord is currently being played, and admission fees help support the ongoing maintenance costs.

The Future of the Performance

If all goes according to plan, the final note of ASLSP will sound in the year 2640. By that time, the world will have undergone transformations we cannot begin to imagine. Technologies will have evolved, societies will have changed, and yet this one continuous performance will serve as a thread connecting our present to that distant future.

The ASLSP project stands as a testament to human ambition, artistic vision, and the power of music to transcend the normal boundaries of time. It reminds us that art can operate on timescales far beyond individual human lives, creating meaning that accumulates slowly across centuries.

⏱️ 5 min read

Did You Know Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” Was Nearly Cut from Radio?

Did You Know Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" Was Nearly Cut from Radio?

Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" stands as one of the most iconic and beloved songs in rock history. The six-minute operatic masterpiece has captivated audiences for decades, influencing countless artists and becoming a cultural touchstone. However, what many music fans may not realize is that this legendary track nearly never made it to radio airwaves due to its unconventional length and structure.

The Revolutionary Recording

Released in 1975 as part of Queen's fourth studio album "A Night at the Opera," "Bohemian Rhapsody" was unlike anything the music industry had seen before. Written entirely by Freddie Mercury, the song defied conventional songwriting rules by incorporating multiple distinct sections: a ballad introduction, an operatic passage, a hard rock segment, and a reflective coda. The recording process itself was groundbreaking, taking three weeks to complete at a time when most singles were recorded in a matter of days.

The production utilized innovative multi-tracking techniques, with some sections featuring over 180 separate vocal overdubs. Mercury, along with bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor, spent countless hours perfecting the intricate harmonies that would become the song's signature feature. The final product was a musical tour de force that pushed the boundaries of what rock music could achieve.

The Radio Industry's Resistance

When Queen and their management team prepared to release "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a single, they faced immediate resistance from radio executives and industry professionals. The primary concern centered on the song's length of five minutes and fifty-five seconds, which was nearly double the standard radio-friendly duration of three minutes. Radio stations operated on strict formatting guidelines, and longer songs disrupted programming schedules and reduced the number of commercial breaks that could be aired.

Several key factors contributed to the industry's skepticism:

• The unconventional structure made it difficult to edit without destroying the song's artistic integrity
• Radio programmers believed listeners would lose interest during the operatic middle section
• The lack of a traditional chorus made it challenging to market as a commercial single
• The song's complexity was considered too avant-garde for mainstream audiences

EMI Records, Queen's label at the time, expressed serious doubts about releasing the track as a single. Executives suggested that the band either edit the song significantly or choose a more conventional track from the album. Some industry insiders predicted that the song would be a commercial failure and advised against its release altogether.

The DJ Who Changed Everything

The turning point came through the intervention of influential British DJ Kenny Everett. Everett was a close friend of Freddie Mercury and had received an early copy of "A Night at the Opera" before its official release. Despite being explicitly instructed not to play "Bohemian Rhapsody" on air, Everett was so impressed by the song that he played it fourteen times over a single weekend on his Capital London radio show.

The response was unprecedented. Phone lines were flooded with listeners demanding to hear the song again and asking where they could purchase it. The overwhelming public reaction demonstrated that audiences were ready for something different and challenging, contradicting the industry's conservative assumptions about commercial viability.

Breaking Through the Barriers

Following the explosive reaction to Everett's unauthorized broadcasts, EMI Records reconsidered their position. The label rushed to release "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a single on October 31, 1975. The song quickly climbed the charts, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for nine consecutive weeks. It became the best-selling single in the UK for the year 1975 and held the record as the UK's third best-selling single of all time for many years.

The success of "Bohemian Rhapsody" forced radio stations worldwide to reconsider their rigid formatting rules. Program directors recognized that exceptional music could transcend conventional limitations and that audiences would embrace longer, more complex compositions if the quality justified it. This shift opened doors for other artists to experiment with extended formats and unconventional structures.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The near-rejection of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by radio executives serves as a powerful reminder of how close the music world came to missing out on one of its greatest achievements. The song's success challenged industry assumptions and demonstrated the importance of artistic vision over commercial formulas.

Decades later, "Bohemian Rhapsody" continues to resonate with new generations of listeners. The song experienced a resurgence in 1992 following its inclusion in the film "Wayne's World" and again in 2018 with the release of the biographical film "Bohemian Rhapsody." It has been streamed billions of times and continues to receive regular radio airplay despite its length.

Lessons for the Music Industry

The story of "Bohemian Rhapsody" offers valuable lessons about artistic integrity and risk-taking in the music industry. It demonstrates that audiences are often more sophisticated and receptive to innovation than industry gatekeepers assume. The song's journey from near-rejection to legendary status proves that truly exceptional art can overcome institutional barriers and industry conventions.

Today, "Bohemian Rhapsody" stands as a testament to Queen's creative courage and the power of believing in artistic vision. What nearly became a forgotten album track instead became a cultural phenomenon that redefined possibilities in popular music. The song's legacy continues to inspire artists to push boundaries and challenge established norms, ensuring that the spirit of innovation remains alive in music.