John Cage's 639-Year Organ Piece Hits 4% Completion in Halberstadt
On August 5, 2026, Burchardi Church in Germany hosted the 17th chord transition of John Cage's "ORGAN²/ASLSP," part of the John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt. This shift from seven to eight notes indicates that the 639-year endeavor, which commenced on September 5, 2001—Cage's 89th birthday—has reached 4% completion. Following a pause until February 5, 2003, the project will conclude on September 4, 2640. Over 150 participants celebrated the addition of the eighth pipe with applause. Anneli Borgmann emphasized the project's importance, while Jeffrey Lependorf remarked on the new sound. The next chord change is scheduled for October 5, 2027, and inheritable tickets for the 2640 finale are priced at 2,640 euros. Cage originally composed the piece in 1985 and revised it for organ in 1987.
Key facts
- The 17th chord change occurred on August 5, 2026, in the Burchardi Church, Halberstadt, Germany.
- The chord change from seven to eight notes marks about 4% completion of the 639-year performance.
- The piece, 'ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)', began on September 5, 2001, and is scheduled to finish on September 4, 2640.
- The project was initiated in 2000, with the performance starting in 2001.
- More than 150 people attended the chord change, with dozens more watching via livestream.
- The next chord change is scheduled for October 5, 2027, when the E4 pipe will be released.
- Inheritable 'final tickets' for the 2640 finale are sold for 2,640 euros ($3,045).
- The organ builder Johannes Hüfken says the pipes will last at least another 500 years.
Entities
Artists
- John Cage
Institutions
- John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt
- John Cage Trust
- Burchardi Church
Locations
- Halberstadt
- Germany
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Glasgow
- Scotland