All Over Albany

Silent music. 99 times.

John Cage was a happy genius.

This weekend, 99 musical acts in a row will give their interpretations of John Cage's classic experimental work "4'33" at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. The concert will celebrate what would have been the composer's 99th birthday.

"4'33"' is probably Cage's most famous work. It featured Cage sitting at the piano and delivering four minutes and 33 seconds of musical silence in three movements. The piece was designed to test the philosophic limits of what qualifies as music, as well as to make the listener aware of all of the other ambient sounds happening around them.

So far, about 30 groups and solo artists have signed up for the concert and the Arts Center is hoping to get all 99 slots filled. All musicians with any level of musical competency and experience are invited to sign up and can bring any kind of instrument, or use the house piano. The concert, which is co-organized by the Albany Sonic Arts Collective, will be held in the lobby of the Arts Center and will run from about 9 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m. without any breaks. In total, that will make 450'45" of musical silence. If you'd like to sign up to play the concert, you can email the Arts Center to reserve a time slot: cage91011@gmail.com.

Photo via Blind Flaneur