Ile trwa 4’33” Johna Cage’a?
Why can’t John Cage’s 4’33” last for 4’33”?

Summary/Abstract: Cage’s “silent” 4’33” is the first piece in history to provide its precise duration in its title. And yet it fails to fulfil its promise. This is the fault of the tripartite form with no sound content to be performed. During the performance, the performer marks the transitions between the movements with his or her own motions; this results in additional time. The gestures that separate the movements cannot be omitted. Thus 4’33” will either last longer than 4’33,” and then it ceases to be 4’33”, or last exactly 4’33” but then the movements become shorter than in the score, and this, again, makes it no longer 4’33”. All performances of 4’33” must be imperfect that way. The piece is usually performed a little longer than 4’33”.

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