Extreme minimalism Monday: sounds of silence

by PJ Doland on Jul 9, 2007

The extreme minimalist finally broke down last week and bought himself an iPod. He feels a little guilty about the unnecessary material acquisition, but he likes being able to carry around his recordings of John Cage’s 4’33″.

He asked me to share this video with you this week. It’s his favorite recording of the piece, from a televised concert.

The extreme minimalist also uses this piece as the ringtone for his mobile phone, which is probably why we can never seem to reach him.

7 comments posted

  1. Posted by Jerry Brito - 07/09/2007

    LOL! This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen! I must be such a philistine.

  2. Posted by gillian - 07/09/2007

    I really hope he got the iPod to listen to other pieces than just Cage’s. Because, according to the composer’s aesthetics, the music would be in the ambient sounds around you as you’re listening to the piece, so having the iPod is just a means of making it all official. You could probably do just as well with a stopwatch.

    /says the former music graduate, who spent too much time talking about that piece

  3. Posted by Melinda - 07/09/2007

    ROFLOL…. I’m sorry. From a music minor, this is just a very funny piece.

  4. Posted by Nora Rocket - 07/09/2007

    “The extreme minimalist also uses this piece as the ringtone for his mobile phone, which is probably why we can never seem to reach him.”

    *INSERT DANNY THOMAS COFFEE SPITTAKE HERE*

    Hi-LAR-ious.

  5. Posted by Aron - 07/09/2007

    Perfect! Just gonna check out if they sell it on iTunes…

  6. Posted by Temoshi - 07/09/2007

    I’m not exactly sure why you would feel guilty about buying an iPod. In my opinion, having a good MP3 player is essential to a clutter-free (or at least low clutter) lifestyle. It’s really all you need for good music at home, at work, or in the car. It eliminates the need to haul around your favorite CDs, or to have physical media at all. So… yeah.

  7. Posted by DoctorEternal - 07/18/2007

    As a composer if orchestral music, all I can say is “Give me those 4’33″ and stop wasting time and money!” If you want 4’33″ of coughs, breathing, chair squeaks, etc., do it in a cafeteria, a library or any public place where people can be told to shut up.

    This piece frustrates the crap out of me.

    Doctor Eternal

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