Customer Reviews for 4' 33"
mssmm
Location: from como italy
Difficulty Level:
Not sure
March 13, 2012
' "
drole piece that resembles marche funebre de alphonse allais. I like frank zappa version. the graphic score ( 6777a edition peters ) is much better
6 of 10 people found this review helpful.
mark_r
Location: from Vancouver, BC
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
March 31, 2011
Simply Amazing
I love this piece. Every time I hear it I am moved by the music. I wish I had more opportunity to play it though. Whenever I practice it in my apartment, my neighbour gets upset.
25 of 38 people found this review helpful.
teledyn
Location: from Owen Sound, ON
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
December 11, 2010
Some background and context for the piece
There is an excellent backgrounder essay for 4'33" at http://solomonsmusic.net/4min33se.htm complete with the historical context and precidents for the work, a comparison to contemporary ideas in figure-ground and perception and many details of the first performance. "John Cage had been recently asked about the piece and that he had said that it was very important to understand that every note of the piece had been composed. It is, in philosophical hindsight, very important to understand that he had completed a compositional process in order to produce this piece . . . . It is very important to read the notation. It presents the impression that time is passing." (David Tutor)
19 of 35 people found this review helpful.
Anonnie
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
November 11, 2009
Genius, however...
Yes I understand the piece. A genius artistic move to have the audience become aware of the ambient sounds around them. However, why purchase it for probably a total sum of 15 bucks (currency exchange, shipping, taxes), when most people have it memorized already?
33 of 61 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
January 12, 2009
Outdoor Performance
This piece would be interesting for an outdoor recital!
35 of 66 people found this review helpful.
789
Location: from The Moon
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
December 19, 2008
Some of you just don't understand....
If you treat this piece like any other, then you are doing it an injustice. This is the boldest thing that was done in all of 20th century music. If you treat this as just some jerk sitting at a piano for 4 minutes and 33 seconds, then yes, it is an insipidly moronic idea. If you look at this as more of a statement, I think you'll find it has a much deeper meaning. You have to understand that what Cage wanted was for you to start thinking about what music really is. I think a respectable musician at least has to give this concept a chance. Anyone who immediately dismisses this work as "stupid" or "pointless" is a hard-headed fool who doesn't deserve to be a musician. If you disagree with me, go listen to some Elgar. Have a nice day.
43 of 74 people found this review helpful.
Tribs
Location: from Menifee, CA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
July 21, 2007
Most versatile work in my repetoire
A great work of art, different every time and performable with any size/type of ensemble. I plan to perform it in a recital next semester.
22 of 44 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from --
January 11, 2007
How it Works
Most people don't get it, but this music isn't stupid or anything. The whole point is to get some friends together, sit down, and listen to it (nothing essentially) for 4 minutes and 33 seconds. Why? Because if you do, what will you hear? Your friends aren't going to be quiet...they're going to be confused! What going on? they'll ask. Someone may get bored and start drumming their fingers. A plane could go by overhead. This all adds to this piece of music! The whole point was to listen to the world around you...the music that's already there! Plus, the music changes every time it is played! How cool is that? (Oh, but don't BUY it! Though, Cage actually did write out a whole bunch of notes that do equal 4'3'') Oh, and try to "play" it at a piano with a straight face while you turn the pages at the right times. I can't think of many musicians who could do that without cracking up.
32 of 53 people found this review helpful.
learjeff
Location: from Durham, NC USA
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
May 8, 2006
My favorite Cage composition
Arguably his most inspiring and controversial piece, 4'33" sets the standard for future minimalist and aleatoric compositions -- at least, if we have any luck at all. Unfortunately, it never gets any radio play. The Andy Warhol of classical music, Cage never surpassed this little gem. Note that it's techically very demanding, and performance almost always requires an accomplished professional page-turner.
18 of 39 people found this review helpful.
A guy who doesn't pretend, to impress
Location: from Minneapolis, MN
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
March 19, 2006
....
The only reason I think someone should buy this is if they're a big John Cage fan, and just want something to add to their collection. Other than that, there really isn't a practical purpose to buying this. Nobody needs a piece of paper to tell them to be quiet, and before anyone reading this says "This guy just doesn't understand", it is very possible to understand something and still not like (just like a bad joke). That being said, it's probably the best avant-garde piece ever written, which tells what I think of most 20th century "serious" music.
18 of 39 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
January 19, 2006
Genius
this piece is amazing, you dont need sheet music to play it but i think the idea they actually printed it out is hilarious but this work is subtle and makes you think... if you feel that this is a 4 minute 33 second waste of time then you have obviously have no understanding of the music and in turn what music surrounds you
22 of 43 people found this review helpful.
mb
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
September 27, 2005
At long last, a piece of silence...
In today's overbusy world it is refreshing to be able to focus on the most simple music of all- silence. For insightful composer John Cage this reality came to light as the breakthrough "silence" piece 4'33". It's piece that has the potential to move the listener more than few other pieces can. A brilliant piece.
17 of 34 people found this review helpful.
Art is for Appreciation
Location: from Washington
July 25, 2005
Misunderstood piece
This piece of music is more about what it isn't than what it is. The piece forces the audience to consider the nature of sound. And if you think it's so simple or even moronic, ask yourself why no one did it before Cage?
20 of 39 people found this review helpful.
A Musician
Location: from San Diego, California
July 20, 2005
Avant garde at its most insipidly moroni
Avant garde at its most insipidly moronic. A "piece" of "music" in which the instrumentalist simply doesn't do anything? Sounds like a mediocre comedy sketch. Why on earth is this thing even published?
22 of 47 people found this review helpful.
k. koechley
Location: from San Francisco, CA
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
March 15, 2005
"silence" doesn't exist.....
This piece isn't about the sheet music. But it is certainly a composition, for sure. The only thing is, the composer of this music is not Cage. He is simply pointing us in the right direction, to hear the music made by life. Most people don't get it, but it is a powerful and beautiful thing once you do. And it will change your life. Once you hear the music around you all the time, you won't need an iPod -- you'll just need to listen.... and enjoy. Most people don't get it, but it is a powerful and beautiful thing once you do. And it will change your life. Once you hear the music around you all the time, you won't need an iPod -- you just need to listen... and enjoy.
22 of 43 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Marietta, Ga
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
March 5, 2005
What?
What is this? I paid [...] for 3 movements of tacet??? You're joking right? I could have thrown my high school transcript on the music stand and gotten as much music out of it!
18 of 37 people found this review helpful.
Old Codger
Location: from Atlanta, GA
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
February 10, 2005
AMAZING!!!
[...]The preview pages are the entire piece!!! That said, what a great idea. Anyone can perform this piece!
17 of 37 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from mn
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
January 25, 2004
yo yo jamma
this is probably one of the toughest pieces john cage ever did. This may be my favorite piece by him because it just speaks to your soul. the use of silence adds a eery presence, and as the final note strikes if you aren't moved then something is wrong with you
14 of 34 people found this review helpful.