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Friday, January 16, 2004

A Treat For Music Lovers
Radio 3 tonight broadcasts a rare performance of John Cage's 'seminal' piece 4'33 which does not contain a single note.
Radio 3 is to broadcast the entire composition live, even having to switch off its emergency system which cuts in when there is apparent silence.
The performance by The BBC Symphony Orchestra takes place on Friday night at London's Barbican Centre.
Cage's reasoning for composing 4'33" was to demonstrate that "wherever we are what we hear mostly is noise".
Don't worry if you hear someone snoring - it's all part and parcel of the piece.
I have to say, I think it's one of Cage's better works.
There was a chap on the radio this morning getting very excited about it as he had never heard it performed by a complete orchestra before - he'd only heard the piano version!
Make sure you tune in early.