John Cage’s
“4’33””
Movement I
Tacet.
The beat begins.
The steady rhythm pulses
pulses. pulses. Someone coughs.
Solo Rubato.
A chair creeks.
Ritardando.
A child fusses.
Diminuendo.
The tension rises.
appassionato.
The beat increases.
Breathing stilled.
Maestro pauses, so strong willed.
Movement II
Tacet.
A Tempo,
Smoother, spianato
Lights on the stage hum something legato.
Sisters, row seven, simultaneously shift their
position.
The air conditioning clicks on and each ear takes
a listen.
Quick mezzo-forte the crowd grows restless.
Four guests cough, one sneezes, one blesses.
The air clicks off. Recapitulation.
Breath blends with buzzing, tight intonation.
The final two measures are measured and still
The maestro ceases and puts down his quill.
Movement III
Tacet
Allegro,
Snare clock ticking,
subdivided by wristwatch cadences clicking.
Restless leg tapping fast slapping the floor,
accents, staccato, scatter the score.
A beep, babe asleep, hiccup peep, wake and
weep.
Subito piano a rushed hush meant to keep
the silent tension alive, well, and deep.
But the buzzing of lights and the AC swell
rises.
Maestro’s eyes widen at climactic surprises.
A quiet sforzando of audience stretching
and improvisational serenity sketching.
He holds the fermata to 4’34.
The concert hall bursts in applaudious roar.
