The first note in 2011; last one due in 616 years’ time

Composers count themselves lucky when musicians continue to perform their music after their death.

But the American avant-garde composer John Cage, who died in 1992, never would have guessed that a single performance of his music would begin in 2001 and still be playing. In fact, it isn’t due to conclude for another 616 years.

In a marathon performance like this, any little change becomes big news. On February 5, 2011, for instance, one of the first three notes stopped sounding, after being sustained for eight years. On February 5, another note will begin playing – the first since February 5, 2022. This one will be