World’s Slowest Concert: Organ to Play Until 2640

WHO:

ABC News - Jeffrey Lependorf, executive director of the John Cage Trust in New York

ABC News - Anneli Borgmann, chairwoman of the John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt's board of trustees

ABC News - John Cage, American avant-garde composer

WHAT:

NY Post - The John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt is set to play one composition until 2640.

ABC News - A rare chord change occurred, changing from seven notes to eight with the addition of an A4 pipe, representing about 4% completion of the 639-year project.

ABC News - The performance began on September 5, 2001, with a silent pause until February 5, 2003, when the first chords were heard.

ABC News - The next chord change is scheduled for October 5, 2027, when the sound will be reduced by the E4 pipe.

ABC News - Inheritable “final tickets” for the September 4, 2640 event are being sold for 2,640 euros ($3,045).

WHERE:

ABC News - The project is located in Halberstadt, Germany, specifically in the medieval Burchardi Church.

WHEN:

ABC News - The project commenced in 2000.

ABC News - The performance began on September 5, 2001.

ABC News - The first chords were heard on February 5, 2003.

ABC News - The composition is scheduled to finish on September 4, 2640.

WHY:

ABC News - The time frame of 639 years was chosen to honor a historic organ in Halberstadt that dates back to 1361.

HOW:

ABC News - An electric-powered blower system is used to send wind into the organ to create a continuous sound.

ABC News - The interpretation of the composition allows for the smallest unit of time to be one month long, with other units and silences lasting years.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 18:31 UTC)

The John Cage Organ Project in Halberstadt, Germany, is making headlines as it continues to play a single composition that will last until the year 2640, with a recent rare chord change marking about 4% completion of this 639-year endeavor. This change occurred with the addition of an A4 pipe, and the next scheduled chord change will take place on October 5, 2027, when the sound will be reduced by the E4 pipe. In a unique twist, inheritable “final tickets” for the grand event on September 4, 2640, are being sold for 2,640 euros, which is approximately $3,045.