As Slow as Possible at Aarhus Festival

A tribute to slowness

As Slow as Possible challenges your perception of time, tempo and music. John Cage's work is designed to be played as slowly as possible, and during Aarhus Festival you can experience a special six-hour version in the Abbey Church by Vor Frue Kirke.

In Halberstadt, Germany, a performance of the work is planned to last 639 years, continuing until 2640. In Aarhus, the concept is condensed into six hours, with an organ-playing mechanism performing on the church organ from morning until afternoon.

Music, time and patience

As Slow as Possible was composed in a version for organ in 1987 and also exists in an earlier version for piano. The work explores how slowly music can unfold and how far a performance can be extended within both human and non-human timeframes.

In the Abbey Church, time itself becomes part of the experience. Changes in tone happen at long intervals, allowing you to experience for yourself how much time passes from one musical shift to the next.

Practical information

• As Slow as Possible takes place in the Abbey Church by Vor Frue Kirke in Aarhus.
• The performance runs from 10:00 to 16:00 on event days.
• Admission is free.
• The venue is suitable for wheelchair users.
• The organiser is Aarhus Festival.

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