Speaking of, 'hem, art, those so inclined may enjoy this televised performance of John Cage's 4'33". We are treated to nothing less than the full orchestral arrangement, the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican; and if the credits are to be, er, credited, there is even a piano soloist. Gavin Bryars conducting. The piece of course has widely varying effects depending on the performance venue, and as the earnest and genial announcer points out, the possibility of experiencing the work at home opens up whole new realms of interpretation, a wonderful example of serendipitous synergy between technological progress and classical performance. My personal take is that the home venue enormously augments the humoresque character of the piece, an aspect of 4'33" that I had not heretofore appreciated in quite this fashion. This effect is, however, largely dependent upon the studio audience's general obliviousness (or affectation thereof) to precisely the aforementioned humoresque facet of the piece.

I hope I may one day experience a true dream performance of the work, which I believe might involve the non-orchestral participation of renowned critics-as-artists Tom Servo and Crow.

(Thanks to Languagehat.)