[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.51,0:00:05.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For many of us right now,\Nour lives are quieter than normal. Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.98,0:00:08.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And quiet can be unnerving. Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.85,0:00:10.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can make you feel lonely, Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.40,0:00:13.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or just all too aware\Nof the things you're missing out on. Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.43,0:00:16.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think about sound all the time. Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.93,0:00:18.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm a sound designer, Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.14,0:00:20.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I host the podcast\N"Twenty Thousand Hertz." Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.11,0:00:24.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's all about the world's most\Nrecognizable and interesting sounds. Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.20,0:00:28.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I think this is the perfect time\Nto talk about silence. Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.08,0:00:30.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because what I've come to understand Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.82,0:00:34.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that there is no such thing as silence. Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.26,0:00:38.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the person who opened\Nmy mind to this idea Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.26,0:00:41.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is one of the most influential\Ncomposers in history. Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.36,0:00:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Piano music) Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.32,0:00:46.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage has made an impact\Non artists in many genres, Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.94,0:00:50.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from avant-garde musicians,\Nto modern dance, to pop music. Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.11,0:00:53.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right now, we're listening\Nto his 1948 piece Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.45,0:00:54.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called "In a Landscape." Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.86,0:00:58.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This version was recorded in 1994\Nby Stephen Drury. Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.41,0:01:04.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Piano music) Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.79,0:01:08.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This piece is actually not very typical\Nof John Cage's writing. Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.67,0:01:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He's more known for his innovations\Nand avant-garde techniques. Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.21,0:01:14.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But despite his reputation, Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.23,0:01:18.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no one was prepared\Nfor what he did in 1952, Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.78,0:01:22.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when he created the most daring\Npiece of his career. Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.66,0:01:26.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was called "4'33''," Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.17,0:01:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was a piece that some critics\Neven refused to call "music," Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.32,0:01:33.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because for the entire\Nduration of the piece, Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.91,0:01:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the performer plays Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.13,0:01:37.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nothing at all. Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.24,0:01:41.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, to be technical,\Nthe performer is actually playing rest. Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.83,0:01:44.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But to the audience,\Nit looks like nothing is happening. Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.60,0:01:48.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage's "4'33''"\Nwas performed for the first time Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.32,0:01:50.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the summer of 1952, Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.25,0:01:52.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by renowned pianist David Tudor. Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.67,0:01:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was at the Maverick Concert hall\Nin Woodstock, New York. Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.61,0:01:59.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a beautiful wooden building\Nwith huge openings to the outdoors. Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.68,0:02:01.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, David Tudor walked out on stage, Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.93,0:02:03.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sat down at the piano, Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.52,0:02:05.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then closed the piano lid. Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.87,0:02:07.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He then sat in silence, Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.30,0:02:09.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only moving to open\Nand close the piano lid Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.84,0:02:12.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between each of the three movements. Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.46,0:02:13.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After the time was up, Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.81,0:02:14.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he got up Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.00,0:02:16.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and walked off the stage. Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.54,0:02:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Piano music) Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.00,0:02:21.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The audience had no idea what to think. Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.04,0:02:26.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It made people wonder if Cage\Nis even taking his career seriously. Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.12,0:02:27.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A close friend even wrote to him, Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.88,0:02:31.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,begging that he not turn\Nhis career into a joke. Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.28,0:02:33.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage had, well, if you could call it, Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.62,0:02:35.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,composed a piece of music Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.32,0:02:38.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that really challenged\Nsome very established ideas Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.78,0:02:40.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about music composition. Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.34,0:02:43.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's something that musicians\Nstill debate today. Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.26,0:02:46.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To understand just what\NJohn Cage was thinking, Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.81,0:02:48.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's back up to the 1940s. Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.61,0:02:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Back then, Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.79,0:02:53.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage was making a name for himself\Ncomposing for the prepared piano. Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.86,0:02:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Piano music) Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.10,0:02:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To make music like this, Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.34,0:02:59.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage would put objects\Ninside the piano, Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.15,0:03:00.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between the strings. Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.78,0:03:02.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things you just find lying around, Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.47,0:03:05.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like screws, tape and rubber erasers. Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.83,0:03:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now, you've transformed the piano Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.10,0:03:10.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from a tonal instrument\Nwith high and low pitches Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.96,0:03:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into a collection of unique sounds. Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.80,0:03:16.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The music you're hearing \Nis Cage's "Sonata V," Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.58,0:03:18.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from "Sonatas and Interludes\Nfor Prepared Piano." Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.37,0:03:22.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Probably his most famous work\Noutside of "4'33''." Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.70,0:03:25.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This version was performed\Nby Boris Berman. Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.100,0:03:28.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage wrote incredibly\Ndetailed instructions Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.78,0:03:31.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about where to place\Neach object in the piano. Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.62,0:03:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's impossible for every performer\Nto get the exact same objects, Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.89,0:03:38.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so the sound you get is always different. Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.41,0:03:41.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, it comes down to random chance. Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.46,0:03:43.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was pretty bananas and pretty alien Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.94,0:03:47.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the way most composers and musicians\Nare taught to do things. Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.93,0:03:51.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage was becoming\Nincreasingly interested Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.48,0:03:53.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in chance and randomness Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.69,0:03:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and letting the universe\Nprovide the answer to the question Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.52,0:03:58.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What note should I play next?" Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.21,0:04:01.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But to hear the answer to the question, Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.44,0:04:03.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,first, you have to listen. Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.56,0:04:05.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in the 1940s, Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.04,0:04:08.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,listening to the universe\Nwas getting harder to do. Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.46,0:04:10.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Elevator music) Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.31,0:04:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Muzak company was founded in the '30s. Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.66,0:04:13.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It really took off, Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.88,0:04:17.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and soon, there was constant\Nbackground music nearly everywhere. Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.91,0:04:19.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was almost impossible to escape. Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.58,0:04:23.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage realized\Nthat people were losing the option Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.73,0:04:26.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to shut out the background\Nmusic of the world. Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.46,0:04:30.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He worried that Muzak would prevent people\Nfrom hearing silence altogether. Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.45,0:04:32.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In 1948, Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.78,0:04:35.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,four years before he wrote "4'33''," Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.46,0:04:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage mentioned\Nthat he wanted to write Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.52,0:04:40.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a four-and-a-half-minute-long\Npiece of silence Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.05,0:04:42.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sell it to the Muzak company. Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.48,0:04:44.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It started as something\Nof a political statement Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.83,0:04:46.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or an offhand comment, Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.82,0:04:49.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this idea struck a nerve\Nand quickly evolved. Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.18,0:04:53.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage was starting to think\Ndeeply about silence. Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.98,0:04:57.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when he visited a truly quiet place, Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.34,0:04:59.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he made a startling discovery. Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.20,0:05:04.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage visited an anechoic chamber\Nat Harvard University. Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.38,0:05:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anechoic chambers are rooms\Nthat are acoustically treated Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.10,0:05:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to minimize sound to almost zero. Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.91,0:05:11.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are no sounds in these rooms, Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.74,0:05:14.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so John Cage didn't expect\Nto hear anything at all. Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.10,0:05:18.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But he actually heard\Nhis own blood circulating. Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.17,0:05:19.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Pulse) Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.88,0:05:22.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've personally experienced\Nan anechoic chamber, Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.16,0:05:24.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a really wild experience Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.14,0:05:26.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that can completely change\Nyour perceptions Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.43,0:05:28.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about sound and silence. Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.93,0:05:31.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It really felt like my brain\Njust turning up an amplifier, Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.100,0:05:34.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,grasping for anything to hear. Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.58,0:05:35.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just like John Cage, Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.88,0:05:39.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could very clearly hear my blood\Npushing through my body. Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.84,0:05:42.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage realized, in that moment, Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.22,0:05:46.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that no matter where we are,\Neven our bodies are making sound. Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.79,0:05:50.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's basically no such thing\Nas true silence. Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.95,0:05:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As long as you are in your body, Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.07,0:05:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you're always hearing something. Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.54,0:05:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is where John Cage's interest\Nin chance and randomness Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.58,0:06:00.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,met his interest in silence. Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.26,0:06:04.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He realized that creating an environment\Nwith no distractions Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.65,0:06:06.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wasn't about creating silence. Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.22,0:06:09.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't even about controlling noise. Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.15,0:06:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was about the sounds\Nthat were already there, Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.19,0:06:15.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but you suddenly hear for the first time Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.70,0:06:18.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're really ready to listen. Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.20,0:06:22.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what's so often\Nmisunderstood about "4'33''." Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.38,0:06:24.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People assume it's a joke, Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.25,0:06:26.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but that couldn't be further\Nfrom the truth. Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.92,0:06:29.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It sounds different\Neverywhere you play it. Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.24,0:06:30.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's the point. Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.91,0:06:33.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What John Cage really wanted us to hear Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.78,0:06:36.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is the beauty of the sonic\Nworld around us. Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.87,0:06:40.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Birds chirping) Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.78,0:06:45.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Overlapping voices) Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.19,0:06:49.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Church bell ringing) Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.06,0:06:53.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Crickets chirping and owl hooting) Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.98,0:06:56.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"4'33''" should be a mindful experience Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.36,0:07:00.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that helps you focus on accepting things\Njust the way they are. Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.59,0:07:04.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not something that anyone else\Ncan tell you how you're supposed to feel. Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.65,0:07:06.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's deeply personal. Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.54,0:07:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also brings up\Nsome pretty big questions Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.94,0:07:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about our sonic world. Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.83,0:07:13.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is "4'33''" music, is it sound, Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.39,0:07:14.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is sound music? Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.90,0:07:16.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is there even a difference? Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.92,0:07:18.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,John Cage reminds us Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.52,0:07:22.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that music isn't the only kind of sound\Nworth listening to. Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.55,0:07:24.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All sounds are worth thinking about. Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.34,0:07:27.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.74,0:07:29.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to reset our ears. Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.84,0:07:32.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if we become more conscious\Nof what we hear, Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.63,0:07:35.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'll inherently make\Nour world sound better. Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.15,0:07:40.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Quietness is not when we turn off\Nour minds to sound, Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.58,0:07:42.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but when we can really start to listen Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.61,0:07:45.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hear the world\Nin all of its sonic beauty. Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.18,0:07:47.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in this spirit, Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.83,0:07:50.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let's perform "4'33''" together, Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.44,0:07:51.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wherever you are. Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.100,0:07:53.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's three movements, Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.18,0:07:55.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'll let you know when they start. Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.04,0:07:58.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Listen to the texture and rhythm\Nof the sounds around you right now. Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.04,0:08:00.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Listen for the loud and soft, Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.69,0:08:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the harmonic, the dissonant, Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.52,0:08:06.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all the small details\Nthat make every sound unique. Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.67,0:08:11.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Spend this time as mindful and focused\Nin this real-life sonic moment. Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.28,0:08:15.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Enjoy the magnificence\Nof hearing and listening. Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.33,0:08:18.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So here comes the first movement. Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.29,0:08:19.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Starting ... Dialogue: 0,0:08:19.64,0:08:21.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,now. Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.06,0:08:22.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[I. Tacet] Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.24,0:08:23.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(No audio) Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.16,0:08:51.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And here's movement two. Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.78,0:08:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It will be two minutes and 23 seconds. Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.95,0:08:56.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[II. Tacet] Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.13,0:08:57.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(No audio) Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.84,0:11:19.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And here is the final movement. Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.60,0:11:22.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It will be one minute and 40 seconds. Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.09,0:11:24.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[III. Tacet] Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.26,0:11:25.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(No audio) Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.21,0:13:04.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's it. Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.44,0:13:05.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We did it. Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.12,0:13:07.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thanks for listening.