Title
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
Fall 2010
Abstract
In this essay, I investigate musical silence. I first discuss how to integrate the concept of silence into a general theory or definition of music. I then consider the possibility of an entirely silent musical piece. I begin with John Cage’s 4′33″, since it is the most notorious candidate for a silent piece of music, even though it is not, in fact, silent. I conclude that it is not music either, but I argue that it is a piece of non-musical sound art, rather than simply a piece of theatre, as Stephen Davies has argued. I end with consideration of several other candidates for entirely silent pieces, concluding that two of these are in fact pieces of music consisting entirely of silence.
Identifier
10.1111/j.1540-6245.2010.01429.x
Publisher
Wiley
Repository Citation
Kania, A. (2010). Silent music. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 68(4), 343-353. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6245.2010.01429.x
Publication Information
The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism