Sounds of Silence...selecting a CD recording of Cage's 4'33''...?

Forgive if I take your question seriously, for it's an issue I've put too much serious thought into.

I've seen two general approaches:

1) record a group of musicians not playing for 4'33''

2) turn off the microphones for 4'33''

Both of these approaches are not true to the score or the composers intent. It is the difference between passively doing nothing and actively doing nothing.

I strongly believe that 4'33'' is the kind of piece that must be seen live to truly get the effect, that edge of your seat discomfort that lasts to about halfway through in which you sit in stunned disbelief and humour at actually watching such an event. At some point, hopefully before the piece ends, a calm settles the discomfort and there is a moment of poetry that transcends the awkward tension which becomes music. An effect I have not observed on any recording of 4'33'' i've heard, and I've heard many of them, though Frank Zappas' recording comes close.

If one has been conditioned to expect a musical experience (having paid a lot of money to hear a famous pianist, e.g.), it is likely that, in some circumstances, you will hear the 'normal' sounds about you (newspaper vendors, car horns blaring, etc.) as Music - even while the famed pianist sits silent. The one and only performance of this educational work, (or cultural reprimand, if you like) is over now, I regret to inform you.

If the 'performance' were to be repeated, the sound content would be entirely different, quite obviously, and would depend on the sound environment of the new 'performance'...

There was no suggestion that this 'performance' should be archived, obviously, and 'humour' about Cage's bitter comment says such a lot about the 'humorists', maybe?

About 50 years ago, the composer's cynicism about people regarding themselves as 'music lovers' was found to be quite justified, and it is 'interesting' that the topic is still being discussed, often without the slightest inkling of what the composer was politely saying.

The type of person Cage regarded as a pretentious reactionary, a significant barrier to the continuing evolution of Music itself, seems still about us?

(Those who attended Bach's 327th birthday party recently, people that have never heard a note of music composed by those living, unknown and impoverished, in their community, are almost as numerous than they were in Cage's day, perhaps?)

A suggestion I could give you is to listen to an imaginary ipod. That is exactly what Cage wanted you to do - not listen to a recording of 4'33'. Because you're supposed to hear 'natural' sounds of silence not recorded sounds.

I know this doesn't sound like an answer, but I really mean it.

Those recordings are probably for people who would like a little peace and quiet

Someone had a lucrative business selling Marcel Marceau records to parents of teenagers--

until he got in trouble with Marcel Marceau's agent.

Honestly, I like the "old-time" analog quality of records. I would not go for mp3s or cd versions.

Gee, Hafwen, I would love to help here - but I am still struggling with which edition of the piano part to buy. I see so many possibilities for various fingerings and phrasings . . . .