Piece of music lasting for 639 years has first chord change since 2013

Lengthy composition will come to an end in 2640

People attend an organ performance of John Cage's work 'As Slow As Possible', with the first note change in seven years, in Halberstadt, Germany (REUTERS)

A piece of music that lasts for 639 years has just had its first chord change in seven years.

Music fans assembled at a church in Germany to hear the change that was played on a specially built organ specially designed to play the composition.

The piece, which began being played 19 years ago, was composed by John Cage.

American composer Cage, who died in 1992, wrote the piece in the 1980s. It is titled “As Slow as Possible”.

The composition started in 2001 and is expected to end in 2640.

Its next chord change will take place on 5 February 2022.

Those hoping to hear the music can do so at the Saint Burchardi Church in the city of Halberstadt.

The piece was originally commissioned for a piano competition by The Friends of the Maryland Summer Institute for the Creative and Performing Arts.

Cage’s composition lasts for eight pages