In Futurum
Erwin Schulhoff, 1919
John Cage’s 4’33” is neither the only nor the first entirely “silent” score.
33 years before 4’33”, in In Futurum by Erwin Schullhoff, in 1919, the third piece from the 5 pittoresques opus 31 for piano, the score consists solely of musical signs representing the various silences. The rhythm of the right hand is in 7/5 while the left hand plays in a rhythm of 7/10 !
Impossible to play except in silence…
from Five Pittoresques for Piano.
Sheet of paper, 29, 5 X 21 cm.
Here is a performance by Gerard Bouwhuis in the concert given by Ebony Band, on 25 April 2013 at the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam.