• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.100-108
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• 2020

20th century music has been recognized as disconnected. Some criticized that it is not music. This controversy has been continued over decades in music history. This study applied Darwin's evolutionary theory to John Cage's 4'33", the most popular music in 20th century and tried to prove musical continuity embedded in it. 4'33" has always been a subject of controversy because it has no sound. However, the study found out that 4'33" has the common musical factor, the rest. 4'33" can be interpreted as the variation of the rest in evolutionary view. The rest has undergone a variety of variations in form and meaning since the beginning of the musical notation and was suitable for a new musical environment changed in 20th century. In the evolutionary view, 4'33" is evolved music, not disconnected.