Image from “Music of the Spheres”, a collaboration chat between Gregory Laughlin, a UCSC professor of astronomy and astrophysics whose research delves into orbital dynamics and the evolution of planetary systems, and Philip Glass, one of the most influential composers of this past half-century. The two spoke at this year’s “Brainwave” conference about what it means to “sonify” planetary movements.  Essentially, every movement everywhere creates a sound.  This includes planetary orbits, shifting and interaction with other celestial bodies.  The result is a universal symphony of sorts.  Or cacophony, depending on where you listen. The notion of the Music of the Spheres weighed heavily on Glass as he composed his latest opera, Kepler, which The New York Times describes as a “weighty and tangled” composition. Click here for NPR’s Fresh Air interview with the artist on the celestial inspiration behind his 23rd opera.

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01.17.12 @ 22:02

mandala (A musical palindrome)daniel starr-tambormusic of the spheresbrainpickings

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