Mathematics For The End Of Time
January 15, 2016 9:24 AM   Subscribe

Interned in a Polish prison camp during World War II, French composer Olivier Messaien composed Quartet for the End of Time. To mark the 75th anniversary of its premiere at the camp, animator Simon Russell and mathematician Marcus du Sautoy have created a vlisualisation for the first movement, 'Crystal Liturgy'.
posted by Devonian (6 comments total) 15 users marked this as a favorite
 
Sadly not available for viewing in the US. I'm bummed, this piece is one of my favorite bits of chamber music. My favorite movement is the third, Abyss of Birds. I saw it performed live in Santa Fe one time and it was just breathtaking.
posted by Nelson at 9:29 AM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]


Apologies for that - of course, these problems (which infuriate me in so many ways) are invisible if you're not affected by them. I didn't want to editorialise in the FPP itself, but I think the video is exceptionally well done, so I hope a non-restricted version turns up soon.
posted by Devonian at 9:43 AM on January 15, 2016


Excellent video. Thanks for posting. Wherever else, besides the U.S., this is blocked, if you have access to a UK proxy, this will be viewable.
posted by the sobsister at 1:04 PM on January 15, 2016


“a Polish prison camp”?
posted by acb at 1:09 PM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]


Thanks for the hint. I was finally able to watch this in the US with Unblock Youtube Proxy. No VPN required, just a web page.

It's a lovely animation! I like that it's a mix of abstract and yet concrete. Sort of a modern mathematical Fantasia and nice for it.

Messiaen was famously synesthesic, he experienced music as colors. IIRC the score contains annotations about what color the chords are.
posted by Nelson at 2:35 PM on January 15, 2016 [1 favorite]


Apparently, the geoblock was in error and they're trying to fix it...
posted by Devonian at 3:32 PM on January 15, 2016


« Older Mail Order Brides   |   when the facts change... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments