Naalagiagvik -- The Place Where You Go to Listen

May 6, 2008 6:21 AM

The Song of the Earth -- New Yorker music critic Alex Ross writes on composer John Luther Adams, who has created an installation work at the Museum of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska in which geologic, astronomical, and meteorologic data are converted, in real time, into "a shimmering synthesized carillon." For a tiny hint of the experience, you can watch this Youtube video Hear more about the work from Living on Earth.
posted by fourcheesemac (6 comments total)

More:

Article on New Music Box about Adams and "The Place Where You Go"

John Luther Adams' own essay on the work
posted by fourcheesemac at 6:25 AM on May 6, 2008

I just read the New Yorker article, so it's great to see this on the blue. This sounds like a really great installation, and John Luther Adams is a really interesting composer, imho.
posted by ob at 7:08 AM on May 6, 2008

I had the great fortune to visit the Museum of the North in 2001. Wonderful place. Being with a tour group, we could only stay for an hour. I could have easily stayed several more. That grizzly is big! Thanks for the post F C M.
posted by netbros at 7:19 AM on May 6, 2008

I think the earth needs lessons.
posted by jlowen at 9:36 AM on May 6, 2008

Dude, it's the sound those Talos IV plants made in Star Trek "The Cage" - grab the plant leaves and you can make it stop.
posted by mouthnoize at 11:37 AM on May 6, 2008

I'd like to go check it out. Hopefully, though, without that blissed out dude we see in the youtube clip trying to settle into some sort of cosmic lotus yoga position...

I've heard this composer's name mentioned once or twice, but hadn't heard anything of his. Thanks, 4cm.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:57 PM on May 6, 2008