Synthesist and composer Michael Stearns (Planetary Unfolding, Chronos) has premiered a new work, the soundtrack to an immersive 3D dome production, Beyond Chaos.
Beyond Chaos celebrates the 100th anniversary of mathematician and visionary Benoît Mandelbrot. For non-mathematicians, it’s hard to see the beauty behind the abstract numbers and symbols. Mandelbrot found in the mathematics a visual world both exotic and familiar, the world of Fractals. The shapes of fractals can be found in nature, from the shell of a Nautilus to fern leaves to lightning strikes.
Stearns is best known for his soundtracks to Ron Fricke’s epochal 70MM movies Chronos, Baraka and Samsara. Stearns has worked on 22 IMAX films, released 17 studio albums, contributed musical pieces to Avatar and Titanic and scored for the Berkshire Ballet.
Beyond Chaos is designed for the experimenta dome, one of Europe’s largest, with 3D projection and high-definition immersive 30 channel sound. Stearn’s palette of electronic and acoustic instruments creates a dynamic soundtrack for the evolving images, resulting in a “vivid symbiosis of sound and picture”.
Beyond Chaos is officially opening for the public on October 17th at the experimenta dome in Heilbronn, Germany. Here’s the official preview:
The Beyond Chaos production consists of three movements, “Nature”, “Architecture” and “Brain”, each 12 minutes long. These movements are composed of shorter themes which weave together in a linear fashion.
The Beyond Chaos soundtrack is available now via Bandcamp. You can preview it below:
In the words of Vader, “Impressive”. What a generational talent this man is.
Fuck yeah!
I have been binging Planetary Unfolding lately. Complete mastery of the Serge modular! I could do without all the woo woo new age proclivities, but no one can deny this mans raw talent! Curious to discover this new offering.
Planetary Unfolding is a real classic, even with the ’70s ‘new age proclivities’. The synth work is just fantastic, and Stearn’s ability to create a massive cinematic arrangement with a modular is amazing.
You can hear why he went on to score so many soundtracks.
It’s extremely impressive. I have a hard time getting my head around it, and an even harder time getting my patches to be anywhere near as good-sounding! I like the stuff from Chronos onward OK (albeit less), but the Morning Jewel and especially Planetary Unfolding albums are outstanding.