The mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy explores the connections between the creative art of music and the steely logic of maths.
"I fell in love with mathematics about the same time as I started learning the trumpet. Since then I've always been convinced that mathematics and music share much in common. Today, as I sit at my desk, there is often music playing as I try to battle away with the latest mathematical conundrum that I'm wrestling with. In The Essay I've enjoyed exploring what the similarities and differences are between the two art forms." (Marcus du Sautoy, Oct. '07)
Playlist
1/4. Counter-culture
He starts by looking at the rhythmic complexities in Steve Reich, Messiaen, Ewe music from Ghana and a piece which lasts 1,000 years.
Music extracts:
1.
Explorations - Ewe 6/8 Rhythms
The Pan African Orchestra
Realworld CDRW48, Track 7
2.
Steve Reich: Clapping Music
Russ Hartenberger & Steve Reich
Nonesuch 9791692, Track 3
3.
Nitin Sawhney: Beyond Skin - The Conference
Nitin Sawhney
Outcaste CASTE9CD, Track 11
4.
Olivier Messiaen: Quatour pour la Fin du Temps. Liturgie de cristal
Luben Yordanoff (violin), Albert Tetard (cello), Claude Desurmont (clarinet), Daniel Barenboim (piano)
Deutsche Grammophon 4232472, Track 1
5.
Jem Finer: Longplayer
with permission from the composer.
