Friday, March 11, 2011

Voyager's Golden Record

Last night I had a tragic dream about the Space Shuttle (it blew up), so I've had the space program on my mind all morning.  Which got me thinking about the Voyager 1 space probe that was launched into outer space in the summer of 1977.  The record is made of copper and plated in gold and contains a lot of information.  Much of it is technical and scientific in nature, but the record also includes sounds of ocean waves, birdsong, and whales singing.  It also has lots of music.

The music on the Golden Record was intended to show the diversity of our planet's humanity.  There is music from India, China, Zaire, and Australia.  Bach' Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 Mvmt 1 and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony are featured, and representing the U.S. is Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode and Melancholy Blues from Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven.  Stravinsky's Rite of Spring represents Russia and France, and an aria from Mozart's Die Zauberflote appears from Austria/Germany.  Russian folk music and radio broadcasts are also included.

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