Iolet: The Music of Anathem
August 22nd, 02008 by Alexander Rose
In Neal Stephenson’s new novel Anathem, the Decanarian Erasmus’ daily chore is to ring the Clock bells in his “Math” in a special sequence each day as he chants out the sequence. Those sequences and chants are all based on mathematical formulae that composer and coder David Stutz has put together into an album called Iolet. Stutz calls the music “a pseudo-liturgical use of mathematics and higher thinking.” You can see more background from Stutz on the album here. (In addition you might find some of the excerpts recently released from the book’s extensive glossary worth a peek.)
Most wonderfully Stephenson and Stutz are directing the profits of the album (released through CD Baby) to us here at The Long Now Foundation to help in our efforts to build the Millennium Clock that was one of the inspirations of the book. We will also have a live performance of the album at the launch event on September 9th 02008 in San Francisco, and it will be available for sale at the event and on the web after the 9th.
And here is what some others have had to say about the album:
“It sounds like the neo-Gregorian chanting that accompanies ritual baby sacrifice in horror films.” -Steven Levy [in Wired]
“I’ve just listened to several of the songs on this CD and, frankly, this is some weird shit.” - Al Billings [in In Pursuit of Mysteries Boing Boing]
August 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Your Cory Doctorow quote above is Cory quoting *me*.
- A Long Now Member (under my first name, Louis)
August 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
How about renaming your group to The Long Ego Foundation?
August 26th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
LONG EGO FOUNDATION. Yes, that’s my opinion. Into censorship?
August 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for the heads up Al - we’ve fixed the attribution and added a link to your original post.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
I’m looking for the CD in CDBaby and it’s not yet there. At least I’m not finding it. Any other way I can get it?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Heather,
According to David Stutz, who created it, full versions will be made available at the Long Now event for Anathem (and I expect, after that) with proceeds to go to the foundation.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:22 am
A bit annoyed; Amazon made it look like a copy of the CD would be included with the retail version of the book, but it was not. still, would like to buy from CD Baby or this blog (and still waiting for the links)
September 11th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I’m eager to buy a copy of this as well - doesn’t look like it’s available yet on cdbaby. Love the idea though, and the samples I’ve heard are really great.
September 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
You can order the CD’s over the phone from The Long Now Museum and Store - 415.561.6582 x3 - we’ll have a link to purchase them from CD Baby as soon as they have them available.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:19 am
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October 13th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Erasmas is on the clock winding crew. He doesn’t ring bells. The bell ringers are Tulia and Ala…among others I am sure.