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| Part of the 'Longplayer Live' instrument. |
Within Trinity Buoy Wharf Lighthouse is a unique musical experience. A musical composition, entitled 'Longplayer', that will play for 1,000 years.
On the first floor you can walk around part of the 66-foot-wide orchestral instrument, which is used to perform 'Longplayer Live', while listening to 'Longplayer' being streamed into the room.
However, the Lantern Room, at the top of the Lighthouse, is the best place to hear 'Longplayer', while taking in the unique views on offer.
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| 'Longplayer' has been running since the year 2000. |
What is 'Longplayer'?
'Longplayer' is the brainchild of Jem Finer and is a 1,000-year-long musical composition that has been playing continuously since the first moments of the year 2000. It is designed to play on, without interruption and repetition, until the last moments of 2999.
Since it began, 'Longplayer' has been performed simultaneously by a number of computers around the world - from its primary location at Trinity Buoy Wharf Lighthouse to listening posts in Alexandria, Brisbane and San Francisco. It can also be heard anywhere in the world via an online audio stream at Longplayer.org.
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| Singing Bowls. |
How does it work?
Composed by Jem Finer, 'Longplayer' is written for a set of highly resonant 'Singing Bowls', an ancient type of standing bell. These bells are sounded according to a precisely timed score, itself based on six simple algorithms. The resulting music is made up of six continuous, interlocking musical patterns whose harmonic and rhythmic interactions change gradually over hours, days, decades and centuries.
'Longplayer's' score is much like a system of planets which are aligned only once every 1,000 years - its movements are calculable, but take place over expanses of time so vast as to be unknowable to any one person or generation. At the same time, however, 'Longplayer' is one continuous stream of music which stretches from the year 2000 to the year 2999. When you hear 'Longplayer', you are sharing an experience with listeners who will not draw their first breath for more than 950 years.
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| Keilyn listening to 'Longplayer', while taking in the view from the Lantern Room. |
'Longplayer Trust'
Originally commissioned by Artangel, 'Longplayer' is now in the care of the 'Longplayer Trust', a UK registered charity. It has been hosted at Trinity Buoy Wharf Lighthouse since it was first installed in 1999.
The 'Longplayer Trust' is a group of individuals charged with the responsibility of maintaining 'Longplayer' in the present day, researching and implementing more sustainable platforms for its future, and making certain that these responsibilities are passed on to its future caretakers, whoever they might be. In this regard 'Longplayer' has a life of its own - it is programmed to seek out, through this chain of present and future custodians, new strategies for its own adaptability and survival.
More than a piece of music, 'Longplayer' is a social organism, depending on people for its survival and existing as a community of listeners across centuries.
Today, we can listen to it for intimations of the distant and unforeseeable future, just as future listeners will someday listen in for echoes of us.
By listening to 'Longplayer', you become part of this long and hopeful continuum.
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| Singing Bowl 'Serenity'. |
Support 'Longplayer'
This ambitious project and future 'Longplayer Live' performances require funding.
'Longplayer' costs £100 per day to look after and, as a nonprofit charitable organisation, needs donations to survive.
The 'Longplayer Trust' has various ways for people to become involved in this unique piece of history. You can sponsor a period of time, sponsor a bowl or simply make a donation of any amount.
For further information click on the link below.
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