Composition



In his opus Expansion of the Universe Austrian composer Rudolf Wakolbinger illustrates the history of the universe acoustically
The relation between mathematics and music has fascinated the composer since his studies in Vienna. In particular, he focused on converting light frequencies (colors) into pitch levels. For Expansion of the Universe, Rudolf Wakolbinger used microwave recordings collected by the US space agency NASA, where different colors represent the electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the formation of planets and galaxies. Rudolf Wakolbinger converts these colors into perceptible sounds, which serve as the composition’s formal framework.

The piece takes 13.8 minutes which relates to the duration of 13.8 billion years from the big bang until present.

The composition contains a total of 1.036 staves with more than 1.5 million notes, making it one of the most expansive works in music history. „Expansion of the Universe“ is using a sound-sculpture made up of 216 speakers to illustrate the history of the universe acoustically.



In Detail:
online version of the score

The evolution of the Universe
as a soundinstallation





  • Natural History Museum Vienna / 2017 © Andreas Pikal




  • Natural History Museum Vienna / Opening / Kardinal Christoph Schönborn / 2017 © Andreas Pikal




  • Curva Minore - contemporary sounds / Ernst Reijseger / Palermo 2017 © Julio Albarrán




  • Medialab Prado / Madrid 2016 © Julio Albarrán




  • Medialab Prado / Madrid 2016 © Julio Albarrán




  • Medialab Prado / Madrid 2016 © Julio Albarrán




  • Ars Electronica Festival / Linz 2016 © Andreas Pikal




  • Ars Electronica Festival / Linz 2016 © Roger Richter




  • Campus Festival - Universität Wien 2015 © Andreas Pikal




  • Campus Festival - Universität Wien 2015




  • Campus Festival - Universität Wien 2015




  • Campus Festival - Universität Wien 2015




  • Premiere / Kirche St. Andrä / Graz 2014




  • Prof. Heinz Oberhummer / Premiere / Kirche St. Andrä / Graz 2014




  • Premiere / Kirche St. Andrä / Graz 2014




  • Model of the Installation




  • Art Church St. Andrä / Graz 2014




  • Art Church St. Andrä / Graz 2014




  • Premiere / Art Church / St. Andrä / 9.10.2014 © Andreas Pikal


Composer



Rudolf Wakolbinger



Rudolf Wakolbinger was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, in 1983. He started composing early in his youth, drawing inspiration from a wide range of musicians such as Frank Zappa, the Industrial band “Einstürzende Neubauten” or Johann Sebastian Bach and Anton Webern.

Press



  • "A sensually
    body experience."


    — Martin Behr, SALZBURGER NACHRICHTEN

  • "A terrific musical work
    about the universe."


    — Prof. Heinz Oberhummer, SCIENCE BUSTERS

  • "A sky full of
    loudspeakers"


    — Martin Gasser, KRONEN ZEITUNG

Contact



LIQUIDCENTER
Ziegelofengasse 27/5/6, 1050 Wien
Martin Schlögl - 0650 3575357
kontakt@expansionoftheuniverse.net
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