CD in 6-panel Digipak A soundtrack tuned to the timescales and rhythms of human life on earth! In Greek mythology “Chronos” is the personification of time. On composer and electronic musical visionary Michael Stearns’ 1985 album, Chronos serves as the tempo of a cascade of celestial movements, terrestrial sonic luminance, and morphic electronic harmonies. Composed as the soundtrack for the IMAX film by cinematographer Ron Fricke, these 8 tracks combine to form a continuous 43-minute pandimensional experience, a sensual sound voyage with stops throughout the ancient and modern worlds. Scored as the film was shot, Stearns’ Chronos leads us through earthbound and aerial spaces, the long plains, the cosmos, the big cities and the tracing of the spiritual and corporeal lights which inform each movement. The symphonic and majestic main theme in “Corridors of Time” hints at vast spaces and soulful longing flowing with cosmic poetry. The track reaches a powerful crescendo resolving in ghostly atmospheres, driving escalator steps and whispered voices. It returns half an hour later weaving into the themes of the swelling incandescent tapestry of the final two movements.
Working seamlessly with director-cinematographer Ron Fricke, composer Michael Stearns embraced the roles of soundtrack producer, music supervisor, sound editor, and sound effects producer — effectively creating the sonic and emotional context for every scene in Chronos. This rare unity of music, sound, and image elevated the film from an unusual documentary to a classic work of art.
In the tumultuous years since the 1985 release of Chronos, it’s been easy to forget how innovative this film was. Its subject matter, motion-controlled time-lapse visuals, and powerful wordless soundtrack all broke new ground — redefining what was possible in the immersive / giant screen / surround sound format.
— Stephen Hill, Hearts of Space
One cannot be closer to the cosmos and life on earth than listening to Chronos, a deep cosmic symphony. That was (when) I realized that Electronic Music could definitely have a soul.
— Synth & Sequences
Michael Stearns on “Chronos”:
Chronos was one of the most inspired musical pieces I’ve had the fun of creating. Having an hour-long reel of tape to record one ‘longform’ piece of music, start to finish… in surround!… For amazing time-lapse large format film / images… And being paid to do it! Couldn’t be better! Chronos gave me the canvas to paint musically with an amazing array of instruments. From Constance Demby’s “Space Bass” on the opening track, the Serge Synthesizer, the Beam, acoustic instruments… an incredible musical palette. (...) "Remastered version of Chronos takes on a vibrant new life; I’m so impressed with the sound of these releases on Projekt. They bring excitement and magic back into the unfolding of this seminal piece of my work.
Released Early November 2022 by Projekt.
Tracks Listing:
01. Corridors of Time
02. Essence and the Ancients
03. Angels, Bells and Pastorale
04. Escalator
05. Voices
06. Portraits
07. The Ride (Finale)
08. Credits
English