Early Music in Space, pt. 2

Included aboard both Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977, a disc known as the Voyager Golden Record contained “sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth.” In other words, its contents were supposed to represent us as intelligent.

The record, among a number of things, contained music—classical, jazz, blues, popular, and traditional—from several countries. The following is a list of the early music that was included.

• Germany: J.S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto #2 in F major, 1st mvt., Munich Bach Orchestra (Karl Richter, cond.)
• Germany/Belgium: J.S. Bach, Gavotte en rondeaux, Partita No. 3 in E major, Arthur Grumiaux, violin
• Austria/Germany: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night’s aria), Die Zauberflöte, W.A. Mozart, Edda Moser, soprano, and the Bavarian State Opera (Wolfgang Sawallisch, cond.)
• Germany/Canada: Prelude and Fugue #1 in C major, Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 2), Glenn Gould, Piano
• Germany/United Kingdom: Fifth Symphony, 1st mvt., L. v. Beethoven, Philharmonia Orchestra (Otto Klemperer, cond.)
• United Kingdom: “‘The Faerie Round’ from Pavans, Galliards, Almains and Other Short Aires,” Anthony Holborne, Early Music Consort of London (David Munrow, dir.)

The last selection is, to me, the most fascinating since it was a recording of a renowned British director and period instrument ensemble (an ideal way to represent the U.K.).

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