Unveiling Longplayer, a millennium of music

Jem Finer introduces Long Player, a musical piece designed to last 1000 years, starting from 2000. He discusses the absurdity of short-term millennium celebrations and his inspiration to create a tangible representation of a millennium through music. The mechanics involve playing six records at different speeds, creating a unique relationship that resolves every 1000 years. Singing bowls are used for their complex sounds. The future of Long Player is uncertain, but it aims to build a community of listeners and caretakers across generations until 2999, when it will restart.

What inspired Jem Finer to create Long Player?

• A need to create a popular music hit

• The mystery of time and its long-term nature

• A desire to celebrate the Millennium with fireworks

• A fascination with short-term celebrations

How does Long Player achieve its thousand-year duration?

• By repeating a short melody over and over

• By using a single record played continuously

• By changing the music every year

• By using six records played at different speeds

What role do singing bowls play in Long Player?

• They are decorative elements in the performance

• They are used only for special occasions

• They are essential for playing any part of the composition

• They are used to mark the end of each year

What is a key aspect of Long Player's future?

• It will adapt to technological, political, and cultural changes

• It will be discontinued after 500 years

• It will remain unchanged until 2999

• It will be updated with new technology every decade

What is the significance of the year 2999 for Long Player?

• It is the year when Long Player will be forgotten

• It is the year when Long Player will be sold

• It is the year when Long Player will be destroyed

• It marks the end of the composition's first cycle