Observer in the Magellanic Cloud (SINGLE)

In his latest commission by Chanticleer, composer and DJ Mason Bates captures a futuristic snapshot of two distant worlds briefly passing each other in celestial alignment. Observer in the Magellanic Cloud utilizes a chorus divided into two groups (the Satellites and the Maori), which are at times quite separate and at other times intertwined.  Bates offers these thoughts on the piece:

“Eons from now, a lost satellite floats in the Magellanic Cloud (Nubecula Magellani), a group of dwarf galaxies.  The satellite picks up a glimpse of ancient light from Earth.  The light is old because it has been traveling for so long, and it reveals a look into Earth’s distant past.

Focusing its telescope, this robotic observer witnesses the Maori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) chanting to the Magellanic Cloud, which appears as a cluster of stars when seen from Earth’s surface.  They invoke the power of the stars to bring bountiful food.  Distant future meets distant past in this brief moment.  Then the telescope retracts, the satellite floats on, and the Maori leave their vegetable shoots in thanks.”

Text & Translation

Tuputuputu atua
ka eke mai i te rangi e roa e
whangainga iho ki te mata o’te tau e roa e.

~

Magellanic Cloud, sacred one,
mounting the heavens,
cause all the new year’s growth to flourish.