Musical Prime Numbers in Base 7, from 2 to 20021 (4817 in Base 10) – Composition by Gennady Stolyarov II
You have never heard music quite like this before.
This is the musical expression, in Base 7, of every prime number from 2 to 20021 (4817 in Base 10). The video displays each prime number in Base 10 and Base 7, alongside the corresponding notation. It also presents the system for musically mapping the prime numbers, explains the rules for composing within this system, and discusses some of its possibilities.
This is not an entirely algorithmic composition, since the human-driven approach to splitting the notes representing each prime number enables the music to be as consonant as possible while adhering to the rules of the system. This work was composed by Gennady Stolyarov II between February 12 and March 4, 2021. It is played using the MuseScore 3.0 software. It is likely unplayable by a single human pianist, although two pianists might succeed in performing it.
Download the MP3 file of this composition here.
This composition and video may be freely reproduced using the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike International 4.0 License.
Remember to LIKE, FAVORITE, and SHARE this video in order to spread rational high culture to others.
See the index of Mr. Stolyarov’s compositions, all available for free download, here.
