Immortalised by Stanley
Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Blue Danube has
long been seen as the unofficial anthem of space. Yet in 1977, when
NASA launched the Voyager Golden Records, a curated portrait
of Earth in sounds, images and 27
songs, Strauss's waltz, perhaps the most celestial
composition ever written, was notably absent, according to the Vienna Tourist Board.
The board adds that now, thanks to the 'Waltz into Space' mission, this
oversight has been corrected in true Viennese style as the happening marks the 200th anniversary
of Johann Strauss II. At last, the famous Viennese waltz became a part
of humanity's message to potential extraterrestrial life.
Stefan
Bauernberger, Creative Director at Jung von Matt
DONAU, says, "If aliens ever find us, let the first thing they hear be a waltz."
The
celestial send-off took place on Saturday, 31 May, where the Wiener Symphoniker, conducted
by Petr Popelka, performed The Blue Danube live in the grand
halls of the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts). According to the board, this event was transmitted via the Deep
Space Antenna 2, one of the most advanced communication instruments on
Earth, travelling at the speed of light into deep space.
In just 23
hours and 3 minutes, it overtook NASA's Voyager 1, making The Blue
Danube the furthest-travelled waltz in human history, says the board. Audiences from around the globe joined the mission via
livestream, as well as at live-viewing events in Madrid, New York,
Cebreros and Vienna.
Before The Blue Danube left Earth, more than 13 743 people from
over 90 countries had already become SpaceNote ambassadors, each adopting a note from the original score. Their names will travel through the galaxy alongside the
waltz. Amongst them are cultural icons, scientists, musicians and visionaries,
including the President of Austria, Alexander van der Bellen, says the board.
Norbert Kettner, CEO of the
Vienna Tourist Board, says, "The successful realisation of the 'Waltz into
Space' mission is a testament to Vienna's unique ability to blend tradition
with innovation. We are proud to have collaborated with the European Space
Agency, whose willingness to support this exceptional project is an honour and
far from a given. Our sincere gratitude goes to all partners and supporters who
made this cosmic celebration of Vienna's cultural heritage possible."
Mike Nagy, Executive
Creative Director at Jung
von Matt DONAU, concludes, "In a time when space exploration is becoming
increasingly private and commercial, 'Waltz into Space' reminds us that
culture, not just technology, is humanity's gift to the universe."
For more information, visit www.space.vienna.info. You can also follow Vienna on Facebook, Instagram, or on TikTok.
*Image courtesy of contributor