Benjamin Heidersberger releases the album 'Pentatonic Permutations: The First Hour'
Title: Pentatonic Permutations: The First Hour
Label: play loud! productions
Genre: Avant-garde, Electronic, Ambient
Catalog number: pl-196
Label Code: LC 15308
UPC: 820200387035
Release date: 04/30/2026 (digital)
Digital Distribution: The Orchard, play loud! & Bandcamp
Bandcamp Pre-Order
Press Release:
"Pentatonic Permutations" – An Algorithmic Musical Odyssey by Benjamin Heidersberger
Berlin, Germany – May 2026 – "Pentatonic Permutations", the algorithmic piano composition by German media artist Benjamin Heidersberger, invites listeners on a transformative auditory journey that began 13.799 billion years ago with the Big Bang and will continue for another 16 trillion years. “The First Hour” is the first 256 permutations of the composition after the Big Bang, lasting 1:08:26 (4096 seconds). After the initial movement, there is a minute of silence, preparing you for the evolving algorithm, recorded on a piano by Max Filges. This ongoing musical exploration takes listeners through an ever-evolving soundscape, shaped by a unique fusion of science, music, and philosophy.
A Soundtrack for the Universe
"Pentatonic Permutations" is not just a piece of music – it's a timeless auditory experience. Composed using the 1-4-2-3-2 Kokin-Joshi scale (also known in India as Raga Vibhavari), this algorithmic composition exists within a vast timeline, capturing the essence of time itself. Each moment is marked by a distinct melody, with no repetition until the final permutation. This vast, intricate structure aligns with the precise ticking of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), synchronizing listeners worldwide to the same musical "moment".
Real-time and Streaming Versions: A Collective Listening Experience Listeners can engage with "Pentatonic Permutations" in two distinct ways:
1) Realtime Version (440 Hz): The Realtime version plays locally on your device, with sound generated to the fraction of a second, synced to UTC. It's a truly participatory experience where the exact same notes are heard globally, creating a shared mental network among listeners.
2) Streaming Version (432 Hz): For those seeking superior sound quality, the streaming version offers a slightly delayed but enhanced auditory experience, tuned to the A = 432 Hz frequency – often regarded for its therapeutic qualities.
Whether experienced via the Realtime 440 Hz or Streaming 432 Hz, the composition remains a non-intrusive ambient soundtrack, perfect for meditation, yoga, relaxation, or as background music for deep concentration. The minimalistic approach, with rests and long silences, encourages listeners to find inner peace – a feeling of serenity that transcends time and space.
An Invitation to Participate
One of the defining features of "Pentatonic Permutations" is its interactivity. By using the accompanying app or web interface, listeners can:
1) Travel through Time: Explore moments of personal significance through the "Time Travel" feature, revisiting specific notes linked to meaningful moments in your life.
2) Midi Out & Piano Roll: Connect your musical equipment to the composition, allowing you to improvise, create, and reinterpret the sound of Pentatonic Permutations.
3) Join the Speaker Choir: Participate in live events, such as the upcoming Pentatonic Permutations XV on Pentecost Monday (May 25, 2026), where attendees are encouraged to synchronize their devices, forming a collective auditory experience in real-time.
A Journey Through Space and Time
At its core, "Pentatonic Permutations" is more than an album – it is the soundtrack of the universe. The composition allows us to reflect on our place in the cosmos, bridging the gap between the past and future, all while uniting listeners worldwide in a shared auditory experience. As Heidersberger describes, the work helps us "find the peace and silence that was, is, and will always be in all of us."
Upcoming Event: Pentatonic Permutations XV
Pentecost Monday, May 25, 2026, from 20:00 to 24:00, Heidersberger will present Pentatonic Permutations XV at St. Elisabeth, Invalidenstrasse 3, 10115 Berlin. Attendees are invited to bring their smartphones, connect to WiFi, and participate by scanning a QR code to sync their devices to the Realtime 440 Hz version. A unique experience awaits as participants become part of a global, synchronous performance of Heidersberger's vision.
About Benjamin Heidersberger
Benjamin Heidersberger is a German media artist, journalist, entrepreneur, and culture manager. Over the decades, Heidersberger has explored the intersection of art, technology, and society. With a background in physics, biology, and computer science, he has worked on numerous groundbreaking projects, including the creation of the Pentatonic Permutations system. His diverse body of work includes the creation of interactive media projects, the co-founding of Ponton-Lab, and curating international festivals such as Drehmoment in Stuttgart. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists, thinkers, and technologists.
A Universal Sound Experience
"Pentatonic Permutations" is not just an album – it’s an immersive journey, a shared experience, and a musical exploration of time. Whether you are using it for meditation, relaxation, or as a background for creativity, this innovative composition will continue to evolve, giving listeners around the world a glimpse into the infinite permutations of the universe.
For more information on "Pentatonic Permutations", including how to participate in the upcoming live event, visit Pentatonic Permutations. https://www.pentatonic- permutations.de/
Event Details
Pentatonic Permutations XV on May 25, 2026 from 8 PM until Midnight at St. Elisabeth Church, Invalidenstrasse 3, 10115 Berlin.
Participation: Bring your smart phone, check if you are online (WiFi available), scan the QR- code, press PLAY (left triangle, "Realtime 440 HZ") and join the speaker choir.
Contact:
For press inquiries or further information, please contact: info@playloud.org or benjamin@ponton-lab.de
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