Another 'Hits' compilation, complete with far-out track descriptions. This
album was subtitled 'Impressions of an Astronaut'.
All the pieces on this album are re-titled tracks from other Tomita albums with
the disclaimer "Contains Previously Released Material". 'Space Walk' is out of
print on CD.
Opening the Hatch [Grand Canyon Suite: Sunrise] <Grofé>
The sweeping curve of the earth darkly outlined - the growing
brightness behind as the orbiting ship approaches the sun - gasping in awe
at the first unconfined view - safety of the ship underfoot - walk to the
interface between ship and space - check suits, equipment finally -
Leaving the Ship [Pictures at an Exhibition: The Gnome] <Mussorgsky>
First separation from the ship - hesitation - apprehension,
fear - no time to feel, observe - check, re-check space gear - tentative -
jet spurts into space and then -
Floating Free [Mother Goose Suite: The Fairy Garden] <Ravel>
The exaltation of limitless unconfinement - the ultimate
freedom - a true satellite orbiting the earth - like no other earthling -
a monumental but quiet joy.
Somersaults in Space [Children's Corner No. 4] <Debussy>
Now a boisterous joy in freedom from confinement and
gravity - instant, effortless movement by spurts from the control jets -
no friction, no up, no down - majestic play far above the earth - The
Earth -
Orb of Beauty [Symphony No.6: First Movement] <Prokofiev>
Familiar continents unfold under feathery wisps of clouds -
there, someplace, is home - the classic curve - humility, awe - reflection -
alone - sadness - utter quiet.
Get to Work [Pictures At An Exhibition: Limoges] <Mussorgsky>
But nothing works as it does in familiar gravity -
a new coordination, orientation - work by remote control - no direct
contact - hands on: impossible - try, re-adjust, re-calibrate - try to
forget gravity, friction atmosphere, feel, sound -
No Sound in Space [Preludes Book 1 No. 10: The Engulfed Cathedral] <Debussy>
The ultimate disorientation - imagine sound - metal
striking metal, whistles, bells, voices - can silence be the ultimate
harmony? - no, confusion, humiliating - back to the familiar comfort
of the ship - try again later.
The Orderly Beauty of Space [Preludes Book 1 No. 6: Footprints In The Snow] <Debussy>
The same laws of nature prevail as on earth, and yet -
textbook physics, the laws of Newton made no preparation for this -
logic, yes - sanity, yes - but rapturous, sensuous beauty in adhering
to those laws - the mind will not compute - can't understand it -
so -
Coordinated Activity [Pictures at an Exhibition: Tuileries] <Mussorgsky>
Disciplined movements - harmony with space - purposeful
actions - the unknown now experienced, but the unknown generates -
Fantasies of Science Fiction [Scythian Suite: The Adoration of Venus and Ala] <Prokofiev>
The impossible world of Buck Rogers - Star Wars - strange
worlds - weird creatures - galaxies in revolt, competition - unconstrained
imagination - may it be a reality? - this once was real only in theory -
yet looking at the vast curve of earth, isn't life there the only
reality?
Thoughts of Home [Mother Goose Suite: Pavan of the Sleeping Beauty] <Ravel>
Reveries of home, family - the raptures of earthly pleasures -
the pursuit of human values - the expression of man's emotions - relationships -
love - here, accomplishment, aesthetic experiences, scientific sophistication
and -
Survival Through Technology [Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2: Montagues and Capulets] <Prokofiev>
Feelings of being machine-being interface - reliable to the
limit of man and machine resources - is that enough to assure survival? -
concept of complexity - factors of technical confidence - redundancy upon
redundancy built in to anticipate any malfunction - any? - frightening -
but risk is a part of life - so -
Unsettling Peace [Valse Triste] <Sibelius>
A thoughtful, conditional calm - emotions, impressions
blending into confusion, contradiction leading to -
Unanswered Question [The Unanswered Question] <Ives>
Will space always be a lonely conundrum? - is the ecstasy
of freedom in space a curious anomaly? - don't look for answers - get
the job done - get back to earth.