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Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.
Log in to Spotify to save the songs. You can use desktop mode on smartphone browsers to remove the 30-second limitation on the Spotify player.

Brian Eno "An Ending (Ascent)"

Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks (1983)

"An Ending (Ascent)" by Brian Eno is a seminal ambient composition, first released in 1983 on the album Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks, created with Roger Eno and Daniel Lanois. Originally composed for the documentary For All Mankind, which chronicles the early years of NASA and the Apollo space missions, the piece was designed to evoke the emotional and existential experience of space travel12.

Musical and Emotional Qualities

  • The track is built on gentle, slow-moving melodies and ethereal synth textures, creating a sense of weightlessness and tranquility that mirrors the sensation of drifting through space32.
  • Unlike much of Eno’s other ambient work, "An Ending (Ascent)" features a clear, discernible melody, which enhances its emotional resonance and accessibility2.
  • The music unfolds gradually, with layers that swell and recede like waves, inviting introspection and a meditative state3.

Meaning and Interpretation

  • Transcendence and Letting Go: The piece is often interpreted as a sonic metaphor for endings and new beginnings—a journey of letting go, release, and ascent toward the unknown. The ascending melodies symbolize growth, hope, and the possibility of transformation3.
  • Universal Reflection: Because it lacks lyrics, the track encourages listeners to project their own experiences and emotions onto it, making it a deeply personal and cathartic listening experience. For many, it evokes both melancholy and uplift, touching on themes of nostalgia, acceptance, and peace3.
  • Human Aspiration and Unity: In the context of the Apollo missions, the track captures the awe and unity felt during humanity’s first steps into space—a moment of collective aspiration and wonder. It reflects both the fragility and potential of our species as seen from the vantage point of the cosmos4.

Cultural Impact

  • "An Ending (Ascent)" has been widely used in film, television, and sampled by other musicians, testifying to its enduring emotional power and versatility2.
  • It is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful and moving pieces in ambient music, capable of inspiring hope, reflection, and even a sense of communal longing for progress and unity4.

In essence:
"An Ending (Ascent)" is a timeless ambient masterpiece that channels the wonder, melancholy, and hope of both personal and collective journeys—whether ascending into space or navigating life’s own moments of transition342.