Sleeping with strangers!
Don’t feel bad if you nod off during this classical-music concert: That’s kind of the point.
Max Richter’s 8¹/₂ -hour-long “Sleep” is scientifically designed to help you doze. You can listen to the lengthy lullaby on streaming platforms — or experience it live this weekend.
Richter, who composed the music for HBO’s “The Leftovers,” believes in the importance of proper shut-eye. “The time you spend sleeping is really the only noncommodified time we have,” he tells The Post. “And most people aren’t getting nearly enough.”
For “Sleep,” which combines piano chords, electronic music and vocals, he worked closely with neuroscientist David Eagleman to mimic the rhythms of sleep and find the best zzz-inducing frequencies (“It’s the low, sonorous tones you’d expect,” he says).
Since its 2015 debut, “Sleep” has amassed a cult following, some of whom have turned up for performances across Europe, Australia and, most recently, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.
For the concert’s New York debut, 160 Beautyrest mattresses and beds will be wheeled into downtown’s Spring Studios, which will be equipped with blackout blinds. Dress tends to be casual, says Richter, who’s seen a number of people wearing animal onesies.
Doors for Friday and Saturday night shows open at 9, leaving concertgoers an hour and a half to settle into their beds before the American Contemporary Music Ensemble starts to play.
There’s no one right way to listen, Richter says: “Some people lie down right away and fall asleep; others sit upright and really try to stay awake to the whole thing to listen. Some move around a little and do some light yoga stretches.”
With any luck, you’ll manage to drift off at some point. But if not, that’s OK: Richter himself manages to stay awake throughout.
“I could never fall asleep listening to music!” he says. “My brain would be working the whole time.” Beautyrest presents Max Richter’s “Sleep,” Spring Studios, 50 Varick St. Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $250 on Eventbrite.com.