Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Bach, the Universe & Everything: Astronomical Instruments
- When
- Sun 4 Oct · 11:30
- Where
- King's Place, London
The programme
DERING Factum est silentium JS BACH Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (Ah God, look down from heaven), BWV 2
The evening
Steven Devine series music director/organ
with Laura Joy Pieters guest speaker
Wonder meets reason in our season opener. A Bach cantata that bridges worlds, alongside scientific artefacts that reveal how looking beyond our home planet has helped humanity to find its place in the Universe.
In Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein Bach draws together old and new styles. For the words of Martin Luther, he builds on the Renaissance motet tradition, with its intricate weaving vocal lines. For the more contemporary poetry he adopts the modern ‘concerto’ style, infusing colour, drama and remarkable musical invention.
Our guest speaker, Laura Joy Pieters introduces us to the astronomical instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries. Through them, she reveals how astronomy shaped the worldview of their age—and how it continues to shape our understanding of ourselves and the universe today. Laura Joy Pieters is Curator of Mathematical Sciences at the Science Museum in London, an actress and visual artist.