Music And Lecture On Einstein’s Universe

From the Royal Society of New Zealand

For immediate release:

31 March 2009

Music And Lecture On Einstein’s Universe, 1-8 April, Nationwide

In a unique duet of lecture and concert, Professor Brian Foster of Oxford University and UK violinst Jack Liebeck explore Einstein’s life, his involvement with music, and the way his ideas have shaped our concepts of space, time and the evolution of the Universe.

As well as Einstein’s famous theory of relativity, Professor Foster discusses the discovery of radioactivity and how that led, through the development of particle accelerators, to the foundation of quantum mechanics. The lecture also outlines other modern ideas that are built on the work of Einstein, including the evolution of the Universe after the Big Bang.

Professor Foster also gives an update on the world’s largest particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. This opened last year near Geneva, and almost all the technology and the physics analysis behind it are based directly on Einstein's work.

The lecture is punctuated by musical interludes related to Einstein, including Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, some of Einstein's favourite music. At several points, the violin is used to illustrate ideas discussed in the lecture.

Einstein’s Universe ends with a duet for two violins by Mozart in which lecturer and soloist join forces, paying tribute to Einstein's lifelong love of chamber music.

Locations and dates:
Auckland, 7.00 p.m. Wednesday 1 April - Auditorium, Auckland Museum, Domain Drive
Palmerston North, 5.30 p.m. Thursday 2 April - Japan Lecture Theatre, Massey University, Tennent Drive
Wellington, 7.00 p.m. Friday 3 April - Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Museum, Cable Street
Nelson, 7.00 p.m. Saturday 4 April - Waimea College, Salisbury Road, Richmond,
Christchurch, 7.30 p.m. Tuesday 7 April - Great Hall, The Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard,
Dunedin, 7.00 p.m. Wednesday 8 April - St David Lecture Theatre, Cnr St David & Cumberland Streets

The tour of Einstein’s Universe in New Zealand is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand. In each centre the sponsors are: The University of Auckland, Massey University, The MacDairmid Institute, The Nelson Science Society, the University of Canterbury and The University of Otago.

ends

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