The shape of music

Music and mathematics are both arts that deal in patterns. In this event, a scientific exploration of music is paired with a piano recital, combining two complementary ways of appreciating sound, structure and beauty.

Inspired by a conversation at a recent London Institute event, Dr Thore Graepel explores if the concept of the octave can be brought into the visual domain. In this talk, he presents a new approach to visualising music, demonstrating a tool that allows audiences to hear and see music in real time and in kaleidoscopic glory.

His talk is followed by a recital from celebrated concert pianist Sasha Grynyuk featuring works by Chopin, Liszt and Ravel—composers spanning the evolution of the piano across a century of musical innovation. Chopin helped define the Romantic piano idiom, Liszt vastly expanded its technical and expressive possibilities, and Ravel created his works at a moment when the modern French school was reshaping pianistic colour and texture.

Event information

The event takes place on Wednesday 1 July at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which is on the second floor of the Royal Institution. Attendance is by invitation only. Arrival is from 5:30pm in the Old Post Room. Dr Graepel’s talk begins at 6 pm. The concert, which will be held in Faraday’s Study, begins at 6.20pm and is followed by drinks into the evening.

Programme

• 5:30pm Arrival and drinks, Old Post Room
• 6:00pm Dr Thore Graepel, “See Music!”
• 6:20pm Sasha Grynyuk plays Maurice Ravel, Valses nobles et sentimentales; Frédéric Chopin, Scherzo No. 1 and Franz Liszt, Variationen über das Motiv von Bach: Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, S.180
• 7:00pm Drinks, Old Post room