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Join author Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin, composer, musician and author, to discuss his latest book, 'Quantum Mechanics and Avant-Garde Music - Shadows of the Void'.
'A thought-provoking, stimulating, and highly original exploration of deep metaphorical links between music and physics ... Highly recommended'
Professor Ian Stewart, FRS, author 'Whats the Use?'
About the book
Have you ever wondered about the connection between Pauli's exclusion principle and Schoenberg's dodecaphony? Or the symphonic echoes of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in the compositions of Stockhausen and Cage? This book not only poses these questions but skillfully uncovers the artistic answers, exploring interdisciplinary connections that bridge the gap between modern physics and contemporary music. Dive into philosophical discourses on time, witness the metamorphosis of Boolean algebra, bits, and qubits into musical notation, and discover the limitations of the 12-tone scale mirrored in the speed of light. The author's unique methodology offers a fresh perspective, linking the language of mathematics and physics to the creation of musical scores.
This book transcends the boundaries of physics and music, revealing the inevitable fusion of modern physics and avant-garde music in the twentieth century. Through meticulous research, the author showcases the profound impact of revolutionary ideas such as quantum physics and relativity on all aspects of life and demonstrates that modern physics and contemporary music were born not out of chance—their emergence and development were inevitable events. Delving into the historical accounts, he explores the musical endeavors of great physicists like Max Planck and Albert Einstein, unraveling the quantum entanglement of physics mirrored in the extended techniques of contemporary music and unveiling the musical universe of Werner Heisenberg through captivating personal encounters with his descendants.
Crafted for general readers and seasoned experts alike, the book maintains clarity and style, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing depth. This pioneering exploration not only draws connections between modern physics and music but also serves as a unique bridge for scientists, musicians, and the curious general audience. Requiring no formal background in physics or music, the book is a compelling read for those intrigued by the uncharted territories where science and art converge, offering a concise and illuminating journey into the shadows of the void.
About the author
Rakhat-Bi Abdyssagin started composing music at the age of 10. He completed the regular 7-year course at the music academy in 3 years while also studying at an Almaty gymnasium. He became a student of Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatoire at the age of 13, started his Master program at Kazakh National University of Arts at 17, did an internship at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatoire (Russia) and defended his thesis at 18, thus obtaining a MA in Art Criticism. In 2015 he joined the International Council for Traditional Music and became the youngest speaker of the ICTM World Conference.
In 2019 Abdyssagin became the youngest PhD student of Academy of St. Cecilia in Rome (majoring in composition) and later got his PhDs from Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi in Milan and Conservatorio Cesare Pollini in Padua (majoring in piano).
In 2022, Verlag Neue Musik Berlin released his Selected Solo Works (Sammelband), a collection of solo scores written specifically for every symphony orchestra instrument. Rakhat-Bi is the second composer in the world to have completed such a large-scale project (he is preceded by the great Luciano Berio (1925-2003) with his cycle of sequenzas)
The talk will be followed by a Q&A.
This event will take place in the Department of Physics and will also be livestreamed. It is free to attend but registration is required; please register using the link below.