Collaborative concert has odd coupling

Musicians, scientists team up for performance

It’s not as obvious as chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. It’s not as famous as Bonnie and Clyde. Instead, like Felix and Oscar, this might be considered one odd couple.

Musicians and astronomers from the University of Washington are collaborating to produce “A Little Night Music,” a Feb. 8 concert at 8 p.m. in Meany Theater. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for general admission. The evening will combine nonstop music with a variety of astronomical images.

But the coupling of the two seemingly different disciplines isn’t as unusual as it might appear, according to Robin McCabe, director of the school of music.

“There is a lot of poetry in science, I’ve always thought,” she said. “I’m hoping the concert will confirm that.”

The collaboration between the UW school of music and the department of astronomy will feature music from “Clair de Lune,” Strauss’s “Der Abend,” “Round Midnight,” and, of course, “Star Wars.” Some of the astronomical images will include moons, galaxies and solar flames. Dr. Craig Hogan, astronomy chairman and a cellist since age 12, will provide succinct insights to help the audience bridge the music and images.

“The night sky has fascinated people for hundreds of years, as they tried to capture and explain it in words, music and images,” said McCabe. “We hope that ‘A Little Night Music’ will show how artists and scientists can come together to create an event that will appeal to a wide range of people.”

McCabe shares Hogan’s interest in both science and music. In fact, she said chemistry was her favorite subject in high school. Success as a concert pianist, she said, is the one thing that kept her from pursuing a career in medicine.

Geoffrey Boers, a member of the school of music’s choral conducting faculty, has organized and staged the concert.

“The music comes from a wide range of periods and styles - from classical and jazz to blues and electronic music, from solos to large groups, vocal and instrumental,” he said. “Everyone will find something appealing.”

A Little Night Music

When: Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m.

Where: Meany Theater

Tickets: $10 general, $8 for students and seniors. To reserve tickets, call (206) 543-4880. ¶

Steve Hill