Superstrings and violin strings
In an unique and stimulating double event, Oundle pupils and staff were treated to an exploration of the life of Albert Einstein and his defining contribution to our understanding of how the universe works. Tuesday 1st November saw the eminent physicist Professor Brian Foster, accompanied by the acclaimed young violinist Jack Liebeck, illustrating the quest for a unifying theory with music, images and a little simple cookery. In the evening Jack Liebeck gave a recital accompanied by pianist Charles Owen.
The lecture, originally developed for the World Year of Physics and the celebrations to mark 100 years since the publication of Einstein's seminal papers on relativity, delved into the problems faced when trying to make our understanding of relativity and of quantum mechanics compatible, and explored our current undertanding of the nature of matter, superstrings, and our attempts to evolve a unifying theory of everything.
Professor of Experimental Physics at Oxford University, Brian Foster has been appointed European Regional Director for the Global Design Effort (GDE), an international body that will coordinate the design of the world's next generation particle physics experiment, the International Linear Collider (ILC) - a 40 kilometre electron-positron particle accelerator.
Throughout the lecture music, including works by Bach, Boccherini and a recently composed piece Charged by Anna Meredith, punctuated the physics - Einstein played both the violin and piano, and would use music to help him think: "Life without playing music is inconceivable for me," he declared. "I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in life out of music."
The evening recital by Liebeck and Owen included sonatas by Debussy and Beethoven, the violin sonata in E flat by Richard Strauss, and The Madrigal Stanzas by Martinu, which were written by Martinu to be performed by his friend and devotee Einstein. Jack Liebeck, whose previous credits include sell-out recitals at the Wigmore Hall, performances with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and his nomination for a "Classical Brit" as "Young British Performer of the Year". He and Owen gave an outstanding performance.
Related links:
Superstrings Lecture.