Exploring the Planets Speaker Series: Writing the Words for Pluto and Voyager

On March 4, 2023, the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra (CVSO) will present “Holst’s Voyage of Imagination: The Planets”, a multimedia performance with UWEC’s Professor Paul Thomas presenting NASA images of these other worlds of our solar system. Included in the concert will be The Planets by Gustav Holst as well as two world premiere compositions by Dr. Jerry Hui, sung by Chippewa Valley Festival Choir. More info: cvsymphony.org/this-season

In the weeks leading up to the performance, CVSO and UWEC will bring a set of talks to the L.E. Phillips Public Library which will focus and expand on different aspects of this performance. See the full schedule below...

Thursday, February 9

Jess Vriesema: Exploring the Solar System
UWEC Physics and Astronomy Lecturer Jess Vriesema will describe the current and future status of humanity’s exploration of the solar system, describing recent discoveries and exciting new spacecraft missions in preparation.

Thursday, February 16

Nathan Miller: Tuning in the Music of the Spheres
UWEC Physics and Astronomy Professor Nathan Miller will discuss the relationships between music and physics. Come for an evening of exploring harmony both in the concert hall and throughout the solar system.

Thursday, February 23

Jan Carroll: Writing the Words for Pluto and Voyager
Poet Jan Carroll will explore her adventure of writing lyrics for two new musical compositions: one on Pluto, and one on the Voyager space probe, that will accompany Holst’s The Planets performed by the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra on March 4. After retracing the journey, she will read each poem.

Thursday, March 2

Jerry Hui: Musica Universalis - Myth, Beliefs, Holst (and a Black Hole)
Medieval philosophers believed that the movement of celestial objects form a music which only our souls could hear and which could influence our own health. Such pseudo-science has since been dispelled, yet our imagination continues to be captured by this mysterious music, shaped by our association of stars and planets with various tales about them. In this presentation, UW-Stout Professor Jerry Hui will explore these beliefs and the music they helped create. Plus, we'll listen to some celestial objects that do make sound!