A musical composition inspired by a conversation between two Jesus Fellows is to receive its world premiere at the Southbank Centre, London in November.

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Dr Robert Laidlow, Career Development Fellow in Music at Jesus, has created a symphonic work titled ‘Exoplanets’ following an informal discussion with Professor Ray Pierrehumbert, Senior Research Fellow in Physics, about his interdisciplinary research to understand the climates, atmospheres, surfaces, interiors, dynamics, formation, evolution, and habitability on the many worlds both in our solar system, and throughout our galaxy.

Rob says, “This project began completely by chance when I sat next to Ray one day over lunch in the Mansell Room, and he explained to me his remarkable research on exoplanets, and its connection with musical ideas. I was completely inspired, and so began this project which translates a huge variety of exoplanet research data, ideas and discoveries into sound. Since then, it’s taken on a life of its own, leading to collaborations with exoplanet researchers across the UK, Switzerland and the USA, and two major symphony orchestras. This new composition is inspired by both these incredible exoplanets, and the methods scientists use to discover them, and aims to takes the listener on a cosmic, time-travelling journey to the strangest corners of our galaxy.”

‘Exoplanets’ was commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Interfinity Festival Basel. It will be performed as part of the LPO’s Harmony with Nature series on Saturday 29^th November. For more information, and to book tickets, click here.