New concert format with Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and HZI researchers
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Friends of the HZI are presenting the first event in the Vienna “Sounds and Science” series in cooperation with the Staatstheater Braunschweig. A string quartet consisting of members of the Vienna Philharmonic, including concertmaster Rainer Honeck, will perform works by Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven, alternating with lectures by renowned scientists from the HZI. The concert will take place on 25 October 2024 at 7:30 pm in the Kleines Haus of the Staatstheater Braunschweig and will be moderated by the well-known actor Andreas Pietschmann.
Sounds and Science - Vienna meets Braunschweig
The event is based on the successful “Sounds and Science” concert series, which was launched in 2014 with the participation of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria. “With the ‘Sounds and Science - Music and Infections’ event, we are taking the HZI's science out of the ivory tower and combining it with music to make complex scientific topics accessible to a wide audience,” explains Prof Josef Penninger, Scientific Director of the HZI and initiator of the idea to bring the Viennese musicians to Braunschweig. “Art and science share the principles of creativity and originality. This format offers a unique opportunity to communicate scientific findings both emotionally and intellectually. It has already proven its worth in Vienna and Vancouver and offers the audience a profound and moving experience that combines research and music,” Penninger continues. “Our special thanks go to the Friends of the HZI, who made the realization of this extraordinary project possible.”
SOUNDS: An extraordinary ensemble of musicians
The concert is artistically directed by Rainer Honeck, the other performers are Rémy Ballot (violin and conductor), Hans Peter Ochsenhofer (viola) and Manfred Hecking (double bass). Dr Manfred Hecking, who works as an internal specialist at the Medical University of Vienna and is a former member of the Vienna Philharmonic, emphasizes the close connection between music and science: “Famous composers of the past are often regarded as icons of classical music, but they were also people who suffered from considerable physical limitations - possibly even more so than people today. However, 'Sounds and Science - Music and Infections' is not primarily about suffering and illness,” explains Hecking. “Rather, a musical 'red carpet' is laid out for the research and the researchers, on which they can communicate their findings to the public in a general form.”
SCIENCE: Medical histories of famous composers
In addition to the musical performances, “Sounds and Science - Music and Infections” provides unique scientific insights into the medical histories of famous composers.
Scientists such as virologists Melanie Brinkmann and Thomas Pietschmann, immunologist Kathrin de la Rosa and brain researcher and memory expert Martin Korte will give fascinating short lectures on the effects of infectious diseases on the lives and works of these musical geniuses, from Mozart to Beethoven. In addition, Josef Penninger, Scientific Director of the HZI, will give a keynote speech on the “Future of Life Science Biology”.
The concert will take place on 25 October 2024 at 7:30 pm in the Kleines Haus of the Staatstheater Braunschweig. Tickets cost 20 Euro (price category 1) and 15 Euro (price category 2). Students receive a 50% discount. Tickets can also be booked online via the Staatstheater box office. Ticketshop Staatstheaters Braunschweig
Friends of the HZI
Friends of the HZI supports the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in its mission to promote scientific exchange and advance innovative research. You too can become a member and make a concrete contribution to the promotion of young scientists, networking and knowledge transfer. You can find all information about the association at Friends of the HZI.
Contact: Dr. Hansjörg Hauser Director friends of the HZI Tel. E-Mail
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