Scottish composer Eddie McGuire’s five astronomy-inspired pieces of music have never been played before as a complete series. Here, to celebrate his 75th birthday, you can hear them together.

First comes the Big Bang, with trumpeter Bede Williams, who then provides both parts for two trumpets in Orbit. Members of the Wallace Collection perform Five Stars in Auriga, where each instrument represents a star in the constellation.

Earthrise (symphonic poem for brass band) is played by the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, and Symphonies of Galaxies is performed by the University of St Andrews New Music Ensemble and recorded by staff and students from Fife College’s Sound Production courses.

Selena S. Kuzman’s films respond to the music’s flow with imagery reaching out from the Earth to the Solar System and beyond, to stars and galaxies, swirling nebulas and glowing dust clouds.

You can read more about the event on the website and also read Eddie McGuire's background description for Symphonies of Galaxies.
https://oisf.org/fest-event/but-oh-th...
https://frontiersmagazine.org/symphon...

Five Stars in Auriga was part of a presentation in the 2021 Orkney International Science Festival online, with a narrative about five famous people from the Scottish Borders whose lives were linked by astronomy and space.
   • FIVE STARS IN AURIGA