Rising of the Flower Moon
Pianist Dr. David Koerner Plays in the Moonlight
A multi-faceted experience of nature, music, and science. We celebrate the emergence of the full moon above the horizon of Macmillan Mesa with classical music related to moonlight and the night sky. Brief remarks by Dr. Koerner will deepen the listener’s understanding of the Moon’s perpetual cyclic influence and geological history in deep time. You will see the Moon with new eyes after this experience!

Program
Meditation I: Intro to the Moon
“Moonlight” Sonata – Beethoven
Meditation II: Moon in Time I – Lunar Phases
Nocturne Op. 27 #1 – Chopin
Meditation III: Moon in Time II – Lunar Cycles
Nocturne Op. 27 #2 – Chopin
Meditation IV: Moonlight Impressions
Clair de Lune (Moonlight) – Debussy
Meditation V: Water on the Moon
Jeux d’Eau (Playing Water) – Ravel
Meditation VI: Moon in Time III – Geological History
Et La Lune Descend Sur Le Temple Qui Fut
(The Moon Descends on the Ancient Ruins) – Debussy
Meditation VII: Moon and the Biosphere
Night Music – Bartok
Meditation VIII: Going to the Moon
Nocturne on the Planet Venus – Holst/Koerner

Dr. David Koerner is Emeritus Associate Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University. He began professional life as a musician but eventually yielded to a fascination with the cosmos and pursued astronomy and planetary science. His career subsequently focused on star and planet formation, astrobiology, and indigenous astronomy at the institutions of Caltech, JPL, University of Pennsylvania, and NAU. He revived musical life after retiring from NAU and completed an M.M. degree in viola and violin as well as a graduate certificate in piano performance. He currently plays violin with Dark Sky Quartet, viola with Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, and was a featured soloist with Orchestra Northern Arizona in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto and Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. Dr. Koerner premiered original astronomy-related piano compositions at Grand Canyon Music Festival and looks forward to more performances as part of his engagement as Grand Canyon’s Astronomer in Residence for Fall 2024.
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