On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, from 22:00 to 23:00, St. Mary’s Cathedral (Mariendom) in Linz will become the setting for a revolutionary performance that brings together quantum physics and classical music in a way the world has never seen before. Prepare to witness the extraordinary at "BruQner – The Sound of Entanglement", where the boundaries between science and art will be blurred in a mesmerizing fusion of lasers, mirrors, quantum entanglement, and live music.
The Concept: Quantum Technology Meets Classical Music
At the heart of the BruQner project is the second quantum revolution. A cutting-edge experimental setup featuring lasers, mirrors, polarisers, and non-linear crystals will be installed in the cathedral, turning it into a high-tech lab. The true stars of the performance, however, are entangled photons – quantum particles of light. These photons will take on the role of conductors, randomly determining musical notes based on Anton Bruckner’s Perger Prelude in a way that no human could replicate.
This unique performance will feature two magnificent church organs played live by renowned organists Wolfgang Kreuzhuber and Gerhard Raab. The music will fill the vast space of the cathedral, offering an unparalleled auditory experience that merges the sublime architecture with the mysterious world of quantum mechanics.
How It Works: Quantum Mechanics in Action
While the concert is inspired by Bruckner, the music will be composed in real-time by the quantum mechanical experiment. The use of Bell's theorem in this setup allows for quantum correlations stronger than what classical physics would permit, generating musical notes that are random yet interconnected in ways that defy conventional expectations . These notes will be passed to the organists to play, ensuring that every performance is not only unique but a true reflection of quantum phenomena.
As Richard Küng of Johannes Kepler University Linz explains: “Quantum physics is different from what we experience every day... Music seemed like an ideal way to not only explain quantum physics, but also make it more tangible and audible, using the other senses.”
A Collaboration of Art and Science
The BruQner event is far more than just a concert – it represents a remarkable collaboration that brings together leading scientists and artists from multiple universities to bridge the gap between art and quantum science. Musical director Clemens Wenger has joined forces with visual artist Enar de Dios Rodríguez, alongside experimental physicists Martin Ringbauer (University of Innsbruck), Benjamin Orthner (TU Wien), and Philipp Haslinger (Universität Wien), as well as theoretical computer scientists Richard Küng, Johannes Kofler, and Alexander Ploier (JKU Linz). This interdisciplinary teamwork across institutions has resulted in a groundbreaking performance that challenges our understanding of reality and demonstrates the profound connection between music, science, and the collaborative power of academic institutions.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, September 4th, 2024
- Time: 22:00 to 23:00
- Location: St. Mary’s Cathedral (Mariendom), Linz
- Admission: Free
- Language: English
- Accessibility: Limited wheelchair access (some assistance required)
- Special Effects: Use of fog fluids
This world premiere, supported by Ars Electronica, the Upper Austrian KulturEXPO Anton Bruckner 2024, and various research institutions, promises to be a spectacle like no other. Don’t miss this chance to experience quantum science as you’ve never imagined – through the powerful medium of live music.
For all those who cannot attend the first performance, there will be another opportunity on September 6. It will be held in German and will begin at 16:00. 🌟
For more information, visit the event page here.
Join us at Domplatz 1, 4020 Linz, and be part of an unforgettable journey into the sound of entanglement!
