“When... David Ibbett visualizes the terrain of Mars, he hears a full symphony.”
“A fusion of classical and electronic music created from cutting edge data”
Created in collaboration with NASA JPL and the Museum of Science, Boston, MARS SYMPHONY reveals the music of Mars in a groundbreaking planetarium experience with live orchestra. Flatscreen versions also available.
Immerse yourself in the real sounds of Mars’ winds, dust devils and seismic rumbles, joined by orchestral melodies created from data collected from the Red Planet and stunning original visuals from the Charles Hayden Planetarium. As with every Multiverse collaboration, the show is informed by a robust science team. Mars Symphony was created in collaboration with JPL, WPI, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and ETH Zurich, incorporating cutting-edge research and audio from the Perseverance Rover and Webb Space Telescope. The piece features narration by JPL Director Laurie Leshin.
“It was inspiring to see people enjoying the data, it essentially puts you on another planet to see these images”
Photos from the Charles Hayden Planetairum, Museum of Science, Boston
Now booking National and International Tour
Interested in booking or performing Mars Symphony?
Versions available for chamber or full symphony orchestra
Contact connect@multiverseseries.org
Press
The music of Mars takes over the Museum of Science - WGBH Boston NPR
Sonifying Mars, symphonically, with David Ibbett - New Scientist CultureLab
When composers and scientists join forces, it’s alchemy for the ears - A.Z. Madonna, Boston Globe
Martian sounds create music and melodies in new science-inspired symphony - NPR WMFE, article and podcast
Mars Symphony Feature on WGBH Culture Show, Boston
Bringing Mars to Earth with Music - Nautilus Magazine
Project Journey
Phase 1 of the project took place in August 2023, premiering two movements of music in a historic orchestral concert in the Blue Wing of the Museum of Science, performed by the Firebird Pops Orchestra and Multiverse Soloists. In Phase 2, the project moves to the planetarium, premiering in the Charles Hayden Planetarium Boston in 2024 before embarking on national tour.
The Music
Mars Symphony is composed by David Ibbett, whose score reveals the music of the red planet by transforming its natural sounds into Martian synths. Audiences are immersed in the rush of Mars’ winds, dust devils, and seismic rumbles, joined by orchestral melodies driven by the geography (areography) and light spectra from the Red Planet. The music sonifies research provided by a science team from NASA’s JPL, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and ETH Zurich, incorporating cutting-edge audio and data from the Perseverance Rover and Webb Space Telescope.
The Team
Music and Narrative by David Ibbett
Visuals by the Charles Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Science, Boston
Studio Production by David Ibbett
Research Contributed by:
Dr. Baptiste Chide, JPL - Perseverance Audio Recordings
Dr. Ben Holtzman, Columbia University, Dr. Amir Khan, ETH Zurich, Joshua B Russel, Syracuse University - Mars Seismology
Dr. Nicolas Randazzo and Justin Maki, JPL - Martian Core Sample Sonification
Talia Sepersky, Museum of Science - Symphony Narrative
Dr. June Wang, PDS Geosciences - MOLA Altimeter Data
JPL Opportunity, Perseverance and Ingenuity Teams
Dr. Martin Elvis, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
NASA James Webb Space Telescope
Audio Samples:
Perseverance Supercam Microphone, JPL
Moxie Instrument Operation Audio, MIT
Insight Lander Seismometer, JPL
Opportunity Rover Accelerometer Sonification, JPL
Voyager 1 Plasma Wave Sonifications, JPL
Our Sincere Thanks To:
The Firebird Pops Orchestra
Dr. Laurie Leshin of JPL
Dr. Justin Maki of JPL
Dr. Katie Stack Morgan of JPL
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Eric Zago and the Worcester Ecotarium
And the Entire Team at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory