Stargazer Soundtrack

Not many physicists can say they’ve soloed with an orchestra. This weekend, Case Western Reserve prof Lawrence Krauss gets the chance when he presents an astronomy-centered narrative while the Cleveland Orchestra performs Gustav Holst’s The Planets. NASA footage accompanies the action.

Holst’s suite comprises seven movements, one for each planet other than Earth. It was composed in 1914, before Pluto had been recognized; now that Pluto has been demoted, the piece is once again one with the cosmos. But don’t be surprised if the erstwhile planet makes an appearance. “To those of us who grew up with Pluto,” says Krauss, “it will always be a planet.”
Dec. 7-8, 8 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 9, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 10, 3 p.m.