The wavelengths of light from many of the stars can be discovered. We also know the speed of light. From these two facts, we can know their frequencies, and frequencies are musical notes.  What an incredible thing, to be able to ‘hear’ the sounds of our universe.
 Space at first, seemed to warrant single sounds echoing around in a vast well of silence, largely due to the huge distance between objects. However, if all the tones of the stars sound at once, this previously assumed ‘empty’ space becomes very noisy.  The piece therefore, is in constant juxtaposition between these two points. Each of the five star types, O, B, A, G/K and M, have been given their own musical identity (melodically, harmonically or rhythmically) suggested by the pitches they produce. Quite by chance, the star types that have been given a bright musical identity have also a brightness rooted in science, that of luminescence and heat. Perhaps the pitches (assigned by science – see Dr Paul Stevenson’s notes) suggest such brightness. Conversely, a medium heat star, suggested a gentler approach, and plays out a lullaby.
The construction of this piece was a massive task. The science had to be adhered to – otherwise it would cease to be collaboration between music and astrophysics.  Identities for the stars had to be sown from sometimes-meager beginnings of four or five notes, with ‘unrelated’ harmony. Textures had to be created to describe the remarkable tapestry of our universe.
Most of all, a journey is made; an awesome journey, traveling faster than light to the corners of our universe. 

“Stars do not just shine any old light; the spectrum of light frequencies they emit depends on the kind of stars they are, and the kind of elements they contain.  This piece uses the different frequencies from the different stars found in the universe to create a palate of sounds which reflect the entirety of stars old and new, near and far, which shine their light on us.”     [Dr. Paul Stevenson, Physics dept. University of surrey]

 Jill Jarman 2005