The Beauty of Mathematics
Bach Der Herr denket an uns (The Lord hath been mindful of us) BWV 196
Dr Vicky Neale Whitehead Lecturer at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford
Steven Devine director
Sofia Larsson soprano
Hugo Hymas tenor
Jonathan Brown bass
Bach, the Universe and Everything is our very own Sunday service for inquiring and curious minds; a place to bond with music lovers and revel in the wonders of science.
The science
You’ve heard that some people find mathematics as beautiful as Bach’s music, but you’re not really sure why. Dr Vicky Neale is here to convince you it is, as she explores the intoxicating mysteries of prime numbers and how they push the limits of human understanding.
The music
BWV 196 is one of Bach’s first cantatas, written when he was in his early twenties for a friend’s wedding. It features a striking soprano aria, and an overall theme of ‘partnership’, with two factions of instruments uniting to become one.