Description
Based on an ancient scientific artifact from the 11th century, “Star-Taker” is an intrigue-filled work for young band by composer Laura Estes. Lots to do, and a lot to say in this one; your audiences will love it!
Program Notes
Have you ever wondered how ancient civilizations precisely calculated time and distance, plotted the position of the stars, and even forecast the future? Around 225 BCE, the Ancient Greeks invented a device to facilitate those calculations called an astrolabe. Refined in the Middle East over the centuries, astrolabes were hand-held metal discs with a pattern of wires, cutouts, perforations, and etchings of the known universe—like a map of the sky. Astrolabe translates to “Star-Taker” from the Greek word astrolabos, a combination of the Greek words astron (star) and lambanein(to take). Most educated people owned an astrolabe, especially astronomers and astrologers. Used through the 17th century, think of astrolabes as the smartphones of the ancient world.
The Verona Astrolabe is an 11th-century artifact that was discovered in the vault of a museum in Verona, Italy, by Dr. Federica Gigante of the University of Cambridge (England). It appears to have originated in Al-Andalus, now known as Andalusia. An expert on Islamic astrolabes, Dr. Gigante determined that not only is this astrolabe one of the oldest existing astrolabes in the world, but inscriptions in both Hebrew and Arabic indicate this astrolabe was adapted, translated, and corrected over the centuries by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian users in Spain, North Africa, and Italy.
“Star-Taker: The Astrolabe of Verona” is a fun way to teach ancient history that is still relevant today. Students will enjoy using various instrumental colors to create the sounds of the medieval world both melodically and harmonically. Finger cymbals, Tambourine, Triangle, and Gong help create the ambiance that brings the centuries to life. Feel free to use the Snare Drum with the snares off to further enhance the mood. I hope your students enjoy playing this piece and learning about the Verona Astrolabe. In the words of Dr. Gigante:
“When I visited the museum and studied the astrolabe up close, I noticed that not only was it covered in beautifully engraved Arabic inscriptions, but I could see faint inscriptions in Hebrew. This isn’t just an incredibly rare object. It’s a powerful record of scientific exchange between Arabs, Jews, and Christians over hundreds of years.”
Additional information
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