Arts and Music (Audio)

Organist Brian Hoffman performs Bach’s Canonic Variations (BWV 769), Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her (“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”), in this masterful recording. To accompany the music, we revisit stunning Earth photography drawn from 50 Earth Serenade films featuring views of the Caribbean, the Sahara, the Aurora, the Pacific, and breathtaking sunsets. Together, the music and images celebrate both heavenly inspiration and earthly beauty. Series: "Earth Serenade" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40989]

We travel abroad the ISS at with these images of Europe to the Red Sea at night. The music is the wonferfully joyous Sinfonia from Bach’s Cantata 29, performed by organist David von Behren at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Series: "Earth Serenade" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40988]

Nature's fury can be devastating on Earth. Typhoon Nepartak over the South China Sea in 2016 caused severe damage and deaths in China, Taiwan and the Phillipines. Yet seen from the International Space Station, the typhoon looks surprisingly serene. These artfully photographed images from astronauts aboard ISS 48 are set to the music of Catherine Brisset and her cristal Baschet, a unique glass keyboard with fanciful metal shapes to help the mysterious sounds resonate. Brisset plays a variation on Bach’s Sonata #2, the Grave movement, with such subtle and emotive touch. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40977]

Rivers shape the Earth, and music shapes our soul. In this lovely, serene flight aboard the ISS, we trace the sinuous paths of inter-playing rivers, from inland North America to the Gulf of Mexico. Sit back and enjoy the journey, with music by Nathan Gunn. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40973]

Take a stunning journey across Earth as seen from space, captured by the astronauts of ISS 69 on July 30, 2023. This film soars over the Greek islands, Turkey’s rolling mountains, cloud-covered Ukraine, the Volga River flowing into the Caspian Sea, and a glowing sunset over Mongolia. The breathtaking visuals are set to music by Steve Thomas Guitar, featuring tracks adapted from his Folktales and Fusions album, with performances by Chris Cheek (alto sax), Rosie Caine (harp), Josh Metz (bass), and Claire Arenius (percussion). Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40957]

In their 2020 documentary series Move, French filmmakers Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai take viewers on a tour of the world of dance, shining a spotlight on the artists that shape the art of movement. In this program, UCSB's Stephanie Batiste talks with Jon Boogz and Lil Buck, who have shown throughout their careers that street dance is a form of high art - with artistry and originality. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40738]

Enjoy the beautiful and meditative music of Johann Sebastian Bach's Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende (“Who knows how near to me is my end”). The music is conducted by Rudolf Lutz with the Chor & Orchester der J. S. Bach-Stiftung, and is set to images from various astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40952]

Kuiyi Shen, Professor of Art History, Theory, and Criticism at UC San Diego, offers a fascinating look at Japanese art during the Nara period, a golden age of court culture. He explores the Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji in Nara, from its monumental bronze casting to the throne imagery depicting the Western Paradise. Shen highlights the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) and their symbolic armor, influenced by China’s Tang Dynasty. He also examines the Shōsōin Imperial Storehouse, built to protect treasures from China, Korea, and Japan. Combining Chinese architectural elements with Japanese granary design, it stands as a remarkable example of cultural exchange and adaptation that shaped the art and architecture of the era. Series: "Osher UC San Diego Distinguished Lecture Series" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40870]

As part of the Earth Serenade series, enjoy Johannes Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem (Opus 45). This powerful music is performed by the orchestra and choir of J. S. Bach Foundation in Switzerland. The music is set to images of Earth taken from the International Space Station, sending messages of mortality, hope and redemption.

Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40881]

Earth Serenade presents some July 4th fireworks with exuberant and playful dance between violinist Angie Shyr and alto saxphonist Chris Cheek as we fly over the deep browns and reds of Sahara followed by night views of the Mediterranean. The images are from ISS 67. Enjoy this wonderful collection of Earth and music. Series: "Arts Channel " [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40880]