Melodies of the Moon: Laraaji’s Sun Piano/Moon Piano Performance at The Totality 2024 Festival

The Totality 2024 Festival in Hannibal, NY was a memorable event that took place following the Total Solar Eclipse and Laraaji’s performance of his Sun Piano/Moon Piano albums. Ambient/New Age music legend Laraaji shared insights about representing the moon’s energy in 12 musical notes, reflecting on his time at Howard University in the 1960s, and his experience observing the Total Solar Eclipse.

Cornell University Astronomer Dr. Nikole Lewis also participated in the event, discussing the necessary conditions for a Total Solar Eclipse to occur, as well as topics like extraterrestrial life, Carl Sagan, and more. The event was made possible by the support of the Simons Foundation as part of its In The Path of Totality Initiative.

Laraaji’s performance was a highlight of the festival as he shared his unique perspective on music and its ability to connect us with nature. He spoke about how he created his Sun Piano/Moon Piano albums by using solar energy to generate sound waves that represent the moon’s energy in 12 musical notes. He reflected on his experiences observing the Total Solar Eclipse and how it reminded him of his time at Howard University where he studied astronomy and physics.

Dr. Nikole Lewis added to the discussion by sharing her knowledge about the necessary conditions for a Total Solar Eclipse to occur. She also talked about various topics such as extraterrestrial life, Carl Sagan, and more. Her insights provided a scientific perspective on what makes these events so special and rare.

The festival was made possible through the support of the Simons Foundation as part of its In The Path of Totality Initiative. This initiative aims to promote science education and research in relation to celestial events like solar eclipses