Symplectic Geometry

Derek Bermel, composer, clarinetist, and IAS Artist-in-Residence (2009–13), chronicles how his conversations with Institute for Advanced Study Faculty member Helmut Hofer, Hermann Weyl Professor in the School of Mathematics, inspired him to write a symphony about symplectic geometry.

Derek and I had several conversations during lunches about the potential for “The Symplectic Piece.” And he continued to attend occasional lectures on the subject, searching for a way to map symplectic geometry onto a musical score.