“Bach, Big Data, Math and Music,” U-M prof. Daniel Forger — April 15

Daniel Forger, organist and professor of math, computational medicine and bioinformatics, will present “Bach, Big Data, Math and Music.” Wednesday, April 15 12:15 p.m. Community Lounge of the School of Public Health I. 1415 Washington Heights Bio: Daniel Forger is a Professor of Mathematics and Research Professor of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan. He is also an Associate of the American Guild of Organists, won a McCord Prize in Music, and has studied organ performance with many teachers, including James Kibbie. Description: Trio Sonata #2, BWV 526 by J.S. Bach Trio Sonata #4, BWV 528 by J.S. Bach Public Health is currently being revolutionized by mathematical techniques analyzing “Big Data.” Can similar techniques can be used to understand music? Forger will argue that organ music has been subject to “Big Data” for at least 100 years, as modern keyboard action transforms each note played into a simple on and off command to a pipe. Forger will also argue that the Bach Trio Sonatas are ideal candidates for “Big Data” analysis since: 1) Bach is the natural starting point for musical analysis. 2) The trio sonatas were important to Bach. and 3) The trio sonatas have a very uniform structure. Forger has captured this code generated by his performance of the Trio Sonatas, by hacking into the modern organ in his home, and analyzed it, using some preliminary mathematical techniques. As he performs the Trio Sonatas, graphs showing preliminary analysis will be presented. These are informal events to which you are invited to bring your lunch (pack your own or stop by the Glass House Café at SPH). Programs begin at 12:15 and conclude in time for you to reach your 1:00 appointments.