On March 21, 2024, Derek Bermel, thrice-Grammy-nominated composer and clarinetist and past IAS Artist-in-Residence (2009–13), returned to the Institute to perform this spring-forward retrospective, celebrating three generations of American concert music.

Bermel was joined on the stage of Wolfensohn Hall by the award-winning Jasper String Quartet and pianist Steven Beck (NY Philharmonic/Talea Ensemble). They played music by Derek Bermel, Paquito D'Rivera, and Leonard Bernstein.

Prior to the performance, Bermel engaged in conversation with Helmut Hofer, Hermann Weyl Professor in the Institute’s School of Mathematics. Bermel and Hofer reflected on Bermel’s journey into a career in music, his fascination with astrophysics, and his time as IAS Artist-in-Residence, which saw him collaborate with Nima Arkani-Hamed, Professor in the School of Natural Sciences, on a musical composition.

The program was introduced by IAS Director and Leon Levy Professor David Nirenberg.

Wolfensohn Hall, Institute for Advanced Study, 1 Einstein Drive, Princeton, N.J.

March 21, 2024

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