Water in all its facets -- flowing, pooling, astonishing us in violent plummets over mountain falls, rearing up to form colossal waves, or just serenely still -- moves us profoundly and always has. It's one of the most universal of human impulses: to make art inspired by water, that elemental necessity. Along with every other branch of the fine arts, musicians of course take water as a muse. You can hear it in rock songs like Hot Tuna's evergreen instrumental, "Water Song," or the Doobie Brothers' lovely ode to the Mississippi, "Black Water." You can chart that channel's run through numberless folk, blues and country standards. And you can certainly hear it in the grand concert hall, as classical composers from the earliest period have written great works hymning water's hold on our psyches. Our own Saint Louis Symphony's Assistant Principal Viola player, Christian Woehr, continues the tradition with his Water Worlds, A Musical Journey. This concert at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium (Clayton and Faulkner drives; 314-289-4400 or www.slsc.org) is performed by the Strings of Arda in association with the Saint Louis Science Center on Monday, November 4, and will feature visuals synched up to the music of three world-premiere pieces composed by Woehr. The material is inspired by the search for life in the wet worlds of the universe. The 7 p.m. event is free but reservations are very much recommended; additionally, the program is intended only for adults.
Mon., Nov. 4, 2013
