New Delhi: Popular Indian singer-composer Joi Barua has entered into an international collaboration aimed at merging NASA astrophysics with performing arts as he brings to life two pivotal songs that capture the wonder of the cosmos.
The initiative connects NASA’s COSI (Compton Spectrometer and Imager) mission, led by principal investigator John Tomsick at UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, with the global orchestral and multimedia project Cosmic Rhapsody.
Cosmic Rhapsody was created by the storytelling and songwriting duo of Susan Lim and Christina Teenz Tan, with French composer Manu Martin serving as the chief composer, orchestrator, and arranger for the entire orchestral work, says Assam-born Barua.
Cosmic Rhapsody is the second installment of the “ALAN” trilogy, conceptualized by Dr. Susan Lim and Christina Teenz Tan. It explores humanity’s journey into the “brave new world” of space exploration.
The project works in collaboration with NASA’s COSI mission. It features joint presentations alongside COSI Principal Investigator John Tomsick to showcase how science and art intertwine.
Joi Barua serves as a key composer for the project. His tracks—including “Star Among The Cosmic Clouds” and “Confetti Storm”—blend orchestral music with rock and soul sensibilities.
The production features world-class talent, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and the London Voices. Much of the music has been recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.
