Fractals & Fugues: Mathematics in Music – Talk by Prof. Sarah Hart (Sheffield)

Discover the hidden mathematics behind music, pattern, and emotion

What do magic squares, fractals, and probability theory have to do with music? Why does a Bach fugue feel so satisfying — and how can numbers explain its emotional power?

In Fractals & Fugues: Mathematics in Music, acclaimed mathematician Sarah Hart explores the deep and surprising connections between numbers and notes in this engaging and accessible talk.

What the talk explores

Professor Hart delves into the mathematical ideas that underpin musical structure and creativity, including:

• How pattern and symmetry shape musical composition

• The mathematical architecture of a Bach fugue

• The role of fractals and probability in music-making

• Why Pythagoras’s discoveries still matter for how music affects us emotionally

The talk is designed to be entertaining and approachable, with no specialist knowledge of maths or music required.

About the speaker

Sarah Hart is Professor Emerita of Mathematics at Birkbeck University of London and Gresham Professor of Geometry. She is also the author of the popular book Once Upon a Prime, known for making complex mathematical ideas accessible and enjoyable for general audiences.

Her talks are celebrated for their warmth, clarity, and sense of wonder — perfect for anyone curious about how maths and music intersect.

Part of Music in the Round Sheffield

This event forms part of Music in the Round Sheffield’s Percussion, Pattern & Primes weekend.

Booking offers

• Save 20% when booking 10 or more Music in the Round Sheffield events in one transaction

• Save 10% when booking 5 or more events in one transaction

🎟 Tickets & full details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/fractals-fugues-mathematics-in-music