A few years before the launch of the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (“GLAST”—renamed the “Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope” after the launch), Dr. Peter Michelson, the principal investigator of Fermi’s main instrument, approached his friend Pierre Schwob, founder of Classical Archives, and mentioned that he would be pleased if a musical offering could be organized for the launch. Recognizing that it was problematic to have a symphony orchestra stand by at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a launch which, in all probability, might be delayed, the two agreed that the scheduling of a live concert would be more appropriate for the first science symposium after launch, devoted to discussing results from Fermi’s first year in orbit. Schwob then commissioned his friend, Dr. Nolan Gasser, to compose a prelude (the GLAST Prelude for Brass Quintet) to be played, via a recording made by the American Brass Quintet, at the launch itself, in June 2008. That recording was accompanied by a video that NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) prepared for the occasion. In addition, Schwob asked Dr. Lawrence Krauss to co-write with him the narration of a full symphony, likewise composed by Dr. Gasser, which would illustrate the history of the Universe in roughly 40 minutes. Cosmic Reflection is the result of these efforts, and is accompanied by a video prepared by GSFC. The World Premiere of Cosmic Reflection will be performed by the Boston University Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro David Hoose, and narrated by Carey Harrison – who happens to be Pierre’s step-step brother. All of us are delighted to be involved in this signal endeavor which expresses our awe of nature, and our thanks to the arts and sciences for giving us a glimpse of our place in it.

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