a musical coincidence

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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.

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In the spring of 1985 I was at an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of Handel. The exhibition contained several portraits and a number of music scores. Not unnaturally there was some background music going on as one walked round it. At the time I was visiting, the music was the composer's Music for the Royal Fireworks. And on a music stand was the original manuscript of... the Musc for the Royal Fireworks. As I approached the exhibit I noticed it was open at the movement called La Rejouissance. And the music playing was... La Rejouissance. So I was able to follow the original manuscript with my eyes and the music on 'original instruments with my ears at the same time. What were the chances of that happening?
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Date submitted:Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:48:33 +0000Coincidence ID:3737