14.8.2026

Review in Nature by Andrew Robinson:

Einstein

Brian Foster Oxford Univ. Press (2026)

Biographies of Albert Einstein seldom devote much attention to his violin and piano playing — but this insightful study by particle physicist and amateur violinist Brian Foster does just that. Einstein never allowed his playing to be recorded, “so the stature of Einstein the musician, in contrast to Einstein the scientist, will remain uncertain”. Yet Einstein often hinted at the importance of music in his scientific thinking: “Mozart’s music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe.”

Because of production problems at the printers, publication has been delayed from 5.2.26. However, the ebook has been released on this date.

25.2.2026

The production problems have now been fixed and copies are in the OUP warehouse for purchase.

22.3.2026

Update to the “Einstein photographs” page. Photo of Paul Albert Müller, possibly Einstein’s son, and a comparison photo of Einstein at a similar age have been added.

17.5.2026

A recording of the book launch at the Oxford May Music Festival on 3rd May, 2026, is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIlHKXgQP4

17.5.2026

The History of Science Museum in Oxford is hosting an event on June 18th, 2026 entitled “Einstein in Oxford: Thinking in Music” in which Professors Brian Foster and Roger Davies will be joined by author Andrew Robinson to discuss Einstein. Specially commissioned music by Zakiya Leeming will be given its world premier at the event. For more details and for booking see https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/event/einstein-oxford

21.5.2026

A recording of a lecture given at CERN in 2022 to celebrate 100 years of Einstein’s Nobel Prize has been added to the video page.

13.6.2026

Additional photographs added on the “Einstein photographs” page.

27.7.2026

Lecture “Einstein - A Life in Science and Music” at Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Cairns, QLD.